Airbrush Introduction

This is the content required for an introduction to our airbrush equipment . Reading this does NOT replace the mandatory session with a tutor! It will make it a lot quicker though ;-)

If you need this introduction, please reach out to the following tutors: Björn

Health & Safety Precautions

Personal protection:

Wear goggles and gloves if you use solvent-based paint. Gloves are also required if you airbrush something you are holding/touching!

Hearing protection is also recommended due to the noise of the fume extractor directly overhead.

Danger	Description	Precautions
Aerosols	Airbrushing creates aerosols/vapours. Solvent-based AND water-based paint can cause pneumonia and other long-term lung problems. Paint particles might travel away from the airbrush area and harm other equipment or people.	use spray booth air extractor AND a respirator close the curtain behind you water-based colours: wear a mask with "P2" or even better "P3" filters when working with solvent-based colours: wear goggles and a mask with "A2" grade filters to protect against the solvent fumes these "gas and vapour cartridges" have a use-by date and need to be replaced from time to time (according to the manufacturer's recommendations) do not do any face painting
Paint	some paints may contain substances that are harmful to your skin	wear gloves (single use latex/nitrile gloves or reusable painting gloves/Lackierhandschuhe) if you are holding or touching your medium during the project
Airbrush Needle	every airbrush has a needle inside which is usually covered/protected, but will become accessible when you disassemble the airbrush for cleaning	handle with care never "poke" the front of the needle
Compressor	compressed air is generated and released through the airbrush the airstream can damage eyes, ears and other sensible organs	do not point the airbrush at yourself or other people
Spray Booth	the adjustable metal plate may bruise your fingers when reverted back to its vertical position	grab the metal plate on the left/right side, NOT underneath

Practical Demonstration

The tutor will show you these steps in detail:

• airbrush and needle functionality (before connecting airbrush to compressor!)
• how to connect an airbrush to the compressor
• change compressor pressure settings
• add paint/change paint
• how "thin" or "watery" the paint needs to be
• turn on the fume hood
• spray examples with varying needle positions (fine line / area fill etc)
• disconnect the airbrush from the compressor
• empty compressor / use valve
• disassemble airbrush
• clean airbrush
• reassemble & store airbrush

Suggested Reading

You can find all airbrushing related pages in Category:Airbrushing.

Remember: before using any shared equipment, you MUST read its wiki page!