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Hi

I see lots of videos, articles and advice on airbushing covering almost everything.

But, the one thing i can't seem to find is advice on airbrush set ups in terms of location and surroundings?

What do i need to think of when choosing where to airbrush?

To what extent do i need to protect the surroundings from overspray?
What are good ways to do this?

How much ventilation do i need?

Thanks in advance

Basicly you need as mutch space as a spray booth requires, paintdust WILL get everywhere.

trust me, i ignored a booth, my regular desk had as mutch paint on it as my minis did.

Ive been using my airbrush for 5 years almost 3 days per week, I dont agree with the idea of the paint going everywhere since the airbrush is quite weak, but if you want your work place to be always clean you should look to these paint stations with protections .

About ventilation, is a good idea to work with some window around, its not like you cant without window but I think is nice, also you can wear a mask, is a good idea, you will see a lot of modellers dont use the mask, this doesnt mean its not a good idea. You dont need any kind of extractor since this would be over kill.

Have fun with your airbrush

If you're just starting out a spray booth is definitely a good idea. They're usually cheap enough and will really protect your workspace. Every now and again I forget to turn mine on and the difference in blow back of paint is very noticeable.

Just be aware that they are very dirty, especially if you use rattle cans too, so even though most booths fold up, it's not really a practical thing to do. Paint will also escape underneath so put something under it to protect your work surface.

A mask is essential. Don't listen to anyone that says otherwise. You get a lot of blowback when using an airbrush and you don't want to be inhaling paint. Acrylic is one thing, but an airbrush will open doors to new techniques and you could be using enamels and thinners too. And there's no way in hell that metallic paints are safe to get in your lungs.

It's better to buy a mask than to find out in 20 years that Warplock Bronze was worse than asbestos.

Gloves are good to have too. I buy boxes of 100 disposable gloves and they last a good while. Paint washes off your hands easy enough, but can be a pain to get off your nails.

Like brush painting too, you want a good lighting setup.

A window is good to have close by too

I spray in a small spare room. I used to use a cardboard box, and it worked quite well.
But, a spray booth is much better, if you can get the hose out of a window.
The room does get a smell, as I use car screenwash to thin the paint. That blows though fairly easily though.

The compressor is stood in a cardboard box-lid, filled with spare packaging foam. It keeps most of the vibration noise down.

Hope you don't mind me asking a quick question in your thread if anyone got time to answer.

On my compressor it says that i shouldn't use it for more than 30-45 minutes. How long should i let it rest?
Is it enough to leave it 30min and then start again? Or longer?

 Farbrorstig wrote:
Hope you don't mind me asking a quick question in your thread if anyone got time to answer.

On my compressor it says that i shouldn't use it for more than 30-45 minutes. How long should i let it rest?
Is it enough to leave it 30min and then start again? Or longer?

As far as I know this is an overheating thing: You run it too long and the compressor has a chance of overheating and getting damaged. So you just want to leave it long enough for it too cool down again. I'd say 30 minutes is enough time for that - I don't think there's a hard number.

I use a double layer cardboard shoe box as my paint station, has gotten the job done so far. But I haven't yet worked with bigger models and never use rattlecans so YMMV.

I use the citadel model handle with the box, and a glove in the hand thats not using the airbrush as its getting paint from holding the mini in the box.