"Airbrush spray booth -- advice?" Topic

Advice on choosing an airbrush spray booth, please.

I'm just getting started airbrushing; I have a compressor and a very much entry-level brush (Badger 250). I'll probably start topics about those later.

Right now I'm dealing with making it more convenient to spray. Mostly I paint at night; I've been laying out a dropcloth and a box in my garage, rigging a light, then putting everything away afterwards. Ventilation isn't adequate, so I can't keep it up; going outdoors is an option but rigging lights outside at night takes more time and hassle. I'm thinking a spray hood set up on a shelf or bench is the way to go (with a tarp or cover when not in use to keep my kids out of it). I realize I need to rig an exhaust vent. If movable during periods of non-use to free up space, that would be a plus as well.

Dick Blick has quite a variety. link

Unfortunately my local Dick Blick says these are only available off the web, not in the stores. I hate to buy a bench tool I haven't seen myself. Can anyone offer any input on these models?

Paasche Hobby Shop Spray Booth: This seems to be the baseline standard. Made of stainless steel so obviously very durable. However, weighs 42 lbs so I wouldn't want to, for instance, store it on a shelf above my head to free up lower shelf space. $319. USD
Dick Blick: link
Paasche: link

Artograph Model 1520 Economy Spray-System: $100 USD less than the Paasche. Hood is cardboard which seems cheesy, but it's replaceable -- nice option when it gets all yucky from overspray. Suction is down through base, instead of through hood, not sure if that matters. Very heavy, 71 lbs, but possibly I could detach the bulky part (the hood) and free up lower area space that way, stacking stuff on the base or whatever.
Dick Blick: link

Inovart SB-100 / 300: This one looks too good to be true. About $225 USD or $270 USD if I want dual fans. Polystyrene housing, 11 lbs shipping weight. "… includes 3 airbrush holders, 4 clips, 5 replacement filter papers, and a light." No reviews on DickBlick.com. I found a site for a company of that name but they don't list any airbrush items.
Dick Blick: link

The rest of the hoods on DickBlick are $700+, out of my price range unless somebody here convinces me I'll be sorry if I don't.

Also, if anyone knows of a place in the Los Angeles area where I could go see some of these, that would be a huge help.

Thanks!

-- Don

(Posting to Tools of the Hobby but cross-listing to Painting since previous airbrushing topics have appeared there.)

How crafty do you feel?

Depending on how your garage is set up, you can do put together your own spray booth.

Cardboard box – or Rubbermaid-type 30-gallon (ish) tub. $0-9
Fart Fan (bathroom ventilation fan) $10 USD @ Coast Appliance Parts to about $15 USD at Home Depot
Dryer Vent duct about $10 USD
Depending on the model of fan you buy, you may need to get some lamp cord, some electrical tape and/or some wire nuts.

Punch a hole in the box/tub and mount the fan. The hole should be on the "top" of the box when it is in use. Use the ducting to draw the fan-driven vapor out of the garage through a window or door.

If you're not feeling particularly handy, I'm pretty certain that I can whip one up for you. I'm in Riverside Co.

Wyatt
wiattheodd (at) aol (dot) com

Wyatt the Odd, I've read about people building their own before, and if I had a design with actual measurements and parts listings, I'd consider working off it. I have the start of a decent carpentry shop at home (table saw, jigsaw, circular saw, hand drills, etc.) (On the other hand as you can tell from my first post, I'm also willing to spend a little to save myself the hassle.)

I did actually google for how to build my own and the hits were pretty general (cut a hole in a board, mount a fan, put a filter bracket on the front, throw on some more boards for a box, hang curtains) and were really for bigger workspaces (auto pinstriping in your garage etc). You at least with your suggestion of a Rubbermaid-type tub, take care of some of the dimensional questions. ;)

Now, with the bathroom ventilation fans, aren't those non-sealed, so there is a theoretical risk of fire with flammable spray mixtures? (e.g., from spray cans or from using alcohol as a thinner.) I was thinking of using computer case cooling fans (I have some sitting around) but realized one set of guidelines I found specified using a belt-driven fan for that reason.

I cover a card table with news paper and put a cardboard box on top of that. You need more? The way I paint the paint dries almost on contact -- fumes are negligible. But, if that is an issue -- cut some holes in the back/top of the box and put a fan in the area blowing out the open garage door.

I have better things to spend my money on that something that is so easily constructed.

mjc

I'd probaly go the build-my-own route. Maybe make a few mock-ups out of cardboard to get the size and ergonomics right, then go to it with your carpentry tools. As far as the fans go, I recall reading that brushless motors do not have the same fire risk, as there is no spark in the works (some gibberish about commutators and such).

Doug

I built my spray booth into a plastic cabinet. Do a google search for "Sterilite 4-Shelf Cabinet". They are about 70" tall and generally go for around $75. USD I mounted an exhaust fan from Home Depot to the top side of the top shelf and s small flourescent lamp to the underside. The next shelf down is where I paint. I added a cheap lazy susan from Ikea. Lower shelves hold my compressor, airbrushes and spray cans. Let's everything be stored nice and tidy. I use a flexible dryer hose to exhaust out a basement window.

What I've learned: 1) I may retrofit a second exhaust fan to the back of the cabinet. Long spray sessions overwhelm the one fan. 2) Mount your fans in such a way that they can be replaced – they can caked with paint and die after about 4-7 years. 3) line the paint are with wax paper – easy disposal as overspray builds up.

Good info everyone, thank you. Are there any hobbyists that buy instead of build, when it comes to spray booths?

I bought a spray booth just before Christmas. It's this model from this store: link

I've been very happy with it. You really do want to avoid fumes, even with acrylics. I just vent mine out the window in my hobby room.

I bought one of these (I'm in Australia)
link

Did a lot of research and checked out a fair few. For the price this was the business. You may find that Artograph is similar – the sparmax isn't cardboard but plastic that folds together. Either way the material used isn't that important for hobbyists, it just needs to prevent paint being sprayed outside your work area. The exhaust fan is more important in that regard, and the sparmax's specs are quite good and is also fairly quiet.

Thanks, guys, I knew somebody had to have experience with pre-built ones.

scomac, wow, quite a price difference for the Paasche, thank you.

I bought mine from Cheap Joes art supply.

link
plus the metal hood.
link

The downdraft style seemed like it would work better at pulling the spray into the filter to me. I wouldn't describe it as quiet but it will move a lot of air and has a clear top for light.

Just an aside – a respirator mask is a good idea even with a booth. Atomized acrylic is NOT something you want in your lungs.

Doug

I second that one strongly – a proper respirator is a must have, though a dust mask will do in a pinch.

tnnlynch, so the Artograph has an optional metal hood. Interesting. Probably makes it even heavier! Thanks for sharing your experience with it.

McWong73, what's interesting to me about the SparMax hood is its exhaust rating is 65 CFM. You say it performs well and is also fairly quiet. The hoods I posted seem to be rated a LOT higher than that; the Artograph is 185 CFM and the Paasche is 270 CFM! (Couldn't find a rating for the Inovart.) I'd guess that means I shouldn't be worried about going too low end in terms of air flow and it might even be desirable as there will be less noise.

elsyrysn, McWong73, thanks for the heads up about a respirator mask. I have a box of disposable shop masks that are supposed to handle paint fumes, but I bet they aren't as good as you're talking about. I'll probably read up on this and start another topic later.

I have the Atrograph and there's no way it's 71 lbs. The link from tnnlynch has it at 17 which is probably more accurate. I vent out from the basement and it works pretty well; I don't do really long sessions though. I got mine before they made the cardboard hoods, it adds weight but there's an option to hang a small under cabinet light to illuminate the work area, I don't see that as an option on the cardboard ones though. Overall I'm happy with mine considering I had no means to build my own.

Good catch, Striker! DickBlick must have transposed digits on the weight. Artograph's own web site also lists the 1520 at 17 lbs … which is easier to believe looking at the pictures.
Artograph 1520: link

Also there's a dealer locator. The one closest to me is out of business apparently but maybe I can make it out to one of the others.

I built mine out of foam core and i build a double roof onto it just wide enough to put a small air conditioner filter in it before it runs into the fan system that wyatt spoke of. foam core and a hot glue gun can do wonders.
CW

I have one unopened in a box sitting in my garage. I think it's the testor's spray booth. I would be willing to sell it cheap, but the shipping will be pricey because it's quite heavy. Let me know if you are interested…

axabrax, that's quite an offer. Email me at don underscore rice at earth link dot net and we'll see if we can work something out.

For everyone else's benefit, I didn't realize Testors made a spray booth (seems obvious, duh). Testors spray booth:
link

From the specs it appears to be identical to the Artograph 1520 with the added metal hood. Pricey at $599 USD list.

For all those who have home-made spray booths, if you are able to post pictures, I'd appreciate it. If you used plans and have a link to them, that would be awesome.

Especially of the foam core one the wombat built – that sounds nifty.

Doug

donrice, I've sprayed can primer and dullcoate in my sparmax booth and the extractor's handled the fumes well but you do still get a stink. The benefit of 65 CFM is very much little noise. I've got mine set up in my front room, next door to my bedroom and it shares a wall with my neighbours bedroom. I once had to do an insane two day sprint job on a FoW T34 Batallion for a tournament and pulled an all nighter with the airbrush. Got no complaints from the wife about the noise from the extractor, did pee her off with the noise from the sparmax compressor.

If you can find a sparmax booth I'd get one. The booths with metal hoods are far more professional, but I'd argue not far more effective for the weight you gain. I also have a sneaky suspicion that the lower CFM extractors may not work as effectively on larger booths, but that's pure speculation mate. Also the sparmax is incredibly light and is designed for hobby spraying, whereas the branded larger booths while superb for hobby spraying are aimed at professionals.

There's nothing better than building your own, but if you're like me and lack the knowledge and experience I'd just go with the pre fab ones. Also your dust masks should be ok – they're no good with dullcoate though.

Graphicair A300 model. Simply brilliant!

Has anyone tried the one sold by apluschoice? See:

auction

BrianH: yes, I bought that one.

It works quite well for basic airbrushing with acrylic paint. I wouldn't want to use it for anything very toxic, as the airflow isn't powerful. It's enough to keep paint dust from settling on everything, and it takes the stench out from primer can spraying, though.

It folds up quite small, and is not very loud. I wouldn't call it quiet, but you can use it at night without bothering anyone. And it looks like one could probably take it apart to replace the fan if it wears out.

I'm pretty happy with it, given the price and my expectations. I don't plan on spraying anything other than acrylic any time soon, and this keeps me from making a big mess.

Thanks I ended up getting one of the apluschoice ones and I am satisfied with it. As parejkoy says the airflow is not powerful, but I do use it for spray paints (primer) as well as acrylics from my airbursh. I have had no problem with noise or dust out side the booth and I do wear a respirator mask. To ensure you vent all the toxic enamel spray can primer fumes you need to do the following:
1) Change the filter regularly (as soon as you notice suction decreasing, get cheap furnace filter material from the hardware store and cut to fit).
2) Paint in small batches with spray cans
3) Keep the distanced between the ducting vent and the window as short as possible.

What's the point though? I understand you don't want overspray all over your table or desk but I have never smelled any fumes from the airbrush when I was watching a friend use it!

I used GW's spray gun and I never smell anything even with using their propellant. The only time I smell fumes is when using a can a spray paint or primer.

G