Many who are new to the world of airbrush often wonder if they can airbrush indoors (safely). Specifically in their home or apartment. If you are a part of this group, then don’t fret. As I too wondered the same when I began my airbrush journey…
Here we will be going into great detail on the topic of airbrushing inside. Both from a cautionary stand point, as well as, best practices when setting up an indoor airbrush studio…
To be honest, the majority of airbrush artist out there commonly are seen airbrushing indoors. Especially when airbrushing miniatures / models. But the thing is, is they are not commonly using toxic paints when doing so (such as urethanes).
For the most part they are using water based paint. For more info on airbrush paint options, refer to my latest post on the topic, Paint Types Ideal For Airbrush Use!
Anyway,
The way to safely airbrush indoors, is to do so with plenty of ventilation, a non toxic paint, and always wear a respirator that is qualified for paint use.
That being said, let’s dive deeper into the topic of airbrushing indoors, and the considerations to keep in mind when doing so.
Before Airbrushing Indoors Consider The Following
There are a few problems you could run into when it comes to airbrushing inside. However, when done properly, you can airbrush indoors, and do it in a safe mannor.
Below I have come up with a few topics worthy of your consideration before you begin to airbrush indoors. I’d recommend you take each of the following into great consideration.
Ensure You Have The Space
The first factor to consider is whether or not you even have the space for all your airbrush equipment.
Ensure you have space for the following:
- Your supplies (Paints, Thinners, Cleaners, Tools…)
- Your Air Compressor
- Possibly a “hobby” spray booth
- A table to work on
I’d say 16 – 20 square feet would likely be adequate for a small airbrush workspace. You could maybe get away with a little less.
Protect Your Health & The Health Of Others At All Costs!
You should always be wearing a respirator any time you airbrush. But when it comes to airbrushing indoors it’s even that much more important that you take the time to put on your respirator.
Simply because, airbrushing inside a home or apartment can typically mean less ventilation then when working in say, a garage or shed (with the doors open). less ventilation, means more contaminant in the air. Meaning, a grater build up of micro paint particles in the room, along with stronger fumes.
A respirator is a must if you intend on airbrushing indoors. Be sure to check out my latest post on the topic: How to choose a respirator for airbrushing to ensure you are using the right one.
Another method to protect your health and the health of others living in the home is to consider using a hobby paint booth, otherwise known as a spray booth. Now, a spray booth wont protect you completely from the paint contaminants in the air, but it will do a decent job at collecting the overspray, and fumes.
However, keep in mind, a spray booth won’t eliminate the need for you to wear a quality respirator. Given the fact that a percentage of contaminants will still be in the air even when using a spray booth. As a spray booth is not perfect at filtering the air in the room.
But a spray booth will help. If your unsure as to whether or not to get a spray booth, do check out my latest post on the topic: Do you need a spray booth th airbrush?
- My recommended airbrush respirator is listed Here on Amazon
- My recommended hobby paint booth is listed Here on Amazon
If anyone, or any pets are going to be in the vicinity as you airbrush I suggest they take the same precautions as you should yourself. Otherwise have them leave the vicinity as you airbrush.
Consider The Impact On Others
Including both humans and animals, the noise, smell, and overspray can very likely impact others that are in close proximity of where your airbrushing.
One of the largest factors to consider when it comes to airbrushing indoors is whether or not it will irritate others living in the home or next door…
Before setting up your airbrush workspace I would recommend you consider if others living in the home / apartment complex will be impacted, and how they might be impacted.
Review the following:
- Will anyone be in close enough proximity to where they’ll be able to smell the fumes given off?
- Does anyone living in the home have asthma or any medical conditions that could flare up due to the fumes given off?
- Will the noise that is commonly produced when airbrushing be annoying to anyone?
Consider your neighbors. I know for the most part airbrush compressors are considerably quiet. However, sometimes the walls in apartment complexes can be quite thin (so to say)…
Also consider the time at which you intend on using your airbrush. Are you going to be using it at night when everyone is trying to sleep, to which the noise could possibly end up waking them? Or do you intend on using it during the day when nobody’s likely to care?
These along with others are considerations you may need to take into account so that you don’t annoy others that are in close proximity of where you may be airbrushing.
Consider The Impact On The Room
Granted an airbrush is a quite ethical way to go about painting, at least compared to other spray paint options in terms of overspray. But an airbrush will produce a degree of overspray no matter the settings (Air pressure used). This overspray is not only harmful to your health if proper precautions aren’t taken.
It can also be harmful to your Items in the vicinity. If you have any items in the room that you’d rather not get paint on, then ensure you cover them. Before you begin airbrushing. Best to be safe then sorry.
Same goes for the room its self.
If you, or anyone else for that matter, where to get upset if you got paint on the walls or floor. Then do yourself a favor before an accident happens and protect your surroundings from overspray, and possible spills…
Adequate Ventilation Is Key
Does the room you’ve chosen to setup in have at least 1 window (preferably more)?
Ventilation is likely one of the biggest factors required when it comes to airbrushing indoors. As it is quite common for an airbrush to give off a minimal amount of overspray. But the fumes is commonly what annoys people the most to begin with.
The overspray is what will get you in the long run if you don’t have adequate ventilation and a good quality respirator, and the fumes are likely to get to you in the short term.
Plus, if you intend on using a spray booth, you may require a window for an exhaust port on the spray booth where the overspray and fumes exit.
Now it does depend heavily upon the design of a spray booth, but typically a spray booth will utilize an open window to force over spray and fumes out of.
If you don’t have at least one window that can be opened when needed, it’s going to be quite difficult to maintain a decent atmosphere in the room.
That being said, the airbrush doesn’t commonly produce a large amount of overspray, but being in a room that is not well ventilated can escalate the contaminants in the air, along with the strength of the fumes.
Simply put, I highly recommend you set up your airbrush work space in a room that has at least one window, more if possible.
And then simply open the window any time you feel the need to do so.
Paint Type Can Impact Everything
The kind of paint you decide to airbrush with will heavily impact the overall atmosphere in which you’re going to be working.
Let me explain,
A few of the most common paints used with an airbrush are acrylics, enamels, lacquers, urethanes and so forth.
But each of these paints have a different impact level (so to say) on the contamination of the overall atmosphere to which you will be working in.
For instance, acrylics are commonly water-based and they are typically much less harmful to the human body then say enamels, or urethanes (To which are commonly solvent based).
The major difference between water-based and solvent-based at least in relation to your health is that water based paints are said to be non-toxic (For the most part), while solvent-based (otherwise known as oil-based) are said to be quite toxic to the body.
I don’t want to go too deep into the major differences between paint types as I already have a post that goes deep into the different kinds of paint commonly used in an airbrush. To which I will link to here: Paint Types Ideal For Airbrush Use.
But simply speaking, if you are going to be airbrushing indoors then it is ideal you do so with a paint that isn’t toxic to a high degree.
I’d suggest you stick with water based paints when working indoors.
Urethane paints are an option I wouldn’t recommend someone using indoors without a lot of ventilation, and a quality paint certified respirator.
Oh, And I’d suggest you avoid priming parts indoors, as primer is oblivious for producing a lot of overspray.
Consider The Air Pressure Your Working With
Air pressure is essentially the basis when it comes to airbrushing. No air pressure, no paint spray… But the amount of air pressure to which you require can impact the amount of overspray produced and left floating in the air…
Its like this
The greater the PSI to which you use the greater the amount of overspray produced. The less the PSI to which you use, the less overspray that will be produced…
Keep this in mind when airbrushing indoors. The more your able to reduce your paint, the less PSI you are likely to need, and the less overspray that will be produced. Hence minimizing the amount of overspray in the air.
Conclusion
To airbrush indoors you’re going to want to consider the following:
- Ensure you have the space to effectively airbrush safely.
- Ensure the room you choose has adequate ventilation. (Windows that can open)
- Consider the impact on others.
- Consider the impact on items in the room & the room itself. (Overspray may get on things)
- Get yourself a quality respirator, and a paint booth if you desire.
- Consider the toxicity of the kind of paint you intend on using.
- Consider the pressure range to which you intend on using. (More PSI = More Overspray)
Simply put, when it comes to airbrushing indoors its more about safety then anything. As the overspray, and fumes produced can be largely impactful on your health if you don’t take the proper precautions.
Anyway, I hope you were able to find some value here! If you have any further questions regarding the airbrush do be sure to take a look around the website. Airbrush Insider is dedicated to helping all in the airbrush community!
This is Colt signing off!
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