A respirator and proper ventilation is absolutely necessary when using paints like this because the fumes and vapors are highly toxic.
Not recommended for in home use!
Urethanes – A very durable paint commonly used in the industry of custom automotive graphics and muraling. These paints have a certain way they flow that is beloved by many. Because of the chemical elements and very fine pigments the paint runs very thin and can be operated at low pressure. They also dry slower than water-based products which leads to less clogging in the airbrush tip.
While there are paint lines like Custom Paints Inspire line which are purely solvent-based, there is also Createx Auto-Air which is a primarily water-based paint that offers solvent-based additives like 4030 Intercoat and 4020 Automotive Reducer that make the paint have properties closer to that of a urethane paint in terms of durability, flow and tip dry.
Oil-Based Enamels – This is a highly durable and adhesive paint with a glossy finish and self-leveling properties. The big names in oil-based enamels are the iconic 1 Shot Lettering Enamel. and new to the scene but very popular Alphanamel. Originally designed for hand-painted lettering, this product can also be airbrushed with permanent results. These paints cannot be airbrushed strait out of the can but when reduced with high-temp reducer they make for a very durable airbrush paint that will adhere to any surface. It’s even been used on T-shirts, as famously done by Ed “Big Daddy” Roth.
Artists’ Oils – Yes, this traditional medium can be used in an airbrush when heavily reduced with a solvent such as turpentine or mineral spirits. It’s tricky to find the right atomization with these, but the technique has been perfected by some artists. Airbrushing with oils has been more or less phased-out by contemporary airbrush paints.