Acrylic or the filthy stuff ?? I use only acrylic and have not tried it below 60, which was ambient temperature in my basement. My wife does not allow me to work in a heated environment.
I have no exact data, but I have painted at 50-55 degrees and find that the paint seems to behave slightly different. I would rather it be over sixty, so I just wait until it warms up. Is there a specification on the side of the bottle? Also, check the manufacturer's website and ask them the question.
Can anyone comment on minimum temperature for spray cans? I need to dullcoat (Testors), but the can reads "70 degrees minimum". Don't want to wait until next spring, I don't airbrush, and I don't have a fume hood...
jasona: How do you know that? Is it published somewhere? It does make sense that closer to freezing temp of water or liquids, the viscosity would change. I was glad to see someone agree with me!
Do what I do. Hold your breath, spray the Dullcote, and leave the room in a hurry! Come back in a half hour.
Slightly off topic, but I recently painted a plastic structure (Walther's R.J.Frost) with Testors Light Earth from a spray can. Being an "Earth" color I expected it to be a flat finish. It came out quite glossy. O well easier to apply the decals, and there is always dullcoat. Which after applying several coats. I still have a glossy finish. Anybody got a clue what might be happening here?
sd90ns: I know the problem. The dullcote will not always cover a high sheen from a gloss paint. It certainly will not look the same as a dull finish that is then covered with dullcote. Any chance to weather it? Use colored washes or chalks. How about some alcohol spray to distress it some. (light, light alcohol spray).
Thirdrail,that works or just buy a good quality dust mask. Campp,when I used to use cans,I'd pre-heat the can in some hot water,not boiling,just hot enough to be able to stick your hand in.Leave for a minute or two,just enough to heat the contents abit & shake ALOT! As for temp,well I use a dirty big halogen lamp over the spray bench & hold air-brush & job up to the light,even during winter I've had no probs (5-10* C ),only with clear coates would the ambient temp be pretty critical,ie: warm weather
From experience only, I'd say 60 degrees F. minimum. At the other extreme, I'd avoid spraying at above 90 F. in very high humidity.
I just put warm water in the bucket and get on with it! I never use dullcote, since weathering with an air brush negates the need. If you hold the brush back more than 6" from the model, the paint will partly dry before it gets there and you will get a bumpy surface that scatters light. Tony Burzio San Diego, CA
Loco1999: I wouldn't use an airbrush unless the temperature was 60 degrees or higher. Stay cool and run steam.....
Less than 60 degrees, poor paint finish, mostly "Orange peel" or runs and sags. More than 60% humidity, paint adhesion problems. Causes me to paint in many "batches" that meet these criteria rather than just any old time. YMMV
TiVoPrince Wins the prize. That is correct below 50 degrees and more than 60% humidity and you get a lousy finish period and won't dry. The optium temp. and humidity is 70 degrees and 40% humidity. That goes for all products water born or petrolumin based. It all traslates across the board because it's chemestry and physics I should know I do painting for a living Davis Custom Applications. We paint and restore Historic, Victorian, and Railroad structures, Locomotives, and Rolling stock. "Still Training After All These Years"
