Questions about paint

[Miss Match]

1) When to use spray paint?
2)How do you get the smell of paint off of whatever you're modding?  (esp. goggles)
3) How to get modelling/spray paint off skin?

[Narsil]

1) Spray paint is generally used to get a smooth, even finish over a relatively large areas quickly. It has the disadvantage that it can tend to fill in fine detail if you're not careful. For model and prop making etc spray cans are generally used mostly for primers and base coats. Using air driven spray equipment (airbrushes etc) will give a much greater degree of control and quality of finish than cans. Also spraying requires good ventilation since the propellants in cans and the paint mist itself can be harmful. In skilled hands spraying can also be used to get very fine control over transparency and tonal graduations for example airbrushes are usually the preferred method of painting flesh tones on prosthetics and 'monster suits' etc.

2) IF you use the appropriate paint for the material then any smell should disappear on its own once the paint has fully cured (this may take a few days). Acrylic paints have virtually no odour wet or dry. The smell of oil paints can hang around a lot longer but they have very limited uses in model making etc.

2) Most paints should wash off skin with soap and water relatively easily with perhaps a bit of scrubbing. It's also a good idea to use gloves and/or barrier cream with any solvent based paint or if removing all traces from your skin is a high priority.

[Miss Match]

Also, how do you remove spray paint from plastic?

[Thomas MSwift]

  Minor overspray can be removed (before it's totally dry) with a cotton swab dipped in mineral spirits or paint thinner. This you do in GOOD VENTILATION...solvent vapours are bad to inhale! Lighter fluid (for the liquid-fueled Zippo lighters) is a good paint and goo solvent as well.
  If you want to strip off a whole coat of spray paint, you have two basic options:
 1) Sand it off. This risks loss of your surface detail and takes either electrical power or elbow grease.
 2) Use Easy-Off spray-on oven cleaner. This, once again, needs to be done in a well-vented area, but it will strip the paint off and usually not damage the plastic beneath.

[von Corax]

I'm given to understand that model railroaders often use warm brake fluid and an old toothbrush to strip factory paint off styrene models. Of course, it will depend on the paint; you should first test it on a non-visible part of the plastic, then on a non-visible part of the paint, and get a new toothbrush for the bathroom...

[InTheDark]

warm? D.O.T 3 through 5 will eat clean through paint. FAST.
 it also eats through plastic. some concrete and skin. REALLY FAST.

temperature doesn't really matter.

brake fluid is serious business.