Hawkwrench Posted October 16, 2018 Share Posted October 16, 2018 I know this has been discussed before, but I can't find it, but what dangers are there when airbrushing using CO2? If you have a vented booth, will their still be the dangerous air everyone claims? Is it safe to have a small electric heater on while airbrushing? If not, how long will you have to wait to turn it back on? Thanks! Tim Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Nessus Posted October 16, 2018 Share Posted October 16, 2018 Hi Tim, I think you may have a slightly crossed wire. Carbon Dioxide is an asphyxiant (ie it displaces oxygen), but it is not flammable. Carbon Monoxide on the other hand is both toxic (it binds to the haemoglobin in your blood - it is a reversible reaction but the half life is quite long) and flammable. Carbon monoxide is generally made during poor combustion, but you have neither in what you describe. As long as the space is well ventilated there is unlikely to be any issues with you using the CO2 for airbrushing, you should be fine. The heater will not be an issue. As always, treat compressed gases with respect. Brendan LSP_K2 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Snowbird3a Posted October 16, 2018 Share Posted October 16, 2018 Dangers?. Absolutely none Tony Bravo52 and Jeff 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gwana Posted October 16, 2018 Share Posted October 16, 2018 You won't be able to use enough volume of CO2 while airbrushing to pose a danger unless the room is hermetically sealed and you have a very large tank of it and leave it open. CO2 is the fizz in soda and an ingredient in fire extinguishers. With a vent fan? No worries whatsoever. Jeff, Bravo52 and LSP_K2 3 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gene Posted October 16, 2018 Share Posted October 16, 2018 (edited) Keep in mind that CO2 is the principal out-gas product of humans and mammals. It sinks lower than O2 and as mentioned above in concentration will displace O2 - that's the danger but good ventilation will solve that issue. I've used compressed CO2 for airbrushing for years and over time, my friends have not noticed any abhorrent behavior in me (I do wonder about them sometimes). ---Thanks Astro32 for the correction - maybe too much co2 afterall!!! Edited October 23, 2018 by Gene mistake in outgas, thanks Astro32 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Radub Posted October 16, 2018 Share Posted October 16, 2018 Why use CO2? Airbrush compressors can be purchased at reasonable prices, often cheaper than some of the kits we build here. :-) Radu MikeMaben 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
vince14 Posted October 16, 2018 Share Posted October 16, 2018 It's not the CO2 you need to worry about, it's the atomised paint particles getting into your lungs which cause the problems - that's why you should always wear a proper mask when airbrushing (and a helpful hint: if you can smell paint through your mask whilst airbrushing, your mask isn't stopping the paint particles). Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Radub Posted October 16, 2018 Share Posted October 16, 2018 2 minutes ago, Jennings Heilig said: I've wasted my last dollar on a compressor. I never wasted money on a compressor. I used to make my own compressors using fridge pumps. I only had two commercially-built compressors and they were worth their weight in gold. Radu chrish and Jack 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Shawn M Posted October 16, 2018 Share Posted October 16, 2018 the only danger is the bottle itself MUST be secured so it cannot under no circumstances tip over Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DeanKB Posted October 16, 2018 Share Posted October 16, 2018 (edited) It is a very low risk of a pretty catastrophic result; Edited October 16, 2018 by DeanKB Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LSP_K2 Posted October 16, 2018 Share Posted October 16, 2018 1 hour ago, Jennings Heilig said: If you'd ever used it you wouldn't even have to ask that question. I've wasted my last dollar on a compressor. I'd never go back after converting to CO2. Same here. I've been using 20lb CO2 tanks for many years now, and will never buy another hobby compressor. Rick Griewski 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gazzas Posted October 16, 2018 Share Posted October 16, 2018 26 minutes ago, LSP_Typhoonattack said: Same here. I've been using 20lb CO2 tanks for many years now, and will never buy another hobby compressor. I use a shop compressor. It's a wee noisy and not overly expensive. Hobby compressors are too weak. I'd never buy another. But I don't think I could fill my tires with a CO2 cylinder. Gaz Rick Griewski 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hawkwrench Posted October 16, 2018 Author Share Posted October 16, 2018 Thanks guys for all the comments. I don't get much time to model, so I bought a 4 pound tank. I built a tank mount bracket at work and secured it to my workbench leg. Just need to get a spray booth and vent it to my window. That's my next purchase. Tim Rick Griewski 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LSP_K2 Posted October 16, 2018 Share Posted October 16, 2018 30 minutes ago, Hawkwrench said: Thanks guys for all the comments. I don't get much time to model, so I bought a 4 pound tank. I built a tank mount bracket at work and secured it to my workbench leg. Just need to get a spray booth and vent it to my window. That's my next purchase. Tim 2 Once I get my new workbenches built (sometime early next year it looks like), I'll be chaining mine to the bench as well. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MikeMaben Posted October 17, 2018 Share Posted October 17, 2018 8 hours ago, vince14 said: It's not the CO2 you need to worry about, it's the atomised paint particles getting into your lungs which cause the problems - that's why you should always wear a proper mask when airbrushing (and a helpful hint: if you can smell paint through your mask whilst airbrushing, your mask isn't stopping the paint particles). So when I open a jar of paint and can immediately smell the paint , that means there are particles going up my nose ? The smell is the solvent and/or other VOCs. Bill_S 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Create an account or sign in to comment
You need to be a member in order to leave a comment
Create an account
Sign up for a new account in our community. It's easy!
Register a new accountSign in
Already have an account? Sign in here.
Sign In Now