Safety: Starting to Airbrush Part 2 

I use to be a house painter. When you use your respirator, if you store it in something air tight, like a resealable plastic bag, the filter cartridges will last considerably longer. You will also know the carriages need to be changed when you can "taste" the fumes when you put on the mask.

"Let's say it's post apocalyptic..." Little did he know post-pandemic mask shortages would be a thing. Watching in 2020 and wondering if I can even get anything at the store.

After painting a Baneblade by hand, that was what finally made me realize “I need an airbrush”

"Lets say its post apocalyptic, and all you have left now is just one of those 3m paper things" Guess I won't be getting anything at all. Time to die from airbrush paint.

Great video. I'm surprised so many other content creators promote using an airbrush, but never mention anything regarding safety.

I don't airbrush, I don't play table top games, but I like learning about things and comedy. This is really gold!

I've been looking into getting an airbrush set up and these videos are really helpful. Thanks for the quality uploads!

I have an earlier model of one of those cheap amazon spray booths (without lights) and like it very much. There is enough airflow that you can see the paint getting sucked into the filter. I don't even wear a respirator anymore, because it's so good. Full disclosure: I only use acrylics.

Thank you very much for this video, you are one of the very very few people that paint minis and actually care or research about the dangers of atomized paint for the lungs.

I'm a beginner airbrusher and while I was airbrushing my kitten was very curious about the airbrush and came to check it out. A few minutes later he was gagging outside the room. Safety tip: keep cats away from airbrush!

I’m a tradesman and use these types of masks on a daily, just want to let you know that wearing a face fit mask like this it needs to have a proper seal on the face, having a beard can prevent the mask from sealing properly and can make the mask significantly less effective. With paints this probably won’t matter just letting people know.

Great video again as always. I'd like to add it is worth knowing that it is safer to use airbrush paints than regular paints. They can get away with using certain types of pigments in brush paints like cadmium. But cadmium in the air is incredibly toxic and is known to cause lung cancer. So using those masks and proper ventilation and the right paints can be the most important thing you could choose to do. Not just for your self but also those around you.

Looking to get into airbrushing, and these videos are GREAT. Also, that Amazon Paint Booth is AWESOME. I have one, and use it with rattle cans in the garage all the time.

There are nothing more important then safety! ...I'll always Remind me that famous quote: "Before we use any power tools, let's take a moment to talk about shop safety. Be sure to read, understand, and follow all the safety rules that come with your power tools. Knowing how to use your power tools properly will greatly reduce the risk of personal injury. And remember this: there is no more important safety rule than to wear these - safety glasses." ...And when airbrushing, always protecting our lungs! ;)

Thank you. I am looking to get started airbrushing. Spent the last 40 years as a wet painter/powder coater and then supervisor. I have used many types of guns, torn them down and rebuilt them. Looking forward to a new hobby.

Great information about protecting oneself from airbrush overspray! Around 20 yrs ago in college, I was heavy into using airbrush for illustration on board (before digital caught up in quality) for about 5 years. Until I got a professional spray booth and a good mask, I would have pigment color in my nostrils after painting for hours, and sometimes could even feel it on the back of my throat. The main impetus for my purchasing better protection was reading testimonials in art magazines from other artists who had developed COPD from years and years of airbrushing without protection. (Some folks may remember the airbrush booths in malls back in the day, where artists would paint custom tees...do they still do that anywhere??) Those acrylic particles can somewhat amass over time, building up in your lungs, and can cause serious problems. It's plastic particulates, after all. Anyway, I'm starting to get into painting miniatures, and excited that I kept all my killer Iwata airbrushes and gear, and even my old Artograph spray booth. I'll be using that soon. P.S. I totally enjoy your videos! Keep up the great work!

Excellent video and thankyou so much and as I am now going through my 2nd case of cancer and I also have heart failure as well as grade 4 severe kidney infection, I decided to get myself the vented spray booth (which you show here) and I've connected it to the tumble drier vent in the outside wall, I wear a GVS HALF MASK WITH NUISANCE ODOUR FILTERS P3, goggles as I have an eye condition called Posterior Blepharitis. Yes, I also have the Iwata wash out jar and I do wear latex gloves and I only use Acrylics. BUT unless someone is going through cancer for the second time like I am, well it kind of makes you worry... I hope you can appreciate my concerns rather than the overkill.

Have to say, airbrush is actually quite dangerous for lung health, N95 won’t work, you will need to find a mask for paint specifically. I really surprised only 4 videos on YT talking about this.Thank you sir

Thanks Atom! This answered several questions I had, especially in regards to the paint dust.

When that 'fuzzy' comes in and fucks with your shit

Done a bit of basecoating with a siphon style airbrush now getting into a gravity fed version and I am re watching all of these videos to get ready.

This is gonna sound like such a weird comment, but I have to say it. You have a really kind face, The video is great, and super informative, but I just wanted to drop that little piece of info real quick!

1:20 I've been totally waiting for you to say this in one of your airbrushing videos. Cracked me up as expected, second only to "did I just rap"? BTW, definitely the correct word. Safety is a very important step I see often skipped in airbrushing. Though non-toxic, it's not a good idea to inhale the paint! I also picked up a painting booth (can be made cheap, but bought one for a decent price) and it works great at ventilating paint even in small spaces. I've seen several people with facial hair, using respirators just fine. Though the bigger the beard the harder it is to make a seal, for sure. Not a pro, by any means - still a novice but just what I've picked up over the last little bit. Keep the videos coming! :)

Thanks for the excellent series. I am considering getting into airbrushing. You give a lot of great tips. Cheers from a fellow cheesehead in LaCrosse!

I love your sense of humour.

I just got into airbrushing to help get a handle on my thousand of points of unpainted Tyranids. I got the new(ish) .3mm Iwata HP-CH gravity fed airbrush that has a pressure regulator just before the crown. I was too scared to test it out on a mini though, so I painted my daughters white duplo with Vallejo Game Air Squid Pink. Everything looks great, but here are my 2 biggest errors, so that others can hopefully avoid them when they first start. 1. I was expecting to be able to paint almost as fast as I can with an aerosol can. You can't. Take your time, it's relaxing anyway. 2. If you want to maximise your painting area by increasing the distance between the airbrush, and the project, you'll need a higher pressure to paint with. If you are using a higher pressure to get a good paint output to cover a large surface, and you notice that there is a crack or crevice that the paint isn't getting to, you can't just bring the airbrush closer to the crack to get the paint in. You'll need to lower your pressure first. I learned this the hard way. In conclusion; Are you holding your airbrush at a large distance away to paint something big? Pressure needs to go up. Are you holding your airbrush nice and close, to paint some detail? Pressure needs to go down. Are you holding your airbrush with your c**k? Pressure needs to be split 50/50 between the controller, and the instrument.

A N95 paper respirator, like the first one you show, is good for...get this 95% of the air borne particulates, and should be great for acrylics. a half face cartridge filter with an "organic vapor" cartridge is great for enamels and lacquers. If you get a half face, for organics, get a cartridge with a hepa pre-filter. Also, facial hair and scars can effect proper fit of any respirator. I used to do industrial hygiene. As another poster stated, storage of the mask and filters is important. A large zip lock is great as long as you clean the outside of the mask prior to putting away. Otherwise, the particulates on the outside can fall inside the mask and you end up breathing them. Oh, and find a good video on checking the seal of both types of respirators. Like what you're doing.

huhu thx a lot you make Good vid´s ! and a nice tipp is Spraying Ink´s through an airbrush, just mix them 1 part paint 2 parts Destillit water and kick the pressure a littel bit!

Great video! Thank you! It answered all the questions I had about airbrushing.

Fantastic advice - greatly appreciated, thanks!

If you are lucky enough to do it outside im sure that just solves all of these problems. I have yet to get a airbrush setup since for money reasons and apartment reasons, but I want one sooo hard.

I only use a mask when spraying metallics. Otherwise unless you're a pro painter spraying daily, it's not to big of a deaaaaaaa..... (Sorry Jason has dropped dead)

Another great video. Thank you for posting info about safety. Vallejo-paints (and probably other labels) contains cadmium. Do your research. You don't want those particles in your lungs. Peace out :)

Another decomplication video, thanks for the share. Particulates still enter your body through your eyes.

I got that type of mask by 3M for airbrushing, the filters have to be replaced after x hours usage and the mask should be stored away in an airtight container / bag I heard. I also got that airbrush box kit although my version didn't come with a light, it's ok, the tube at the back has to be screwed in which is a pain if you're opening it up and storing it away for later use.

Building a hobby shed in the back garden and supplying electricity will not be a problem. Also planning to use pretty much just acrylics. With that in mind do you suppose I would be okay with a ventilator mask and the occasional hand vac of the area to get rid of particulate? Great vid as always!

Hey. great vid, i got the sparyboot you talk about, and i love it.

3:00 that hit different

this is perfect! I just got an air brush and I haven't even used it yet cause Idk the safety issues haha thank your so much!!!

Subscribed! You crack me up dude. Thanks for these videos

Awesome shirt! I like that this video, and the previous both feature boba fett

Thanks .. I had just bought that local extraction device you pictured .. for the lights and the exhaust. I wear a beard and so can’t effectively wear a respirator.

Just a note about the face mask. Your facial hair prevents it from properly sealing to your face. You won't get a full protection if you are unshaven. Glad to see a video promoting some safety concerns.

I bought everything for less than $35 at home depot to build my own spray booth with exhaust fan, and a light. I used a Styrofoam type of 4x8 sheet they carry for insulation. The sheet was under 10 dollars, a cheap generic exhaust fan 10 dollars, a battery operated light 10, and the exhaust tube 4 bucks. The best part is I made it the size I wanted, and the reflective inner surface helps keep everything lit up. I actually can cut the sheet with a hobby knife. No way anyone should spend 100 dollars on a booth.

The paint doesnt get atomized you creat earosoles lighter than air. Cholera is a deasis that confides in earosoles. If you breath it in you can get minimale paint in your blood. A good idea is to breath through your nose so your nosehairs absorbe the paint partecles. The blowout jars are awesome some come with a little filter. Hope i could help with explanetion about earosoles and sorry for the bad english not my first languege

good video and tips, sadly ive been airbrushing for years, and say these same things to others, but dont do it my self half the time =/

Laquar give wicked headaches I had to get a respirator to counter it I used to give my Necrons a shiny look

I will likely never switch to airbrushing, but this has been helpful in knowing the struggles of my airbrushing fellows. :P

1. Fantastic shirt! 2. How much is a lot of paint in reference to eating it?

Good solid advice. Thanks a lot, you are my go-to guy for hobby info :)

I bought that exact booth a few months ago, it's legit! The LED are very bright and have a blue shade to them, makes color matching tough. If that's my only grip, I figure I'm way ahead!

You don’t necessarily have to buy a more expensive respirator. A half face is still good. It’s all dependent on the type of filter. Depending on the type of fumes and time of exposure you can use a carbon filter or I would just use a P100 type filter because it’s more universal. A N95 is fine too if you don’t plan on working for long periods at a time. Just has to say NIOSH of the filter.

Good video on airbrush safety, Atom! Will look at a better mask as I was just using the cheap masks. I would suppose this would be good to use when using rattle cans too? Respectfully, Gunny

Thanks for the vid on airbrushing. Always enjoy the dry humor emensly. Would love to see more how air brush vids if you the chance. On a separate note....what's your take on kickstarter miniature games?

i got what i came for, it was funny and it was nice to listen to, great video!

My old man made a spray booth. Took a plastic bin from Walmart, cut a hole, put an air filter in the hole, and backs it up against a partially open window and sprays in the bin

Your mid video pause to look at the fluffy made me laugh. Love the videos

I highly recommend a spray booth when airbrushing.

Your sweater and the background line up to cut the screen in half. Dig it

You should really make an airbrush playlist.

And now you made me sad, because my appartment is really small and I can wear a respirator mask but my cats can't. Maybe I'll clean up some space in the communal basement.

Fun and informative as always 👍🏻

Atom these vids r great!

Hi Uncle Atom! Just looking at getting into air-brushing for the first time; When you talk about particulate dust, is this a thing that, like, adheres to a surface? I know if I did rattlecan spraying indoors my mum would kill me because the paint would settle on the floor/walls while wet, and I'd literally be spray painting the house. But if this airbrush dust you're talking about just settles but doesn't stick, that seems like a minor annoyance at worst. This is why we research beforehand!

I think that it is a good point to raise so early on in your series and responsible of you to do so. I am a paint chemist by background and sell into this industry in the UK. There is a big debate going on in the chemistry world as to the level of carcinogenicity of titanium dioxide powder when inhaled (when dispersed it would appear to behave differently though). www.chemistryworld.com/news/european-chemicals-body-links-titanium-dioxide-to-cancer/3007557.article Most paints will have titanium dioxide in, as a tint at least. I'm not sure what droplet size you get upon atomisation (will depend on rheology, coating chemistry and spray pressure) but I'm imagining they are quite fine (10's of microns?). Thus, with such a high surface area, this will start to dry up pretty quickly in the air. I'm not one to fearmonger but I think that - regardless of the actuality - for £10 it is better to be safe! It is still under debate as far as I'm aware so there are two schools of thought on this topic. It does make sense though, given that titanium dioxide is a photocatalytic material capable of generating free radicals - themselves harmful to DNA. Not all grades of TiO2 are photocatalytic though. There are of course other components in the paint like mineral oils (defoamer), siloxanes (wetting and dispersing), biocides etc. that will also be harmful if inhaled on a regular basis. Anyway, ramble over.

Very informative

Thanks for a useful video. Just got a spray booth and wonder if a respirator mask really is needed in conjunction with that, or if I can get away with just using that? ;)

Saved my lungs thank you!

You'll put a description in the link below? :P

The iMortal Joe gag got a giggle, because yeah I have been doing that as well, before that it was Darth Vader.

I do a lot of plastic modeling, mostly gundam since I don’t necessarily need to paint them to get a good looking model, but I’ve really wanted to get a much more expensive one for a while and go high effort, but I live in a small apartment with not a load of free space, Back when I was still in school I had access to a spray booth and nice air compressors and brushes to work with and I spent a lot of time painting in there, and I really want to get back into it, but I’m not sure where to start, there is a small space in my bedroom at a corner next to a window I might be able to put a booth in and I wanted to know what you’re recommendation would be. If I should take the leap or not.

I don't know why your videos are so damn funny to me.

I assume a cardboard carton isn’t quite enough as a spray booth if you’re just working with acrylics?

Very old video but I have a question, if acrylic paint through an airbrush is generally ok then why are acrylic rattle cans a big no no? Silly question maybe but its confusing

"I'll put a description in the link below"

As far as safety masks though it must also be said that unless you are clean shaven (no facial hair around where the mask sits) the safety mask doesn't completely protect you. Have to use those masks for work and have been told that by safety persons.

Whenever i use a 3m respirator mask for airbrushing theninaode of my nose develops bloody booger crust that takes over a week to heal. Is my mask not working right, or is it causing these small nosebleeds?

Great vid!! Thanks!!

Who would win: Uncle Atom vs Duncan "Thin your paints" Rhodes?

Question regarding use in an apartment (in which I would like to get my safety deposit back): I’m planning on picking up a spray booth like you recommended, but setting it up immediately next to a window will be problematic for me. If I use only acrylics, will the filter catch the particles by itself, or does the exhaust really need to be directed directly outside to not destroy my lungs and place of living? Thanks!

A 3M Respirator with replaceable Organic Vapor cartridges will not only help you survive the coming Mad Max Apocalypse but will help with nasty fume producing paints.

In another life I worked with respirators quite a bit. The type of filter is rated by size of matter they filter or micron size. The cheap white dust masks are only good for dust. The similar looking n95 respirator paper masks are plenty sufficient for most jobs especially acrylic paints. The respirator as show in the video with a particulate filter is very similar to the n95 however it seals all the areas that the paper masks can leak from. Anything you are doing that may have vapors (laquer and enamel including rattle cans) should have vapor rated filters. Whichever mask you decide to use it will be of no use if you don't properly fit it to your face and perform a fittest. Sorry atom but facial hair prevents a good seal. The mask you are wearing is not doing its job. I had the same problem and trimmed my beard to be contained inside the mask.

How are you getting a good seal when wearing the mask wiith that magnificent beard Uncle Atom?

When you say that the paint is "atomized", do you mean by Uncle Atom? :)

Where do you get all your cool shirts- aside from the event shirts anyway?

"in a post apocalyptic situation, a 3M mask will do" ... after 2020 that's what I've got laying around

i got one of those pots with the filters on it, and i put two filters instead of the single one that it recommended and i can still see a lot of fumes coming out of it, how can i solve this? are there better filters i can buy specifically for the cleaning pot?

Thanks for this very complete tutorial. Maybe going to buy one in Japan! :)

Where do you get your shirts? They’re awesome

Would airbrushing outside on a balcony work? Or would wind be an issue?

Happy wife equals happy hubby. XD Btw great safety advice and video.

Thanks!

“I’ll put a description in the link below”

Thanks just starting out with airbrushing

4:34 a fuzzy landed on my tablet RIGHT where you blew! Too funny.

Hi question where did you buy Your respirator from?

I cannot figure out if Mister Hobby paints are lacquer or not...

My mom got me the paint u paint your walls with yesterday on a scale of 1 to 10 how bad can it hurt my airbrush

thank you for the vid

how important is it to have the ventilation hose stick out the window?