Spray painting
Airbrushes are hand-held and used instead of a brush for detailed work such as photo retouching, painting nails, or fine art.
Spraying paint with compressed air can be traced back to its use on the Southern Pacific Railroad in the early 1880s[1] In 1887 Joseph Binks, the maintenance supervisor at Chicago's Marshall Field's Wholesale Store developed a hand-pumped cold-water paint spraying machine to apply whitewash to the subbasement walls of the store.
[2][3] Francis Davis Millet, the decorations director for the World's Columbian Exposition in Chicago in 1893, used Binks and his spray painting system to apply whitewash consisting of a mix of oil and white lead to the buildings at the Exposition, taking considerably less time than traditional brush painting and turning it into what has been called the White City.
[7] In an automatic process the gun head is attached to a mounting block and delivers the stream of paint from that position.
The result is a higher proportion of paint reaching the target surface with reduced overspray, materials consumption, and air pollution.
Alternatively, a turbine unit (commonly containing a vacuum cleaner type motor, reverse mounted) can be used to propel the air without the need for an airline running to the compressor.
HVLP spray systems are used in the automotive, aviation, marine, decorative, architectural coating, furniture finishing, scenic painting, and cosmetic industries.
There are three main technologies for charging the fluid (liquid or powders): With this method the paint is flung into the air by a spinning metal disc ("bell").
This type of system is used by contract painters to paint heavy duty industrial, chemical, and marine coatings and linings.
Airless pumps can be powered by different types of motor: electric, compressed air (pneumatic), or hydraulic.
Hydraulic or air-powered airless provide a more uniform pressure control since the paint piston moves at a constant speed except when it changes direction.
Manufacturers who mass-produce wood products use automated spray systems, allowing them to paint materials at a very high rate with a minimum of personnel.
Flatline machines are designed to specifically paint material that is less than 4 inches (10 cm) thick and complex in shape, for example, a kitchen cabinet door or drawer front.
Flatline systems are typically large and can paint doors, kitchen cabinets, and other plastic or wooden products.
Its effective design promotes efficient paint application, minimizing contamination and maximizing the quality of the finished product.
[10] To ensure the ideal working conditions (temperature, airflow, and humidity), these environments are equipped with ventilation, consisting of mechanical fans driven by electric motors, and optionally burners to heat the air to speed paint drying.
Toxic solvents and paint particles are exhausted outside, possibly after filtering and treatment to reduce air pollution.
They may rent space and time in auto body shops or set up their facilities in association with schools or artist cooperatives.
Similarly, using solvents to clean one's hands of paint marks and residue may cause skin irritation or even more serious issues since many are carcinogenic or neurotoxic.
There are risks involved in working with substances such as paint and thinner, which contain compounds that are potentially harmful to health, or even fatal.
[16] Two common components include: Spray paints contain hazardous chemicals that can expose a worker to possible side effects.
If the chemical is of high concentration, side effects such as headaches, nausea, vomiting, and loss of consciousness can occur.
Symptoms of xylene exposure can come in many forms including headaches; dizziness; confusion; loss of muscle coordination; and in high doses, even death.
This can be a big issue for spray painters who are exposed every day especially if individuals are not wearing proper equipment to combat these fumes.
It can potentially affect certain organs within the human body including the liver, kidneys, and even cognitive functions relating to the brain.
Jules Olitski, Dan Christensen, Peter Reginato, Sir Anthony Caro, and Jean-Michel Basquiat have used airbrushes, for both painting and sculpture.
