About Me

From Beginning to Advanced: Blogs on Industry and Manufacturing

Greetings! My name is Adam. I work in the advertising industry as a brand developer. I also teach surfing lessons and spend a lot of time volunteering with an animal hospital. When I was on a gap year, I took a job in a pen factory. Through that experience, I learned a great deal about how pens were made, but I also learned a lot about industrial work and manufacturing in general. In this blog, I plan to write about all aspects of these topics, and I hope that this information is interesting and informative to you. Please, grab a tea and start looking around. If you like my blogs, share them. Thanks.

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From Beginning to Advanced: Blogs on Industry and Manufacturing

Safe and Tidy Airbrushing at Home

by Daniel Wilson

Creating a commission-based model airbrushing business will require the use of a variety of different chemicals and heavy-duty painting equipment. Protecting yourself, the floor and the equipment will enable to you paint multiple commissioned models without the fear of damaging your equipment or your home. Many airbrush artists opt to set up at home because it offers them the freedom to work in a comfortable environment, whilst saving money on studio rental fees. However, it isn't always practical because of the lack of ventilation. This guide will highlight the main pieces of equipment you should buy, aside from the airbrush and compressor, to ensure you are working in a safe and well-protected environment.

Sheeting 

Before you set your table up in your dedicated room, you need to protect the flooring. Using thick and durable plastic sheets will enable you to cut them to the required size of the room and table minimising the risk of paint spillage; however, make sure you get the thicker sheets, which are often measured in mils, as you want to be able to walk on it without piercing the sheet. Using plastic sheets also helps to stop paint absorption and allows for quick clean-ups should you have an accident and spill some paint. Unfortunately canvas sheets absorb the moisture in the paint, which means that stains can still occur if the sheet gets damp, so plastic should always be your first option if possible.  

Fume Hood and Extractor

Once you've protected the floor and table you should invest in a fume hood and extractor. This looks like a large cardboard box with a hood and a grill at the back. Located to the rear of the box is a filter motor and a pipe with a flat lipped end that can sit on the window. The idea is to remove harmful fumes and paint particles from the air to protect both yourself and the models. The pipes sit on the windowsill and blow any residue away, whilst allowing you to keep the window as close to closed as possible. This hood will also help to keep your home clean and avoid splattering on walls and table surfaces. 

Protection

Whilst you paint, you may wish to invest in a facemask. These can be purchased in bulk from any good DIY store, with the more expensive ones containing built-in filters. This helps to reduce any excess fumes and particles from entering your lungs. You could also purchase some rubber gloves to ensure your hands don't react to any of the cleaning chemicals used for the airbrush; however, be sure to check whether you are allergic to latex or not, as this could cause sore red patches on your hands. 

By using these three methods you'll be able to paint at home without risking your health or causing aesthetic damage to your painting room. 

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