I'm planning to build a little paint booth out of a 20' box fan, plexiglass, and paper filters. I'll be painting right in front of a window so the exhaust should go straight out.

Anyone have experience with a setup like this? I noticed that a lot of paint booths use sirocco fans because they remove the motor from the path of potentially volitile fumes, but V-color isn't THAT volitile, is it? A guarded box fan should have enough suction, right?

(Another option is to put a plexiglass hood over K-T's booth, but this will be about $180 cheaper, so...)

Uhhhh... yeah, I think it is that volatile...

i just paint in my room with a respirator and the window open

lung tumor here i come.

as little as i paint, i think i will be OK though

I paint in my garage with the door open. If it's to cold out, I don't paint, simple as that. I don't use any kind of fan or exhaust, because I paint right by the door (near the outside), but if I had to paint inside I would definitely use a booth. I opened v-color in the studio once with my mask on just to see the consistency, put the lid back on, and took my mask off, and oh what a mistake it was. This stuff REEKS and I don't think it can be healthy in any way.

Just got all my gear, and started spraying last night... Thanks for all the great tips! 2oz dropper bottles rock! I think I'm going to have to invest in a decent spray booth, cuz my home made one with a Holmes Helpa filter system isn't working too well...

I just went to michaels and picked up the $179 Badger Compressor for $90... They always have 50% off coupons in the paper on the weekend, and they will let you buy a compressor with it... they also carry the $200+ version too... So if you're in the market, I just saved $90... Go get em!

WOW I really want to get started on some especially since K-T has the "Basic" Figs that I could order while I order my V-Color, its just a super expensive set up and I have no idea where id spray with all those fumes and smell and noise of the compressor...hmm awsome guide though ive been wondering for a while and if I find a way ill deff be coming back to this.

actually the fumes aren't so bad while spraying... But when thinning all my paints for their droppers, it really got strong...

SO I have a jar I've been using to blast thinner through to clean my brush out, and it's now starting to get foggy... What would be the proper way to get rid of it? Or how do you get rid of excessive amounts of dirty thinner/acetone?

For old thinner :

I bought a large glass jar with a lid that has a latch. I've been using this for quite some time to empty old chemicals into.

Once its full I bring it to my old art school as they have containers for this sort of stuff.

But you should call you local poison control and ask they for local dump sites for chemicals.


For fumes :

I mentioned that I bought a supplied air system. It really is the best investment for paint yet. I literally take in almost no fumes what so ever. It may cost some money but if you want to care for your self you do all that you can to protect your self.

When I spray I use this along with a spray booth, rubber gloves, and an open door. And when it gets warmer I will be adding a small fan to help out even further.

Also....

I have found that easiest way to mix paint is with cone cups. The ones you see at doctors offices or stores. They are small paper cone cups.

I cut the ends off making small disposable funnels.

I place this over the dropper, pour in the paint from the jar. Refill teh jar back up with thinner. This will give me my 50% than pour that into the dropper. In about 1 minutes time I'm all set.

It helps exposure time to fumes and is pretty clean.

so, I have to ask, for those of us out there that don't want to use V-Color, is there an alternative that has been tried and tested (and is available over here in the US)?

LASH, have you used the "clear" colored V-colors? I am unsure of what kind of effect these make. thanks in advance.

i wondered the same thing. i would think regular acrylic with an airbrush medium would work fine but you'd probably have to prime before use. wonder if createx or anyone makes a clear primer

simply do not use createx paints - other than VCOLOR ...I, as wel las a few others here, have had success ( open to opinion ) with TAMIYA brand paints




but really - when u can get VCOLOR right from KT - why not?

i don't have a problem ordering paint but i get impatient and sometimes i have spur of the moment ideas for customs and i'd love to just be able to run to dickblick or pearl and grab what i need and get to work.

ok i guess i understand that but now that you know about VCOLOR - order a boatload and have it handy - it only takes 3 days to get from KT to CT where im at - always impressed with the shipping quickness!

I think what it is, for me anyway, is something to have a go with thats easily available. Once I can get my groove on, and have tried and tested techniques, then i'll drop the dough and by the V-Color.

Thanks for the heads up!

I just used the clear blue, and it's awesome... lays down great, and looks great... Easy to even out too...

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Agreed... You need to order at least 10 to 15 colors, and 1 or 2 4ooml thinners to really get the benefit of the EMS shipping prices, but it's well worth it... And yes... 3 days to Detroit... Crazy fast delivery...

remember - you can never have too much thinner

Anyone know where I can get metallic dust, or pearl dust?

Nevermind me.

The best I have found is HOK, but its REAL FUCKING expensive !

If you find something please post.

Grand master PK once told me a little secret to spray a very, very light coat of silver on top of whatever color........looks nice and subtle....

Schhhhh !

heh... Thanks for the tip... I was actually thinking about doing just that...