plasticWerks_JL Posted November 23, 2016 Share Posted November 23, 2016 Hi everybody, in need of a bit of insight: Does anyone use a cheapie Master-brand (or comparable) spray booth (w/ inline fan) with Tamiya Surface Primer/Lacquer Thinner? I picked one up (model B420DCK) to help vent my reworked workbench area, and I'd like to avoid burning my eyebrows off... I'm going to try using decanted Tamiya primer and their lacquer thinner with Tamiya acrylics (so far I've not been priming and using X-20A). I plan to use the booth vented out a window, and I'll open up two other windows in my modeling room while spraying to supply more fresh air. I'm thinking this should decrease the risk of lighting my head on fire from the fumes, but I figured I'd crowdsource opinions from anyone who has a similar setup. Thoughts? Thanks, all Quote Link to post Share on other sites
dnl42 Posted November 23, 2016 Share Posted November 23, 2016 While I have no primary info, I'd be shocked if those fans were safe for solvent-based paints and thinners. I once researched explosion proof fans to build a proper spray booth--they were beaucoup expensive... Quote Link to post Share on other sites
viper730 Posted November 23, 2016 Share Posted November 23, 2016 All Day everyday no issues in 5 years. I spray straight from the can and decanted. I clean with Lacquer Thinner and enamel thinners . Quote Link to post Share on other sites
nfiler Posted November 23, 2016 Share Posted November 23, 2016 I think this whole spark proof fan thing is highly overrated. A while back I actually loaded my air brush with lacquer thinner, held my mini butane torch in front of the air brush at about 18 inches and started spraying. The only thing that happened is a eventually blew the torch out. I suspect the amount of spraying you would need to do in a very small space would gas you long before it blew up. Spray cans put out a lot more paint than our modeling air brushes, but I doubt if explosion is as much of an issue as the exposure to all those fumes. I think even just an ordinary fan placed near an open window is better than nothing. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Phantom726 Posted November 23, 2016 Share Posted November 23, 2016 (edited) Unless you plan to use candle lights to light your spray booth or smoke a big cigar while spraying, you can pretty much just ignore all the horror stories about exploding booths. I tested it a while back on my ol' booth with an old kitchen hood fan installed: Loaded the AB with pure cellulose thinners and opened the nozzle up wide. I emptied a full cup of CT directly into the fan in no time and nothing happened. You’ll have a bigger chance winning the national lottery than light your beard on fire. HTH Bjarne Edited November 23, 2016 by Phantom726 Quote Link to post Share on other sites
plasticWerks_JL Posted November 23, 2016 Author Share Posted November 23, 2016 Thanks for the responses, guys; I imagined it wouldn't be an issue unless under very extreme circumstances, so I'll take the precautions and give it a go. The explosion-proof fans are far too rich for my blood right now, but hopefully when the missus and I move on from our current house, I can build up a custom booth. Would be useful for a lot of things not model-related, as well. Cheers, fellas Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Chuck1945 Posted November 23, 2016 Share Posted November 23, 2016 My only concern would if it moves enough air to adequately vent the vapors ... Quote Link to post Share on other sites
balls47 Posted November 23, 2016 Share Posted November 23, 2016 Yessir, I built my own spray booth. I mounted a "squirrel cage" fan to the top and vent everything outside through flexible dryer vent. I have sprayed lacquer, enamel, alcohol, etc. and have never had any issues. You obviously read the instructions and info about the spray booth. For liability reasons, they would have put down any info, including warnings about what can and can't be sprayed through their machine. Have fun. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
TheRealMrEd Posted November 24, 2016 Share Posted November 24, 2016 Explosion-proof vans were a big deal back when electric motors had brushes. Any new brushless bathroom exhaust fan motor is basically safe, and fairly cheap as well. I spray enamel thinner, lacquer thinner, turpentine, alcohol and other stuff through mine, for the last 30 years. Ed Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Unglued Posted November 29, 2016 Share Posted November 29, 2016 My only exciting experience with lacquer thinner occurred when I was about 14. I'd been cleaning grease from something with it, and when I finished that job, I tossed the rags in the trash burner we had in the kitchen at that time. A few minutes later, without thinking, I lit the trash burner. KA-BOOM! The lids on top of it rose three feet, hesitated there for a while, then crashed down. I still had my eye lashes, and my folks were gone, so no problem, but it was the last time I pulled that stunt. Lesson learned: Under the right conditions, lacquer thinner will ignite explode with great force. And yet, I use Tamiya rattle can primers in my bathroom with the fan on, wearing a good mask, for small jobs, with no bad effects, but don't do this unless you have a sympathetic wife. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
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