[FrankR]

After reading everything I have read, I want no part of shooting my car with the paints containing the isocyanates. I don't have a facility to shoot it anyway, but regardless, I don't know how I could get a fresh air respirator and suit.

So, what "safer" paint alternatives are there? I know none of them are safe and I should wear a good mask anytime I paint, but what "lesser of evils" is out there to work with that will perform well?

[BarryK]

You can buy ISO free 2K primers or UV primers.
Basecoat, you can buy waterborne.
Clears you can buy UV cured.

May be a little safer, if not after you did your first job with the above you would give up the hobby, so I guess that would make it safer.

[wreckedGTI]

Originally Posted by BarryK

You can buy ISO free 2K primers or UV primers.
Basecoat, you can buy waterborne.
Clears you can buy UV cured.

May be a little safer, if not after you did your first job with the above you would give up the hobby, so I guess that would make it safer.

Hmm not to sound like a dumb arse or anything but.... Is BarryK stating that
it's a PITA to work with such products?, I guess ISO's and a fresh air
respirator is the way to go, albeit with a slight healt risk involved in the process.

[mrcleanr6]

hey barry,

we used to spray uv clear when i worked for viking. that stuff is way worse for your health than stuff with iso. when it first got implemented we sent 3 people to the hospital for chemical burns. you have to be real careful with the stuff, it cant touch your skin. one guy made the mistake of getting it on his hands, he wiped them off then went to go take a piss. i'm sure you can just imagine. not sure if all the uv stuff is this way but ours was nasty!!!

[BarryK]

Is BarryK stating that
it's a PITA to work with such products?, I guess ISO's .
*************************************

Yep, unless you are very experienced and set up for it and totally understand what and why you doing whatever your doing.
bk

******************************************
we used to spray UV clear when i worked for viking. that stuff is way worse for your health than stuff with ISO.
************************************************
First let me say I agree 100%.
What if he had whipped it out and poured activated clear over that thing?
Give me a choice I will take the clear as it will dry and fall off. That burn will last a while!

Now, but these are ISO & VOC free products, they must be good for you?

Here is a trade secret because the EPA, tree huggers jam this false crap down our throat and most people don't understand VOC's.

My 2K primers use to be 4.4 voc. Here is what I did to change the product to make it 2:1 voc for California. Dumped the solvent in the hardener can and replaced it with Acetone. That is it! Nothing else changed, solids the same, sprays the same, drys the same and oh I saved 30 cents a can by doing this.
Its now 2:1 VOC so that is good for you! *&^%(#$

[MARTINSR]

Frank, if you have good air movment, a good respirator, you are pretty safe. If you want to really protect yourself, get a fresh air system like a HobbyAir for about $400.00 at Autobodystore.com.

Brian

[FrankR]

I keep thinking that surely a fresh air breather wouldn't be impossible to build. The hard part would be keeping the air supply hose from getting tangled as I work my way around the car. I suppose it would just have to be one more thing to be conscience of as I move around.

I am seeing these guys on all the bike builder/car builder shows seldom wearing any protective gear other than a charcoal mask. Not a good example to be setting. Glad I have learned to be more conscience of what I'm breathing. I'm pretty sure I've suffered some damage from inhaling and practically bathing in Tolulene years ago at a job before I knew any better.

[BarryK]

Originally Posted by FrankR

I am seeing these guys on all the bike builder/car builder shows seldom wearing any protective gear other than a charcoal mask. Not a good example to be setting. .

888888888888888888888888888888888888888888888888

Its all that is required, and that is what about 90% of the painters in this country use.

Remember when people on these shows put on safety goggles to blow their nose, they know what they are doing as the lawyers are watching!

Your statement about the toluene, I would only be concerned if you were pregnant at the time.

[Paintguy]

I use a filter mask most of the time for convenience, but switch to the air-fed when I'll be in the booth for a long period of time, or I'm doing interior/engine bay type stuff, where there's the risk of the paint blowing back in my face and being absorbed through the skin or eyes.

With a booth full of car and several hanging panels, it can become a bit of an assualt course when wearing an air-fed. I feel much less 'nimble', and of course you now have 2 hoses to keep away from the panels, one from the wall to your belt filter, and one from that to the gun.

And whatever you do, don't stand on your hose when using a gravity fed gun! Full trigger and no air makes a right old mess!