Airbrush beginner questions

[iron knoll]

A kit like that will give you the basics: a compressor (decent and reliable one) and a cheap airbrush.
https://www.amazon.co.uk/Timbertech®-ABPST06-Airbrush-Compressor-Piston-Kit/dp/B00LM9ROGG/ref=sr_1_15?crid=3SJKZI5YNY1DV&dib=eyJ2IjoiMSJ9.QxZ1TBVJoCdTZL9W0IsoBs1-8MKKvIPD4Km4Cd2DlvE1cEujPxGyUEr7jg8Gm_Uc558m6pb8kemxukghfoOS7fKwxVfdWvbDCmtcFuXqEOdbZ8xcwsHesSu-p-ZhyAajp2doyyW2aPGYAZEwpuxLBsJUcezk6HUCiGubUdNqVrCHoS5RROSLqTQbEtb0qF3UaUzv-Ombxa_hJi7Zq3VlVO11ciyxsgBMzcuPwJYebTMAmjoUOKoOVNE0ei_wHFaTY2sf_ueFDOtPF8imv2PaMQTN2EIEJLD-SKrUcsdeYx0.2nGK76o_MfNUGWNKhxSwtzUuRpraz1sFPuR4MHCRZWI&dib_tag=se&keywords=airbrush+kit+with+compressor&qid=1720471544&sprefix=airbrush+%2Caps%2C94&sr=8-15&ufe=app_do%3Aamzn1.fos.d7e5a2de-8759-4da3-993c-d11b6e3d217f

To that you need to add:

• a breathing mask with cartrides like this one:
  https://www.amazon.co.uk/3M-Spray-Paint-Respirator-6502QL/dp/B07GT7D1B2/ref=sr_1_6?crid=3GIVZO14FJ442&dib=eyJ2IjoiMSJ9.JC6spz7Gg3dfVMcD75kFwLNsgxkoc6AlziUGUQKChaJOqVnhSicYMui_LyuAMVrsNw7jwIOhCHW6dFtEQEy6jXVjekbYY26puzOSJ02lL3zvzHQk2XrK1klzDdwt9U7uP5hsc7yiFS5axclh7JCnjWmR36YvMx39gA0N9K7Qq4V2utSTVT6mVlCEWSHGwNHvVYkxd8Q6b8IaWo0zYRrOpAVJ5S0VWa9l1q46WcYReaH5K775dauipn8Bst68mXu5qQU0sW-t1YYIJHPqGCaAjXCzBmCQ-XT1DzWJPKVHOD0.sHBExzk-LMzG3c90YYbsKmOQcROTUzzFxlMx1MquCFA&dib_tag=se&keywords=3m+respirator+a2p3&qid=1720471817&sprefix=3m+A2P%2Caps%2C102&sr=8-6
• a cleaning pot
  You can make some thinner/cleaner by using windex if you're in US. If not a mix of 1 part of windscreen cleaner with 2 or 3 parts water will do.
  You can use your paints, no need to buy airbrush paints.
  A cardboard will be useful to capture the overspray. And, obvously, you need to do that in a well ventilated room.
  That's for if you're using water-based acrylics.

[solemn sluice]

Do you have some sort of basement/garage with a door to the outside area? That could be your airbrushing space.

Then you'll probably need one of those, but I never used any so I am not sure we can rely on them to keep your interior clean from paint dust
https://www.amazon.com/Airbrush-Spray-Booths/b?ie=UTF8&node=12898811

[full coral]

@primal stratus My airbrush setup is this Master with this Master Dual-Action airbrush. I also grabbed this cleaning kit.

That's before adding in the airbrush thinner, airbrush cleaner, and airbrush-ready paints. (Or the Needle Juice, makeup sponges and other peripherals.)

The airbrush setup alone will run you about $200. While I'm sure it's best to always wear a mask and have great ventilation, that's not reasonable for a new user, especially if you're only spraying acrylics at lower PSIs. Use an old COVID mask or bandana. Open a window and turn on your AC.

Full disclosure: my airbrush setup was designed with $500 earmarked for it, after having had a terrible setup for almost a decade. I bought a new desk, lamp and other tools for the painting desk. It totalled out a bit under my maximum, which precluded a spray booth or negative pressure chamber. Gas masks are still difficult to obtain, and while I have one, it's overkill for spraying acrylics as I mentioned. You still want to avoid inhaling the aerosolized paint, though.

@primal stratus see my second thing, in re masks. I usually don't even use a bandana. If you avoid over spray and stay a foot or more from the model, you'll probably be fine. I only mask up when it's toxic paint.

You don't want aerosolized paint in your lungs, but if it's being sprayed in front of you, it shouldn't be near your nose

Aerosol cans? The propellant is toxic.

As I said, a bandana or kn95 is fine. My respirator mask is kn95 filters for when I'm doing enamels

[iron knoll]

Please don't give bad advice. Even if acrylic paints aren't toxic or even harmful, there will be particulates in the air when spraying. These can go in the lungs, and the finer they are the further they go. And once there, they don't get eliminated.
You might not need a breathing mask for acrylics, but at a minimum a FFP3/P100 mask is required.

[full coral]

Required?

Recommended.

[iron knoll]

It's your lungs. You only have one set of them.

[olive siren]

recommended… if you enjoy having working unhindered lungs for your entire life, if you enjoy not exposing yourself to potential or known toxins or carcinogens, if you enjoy your health