Brush painting older humbrol enamel what precautions?

[degsye39]

Hi all late to the party and recently found out about the mek issue with enamel paints and their eu ban.. I've been using humbrol enamel since i was a kid and have amassed hundreds of tins via ebay etc. i dislike acrylics and find that they just scrape off, Yet old humbrol just goes on so right.. Literally has to be filed off!

 

My question to those in the know  is does the mek ban just cover spraying etc. am i at risk brushing enamel paint on? If so should i now be wearing a respirator or potentially using a spraybooth? Or am i alright slapping it on with a brush and an open window?

 

Cheers to all

[Rabbit Leader]

The mere fact that you’ve been using Humbrol paints for years and are still alive to tell the story would suggest your ok and probably not going to depart this earth as a result of this hobby. Using various items of PPE is wise and having some form of ventilation is always recommended, even if using acrylic paints. 
 

I’m not familiar with the MEK ban, although would probably think it’s mainly targeted at big industry and prolonged use by their employees, rather than people like us…. or at least I would hope so! 
 

I’m sure other members may have a different outlook on things, but I wouldn’t sell up your paint stash just yet… you’re hardly the world's worst polluter. 
 

Cheers… Dave 
 

 

[Circloy]

Suspect the OP means MEKO not MEK

 

 

[Steve McArthur]

18 hours ago, degsye39 said:

Hi all late to the party and recently found out about the mek issue with enamel paints and their eu ban.. I've been using humbrol enamel since i was a kid and have amassed hundreds of tins via ebay etc. i dislike acrylics and find that they just scrape off, Yet old humbrol just goes on so right.. Literally has to be filed off!

 

My question to those in the know  is does the mek ban just cover spraying etc. am i at risk brushing enamel paint on? If so should i now be wearing a respirator or potentially using a spraybooth? Or am i alright slapping it on with a brush and an open window?

 

Cheers to all

Any product bans regulate the manufacture and sale of products, and not the end user's method of application. If you bought it, you can spray it, brush it, huff it, snort it or drink it if you so choose. They can't really control what you do with the products your already have in your possession, but can easily stop manufacturers from selling more.

 

If "acrylics" don't work for you, try lacquers.  I love MRP for spraying and use AK RC and Hataka Orange for spray or brush.  When Model Master enamels in the States started dropping colors and eventually folded I tried acrylics and hated them as well and switched to lacquers.

[Listel]

Hi,

Personally I would not mind. As long as you don't drink your old Humbrol or keep sniffing it 24h/day there are no issues. Certainly when brush-applied, avoiding spraying.

I've been using old enamels 45 years and still like these paints. I also use acrylics due to their huge range of colours, allowing me to avoid mixing paints to get a certain shade. Contrary to popular belief, you can use acrylics on enamels and reverse. I've never had any issue when using enamel on an acrylic undercoat... Note that my models are always receiving a coat of Mr Hobby surfacer 1200 prior painting, this helps for sure.

Cheers,

François 

[Troy Smith]

18 hours ago, degsye39 said:

Or am i alright slapping it on with a brush and an open window?

yes. 

 

The MEKO ban is about paint in general,  not model paint that is used tiny amounts.   It is unfortunate for the modeller.

 

The dose make the poison is the great quote of toxicology.

 

Many things are toxic in the right does,  I recall reading an toxicology handbook, with a section on LD50 tests of rats or water, salt, sugar, fats.... everything is toxic in the wrong amount.

 

19 hours ago, degsye39 said:

i dislike acrylics and find that they just scrape off,

If you expect acrylics to behave like enamels,  and apply them like that,  and treat them in the same way,  then yes, they scrape off. 

They work very well as long as you understand how to use them, that they form a film around, rather than sticking too plastic, and need to cure, not just dry.

 

Anyway, if you have a load of old Humbrol,  use it and don't worry.   

 

I have things done in old Humbrol and it had excellent coverage even on tricky colours, so I understand the appeal but I really do not like dealing with the solvents and smell and avoid oil based paint unless I really need it. This is more in DIY, but that is what put me off oil paint originally.

 

HTH

 

 

[Flanker37]

returning to the hobby after 30 years. i still had some remnants left over from the purge. to start my spitfire off i cracked open the lid of an un-opened Humbrol 120 to do my cockpit. never occured to me to look at the bottom of the tin

i wonder when the heck i bought this

[Rob de Bie]

On 12/6/2024 at 1:50 PM, Flanker37 said:

returning to the hobby after 30 years. i still had some remnants left over from the purge. to start my spitfire off i cracked open the lid of an un-opened Humbrol 120 to do my cockpit. never occured to me to look at the bottom of the tin

i wonder when the heck i bought this

 

You can roughly date a Humbrol tin using my 'Humbrol tin evolution' webpage:

 

https://robdebie.home.xs4all.nl/models/humbrol.htm

Rob

[Flanker37]

On 12/7/2024 at 10:47 PM, Rob de Bie said:

 

You can roughly date a Humbrol tin using my 'Humbrol tin evolution' webpage:

 

https://robdebie.home.xs4all.nl/models/humbrol.htm

Rob

interesting. according to that mine is from 2002-2004. and yet i dont remember going out to buy it. i never even had the notion of returning to making models then

[pigsty]

You could buy Humbrol paint in Fenwick?  My, how times have changed.

[flyboy2610]

56 minutes ago, pigsty said:

You could buy Humbrol paint in Fenwick?  My, how times have changed.

I thought they only made wine.