Hello Everyone,

I'm new to this scene and returning to models since my youth when I used plastic cement from tubes and messed up mostly all my models plastic by using too much! Bah, those days those are what lead me wanting more! Anyhow, I am really happy to find there are communities to join and share knowledge with.

My Introduction Post: https://armorama.kitmaker.net/forums/242553

So as most people who have been away from modeling for years I came back and did my research on needed equipment.. what I found so far is its actually all affordable up to when you tell yourself its time to try airbrushing. A nice or good, decent airbrush runs about 100-160 and a mini compressor with tank regulator and moisture trap attached can cost about 70-130. Now back to my point here is I could afford all this including my basic tools and so fourth glues and all (not paints).

However, I myself living in a wintry environment up in the rocky mountains of Colorado can't go outside with issues of paints being ruined to the below 33F temps. So I was checking spray booths out to do all my work indoor the cheap ones you see from ebay and so on collapsible ones I have seen, cheap fold up styles, totes and case fans.

But not one really looks like it would work as you would truly want for inside use not in a basement.. this is where I introduce you my new concept in the making..

I would use a Mylar or on Mylar indoor growing hydroponic tent...! These guys have 2 air duct outlets to add an inline duct fan and the ability to pull fresh air in from or sometimes through the mesh of the canvas or vents. They have a pretty paint resistant Mylar but not too important there I think. They come in different sizes and can actually cost less than, say a $70.00 collapsible booth or whatever. One of my favorite features is you can zip yourself inside use a paint suit for all I care or sit with a dust mask on and paint for hours if vented properly. Air coming in and air pushed outside the house.

So I ask you to either give me any creative ideas on this and or maybe any insight to fumes, because right now I calculate CFM required to properly clean the tents fumes constantly should be like 190 CFM. So to save money I would leave room for upgrades on my inline fans. But if required I could buy say 440+ CFM inline fans..

I never did any airbrushing or heavy paint booth spraying, however do you all feel this type of setup could work out? I really think I am on to something for a cheap spray booth.. Oh, that brings me back to the total price would be around 150 for a truly nice tent setup including fans and such. Keep in mind they make nice accessories to for these tents might be good for more than just lighting.

Thanks for reading my book! I hope it not only inspires some others to try this idea, but to lead me in the right direction if you notice me going stray.

Hi Isaac,
What kind of paints do you intend to use? I use acrylics (vallejo, Ak, Ammo...) without spray booth as they are supposed to be safe.
At least I think so, counting that I paint once every two months at most.

So *maybe* you do not need it. But others may have different opinions, this is just what I do.

I also switched to using exclusively acrylics because I can shoot indoors and not generate a lot of HAZMAT cleaning brushes. However, I still find a spray booth to be very useful because after a few spraying sessions one finds a blackish-grey dust collecting on everything in the room.

Greetings from the Western Slope, CO!

Isaac, Your idea sounds just a bit complex and expensive in the long run.

Using acrylics, I've been operating with this booth for over two years ... works for me. In addition, using a respirator is always a good idea.

Master Airbrush® Brand Portable Hobby Airbrush Spray Booth w/hose

HTH.

Many thanks everyone! I appreciate the replies I needed some more insight sounds like it will be ok to get a small spray booth as linked by Mike F. thanks for the recommendation.

So after sleeping on the idea a couple nights and talking with you guys I think I will keep it simple and if anything get the portables. I was a bit scared I would have an issue with fumes. I will be using mainly acrylic, thinners, lacquers, glues. But being that you all have some experience in this field I will skip such a big booth and keep it simple.

Now I read when doing a primer or a base coat its sometimes better to buy the aerosol cans and spray it by hand does that sound true is that more cost effective also?