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I am looking into getting a compressor and brush to start using for vehicles, base coating and some finer blending ect. I Live in Florida so mid summer I really do not want to be stuck outside all day painting. What are the options for airbrushing inside a room. I was thinking a backdrop setup with a square fan facing outwards in a window and painting right towards the window. Will this make it safe enough to paint inside or are there any good examples of indoor ventelation setups anyone has created for themselves? Also using a fan will I have to compensate much for the suction with my painting? Thanks. Any tips and advice is greatly appreciated.

You shouldn't really need additional ventilation for airbrushing - you've got paint, and regular air - you don't want to breathe it in, but it doesn't give off fumes or anything like when you're looking at spray paints.

Either AB inside a large box with three sides and a bottom, or make a LARGE dropcloth area - you will get paint more places than you would think if you don't (but it also comes up easily - I left a giant shadow grey line on my carpet the other day, came right out with pet cleaner.)

I highly reccomend you dont do it in a living quarters area. I spray in the basement workshop or at my workbench in the garage. Regardless, here are some sites with ideas, the last link I think is the best. Lottsa luck!

http://www.hobbyfanatics.com/index.php?/topic/4189-diy-spray-booth/

http://www.militarymodelling.com/news/article.asp?a=3661

http://www.radiocontrolzone.com/showthread.php?t=232062

http://model-railroad-hobbyist.com/node/808

http://www.armorama.com/modules.php?op=modload&name=Sections&file=index&req=viewarticle&artid=57

If you are only using acrylics I don't think it's a big deal. I only airbrush inside... it is a precision instrument, unlike using aerosol cans.

The only time I spray out of the window is when I blowing AB cleaner through the brush.

I had created a little paint box, with a cardboard box lined with newspaper... but I found it unnecessary after a while.

That said if you are using oils or enamels I would recommend NOT doing it indoors... though I just finished watching an AB tutorial DVD (Geoff Illsley) and he swears it's ok to paint with oils indoors as well.

I'd actually get a cheap respirator for airbrushing, even acrylics.

The fumes aren't harmful but you don't want to be breathing the particulates into your lungs. You can get a filtration mask for around $30 US that'll also protect you in case you want to switch to urethanes.

Yeah good point, I actually use one also. I got a box of N95's from Home Depot... and I also wear eye-pro.

Thank you for all of the replies. Definately lots of options to consider.

I made a little painting booth. Get a decent sized box- find a little fan (I got an 8$ 6" fan at wally world) cut a hole in the back of the box to to math the fan. Point the fan so it blows out the back.

I cut up one of the 3$ filters for my air conditioner so it fit inside the box- that keeps the paint out of the fan and diffuses the air flow.

DO NOT use a cheapo fan if you use enamel paints!!! The motor sparks could ignite the fumes. But tis safe with acrylics.


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I only use the little booth for when Im base coating stuff and pushing alot of paint.

When doing detail work the air pressure and paint flow are dialed down so far very little is coming out so theres no overspray.