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Anyone out there have experience using CO2 for airbrushing. I live in Houston with high humidity and have started using it for condensation reasons. The only drawback is that CO2 may be too dry, causing the paint to dry before or upon contact with the surface. Thinning at 50% seems to help, but still getting a slightly granular finish. Any tips?
Dave Plummer
Posts: 9 | From: Houston, TX, USA | Registered: Aug 2000
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Sounds like a good idea. The only thing I'd worry about is that CO2 is heavier than air, so you should equip yourself with a good exhaust system. For solvent based paints, the use of a dry gas is excellent. I know I used compressed air, and it has a moisture trap upstream of the air-brush to eliminate mixing oil and water.
Posts: 62 | Registered: Jul 2000
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Personally I don't like the idea of a co-2 cylinder in my garage. I am sure if you contact an auto body supply store in your area, they could tell you what would be the best filter to use on a compressor for your application. Some of the new exotic paints on the market can cost as much as $600.00 plus a gallon as on the FORD Mustangs "MYSTIQUE'. The cost of the filter would be probably cheaper in the long run than refilling co-2 tanks. Bob Cochran aka BabyChoo@aol.com
Posts: 39 | From: Canyon Country, CA 91351 | Registered: Oct 2000
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I have not personally tried this but I know a fellow who does exceptional painting of brass using Nitrogen. This slows down the drying of the paint and has no moisture in it. This is also very safe as air is 79% Nitrogen anyway so you are breathing it as you read this.
Allen
Posts: 1 | From: Anderson, SC, USA | Registered: Nov 2000
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Just a Safety reminder, If you are using CO2 or Nitrogen to power your air brush make sure you have a window or door open. Any gaseous substance that replaces oxygen will kill you. We had a mechanic power an air drill with nitrogen in a confined space. The nitrogen replaced the oxygen and killed him. Practice safety. Have Fun!
------------------ Rod
Posts: 3 | From: Rio Vista California | Registered: Dec 2000
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The real safety problem associated with using CO2 or N2 is the cylinders that store them under high pressure. The cylinders must be secured in the upright position and fastened to a wall so that they don't tip over. If they do tip over and leak,the cylinders will behave like a land locked torpedo and destroy (or hurt) anything in their path.
An airbrush should not consume enough gas to cause a breathing problem. The fumes from the paint are far more dangerous.
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Dave: I have been in the auto-body repair, refinishing business for 39yrs. Depending on the type of paint you are using, enamel, lacquer, acrylics, etc; there is a product called, "retarder", which you can add to your paint, to slow the drying time down. The more you add, the longer it will take for the paint to dry! Another benefit of, retarder agents, is that they also allow the paint you are applying, to flow-out, to a smooth finish. Just make sure you don't apply too much paint, mixed with retarder, at one time, or you can, "run", or "sag", the paint!! Happy trails... .....Richard Posts: 144 | From: Yanceyville,NC. USA | Registered: Nov 2000
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Dave: I have been in the auto-body repair, refinishing business for 39yrs. Depending on the type of paint you are using, enamel, lacquer, acrylics, etc; there is a product called, "retarder", which you can add to your paint, to slow the drying time down. The more you add, the longer it will take for the paint to dry! Another benefit of, retarder agents, is that they also allow the paint you are applying, to flow-out, to a smooth finish. Just make sure you don't apply too much paint, mixed with retarder, at one time, or you can, "run", or "sag", 
the paint!! 
Happy trails... .....Richard 
