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safe spray-painting ---how?

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  • Member since
    November 2005
safe spray-painting ---how?
Posted by Anonymous on Sunday, August 28, 2005 8:26 PM
Although I don't use the airbrush too foten (I don't really have time for building), I do use it now and then. It kind of concerns me that my hobby-workshop is actually a corner in my bedroom - and I don't have the means for buying a spray-booth. (Grad student...) So I use a huge box to catch the overspray (and use acrylics). I do use a mask, but the pigment particles linger in the air for a long time; even hours after spraying and I'm concerned about my girlfriend's health as well. So, what to do?
Build a booth? How? (I'm not really expert in electronics. In fact, I know preciously little about the practical side of it.) Open the window and use fans to get the air out? Paint in the patio? (A bit tedious when you only need to spray a cockpit: bring out everything, set up, bring back.)
Any suggestions? ?aybe somebody out there has more common sense than I do...
  • Member since
    November 2005
Posted by Anonymous on Monday, August 29, 2005 3:27 AM
Without a spray booth you really will have little option but to paint on the patio. You are right that the spray particles will stay in the atmosphere for a prolonged period (and settle out on your furniture/clothes etc (ask me how I know - my mum was furious!!) Acrylics are still hazardous to health. Be aware that any mask you use has to be rated for liquid aerosols and a standard dust mask will not give enough filtration. If you do a forum search there are posts regarding spray booths and I have previously seen a link giving booth schematics. Best of luck.
  • Member since
    September 2004
  • From: Utereg
Posted by Borg R3-MC0 on Monday, August 29, 2005 3:42 AM
I also would like to suggest to build a spray booth. Id you do it yourself, it doesn't have to cost much. The wireing is not that complicated, just a simple on/off switch.

  • Member since
    May 2003
  • From: The flat lands of the Southeast
Posted by styrene on Monday, August 29, 2005 6:56 AM
Andras,

Bad idea: Spraying into a box to catch overspray is doing nothing more than concentrating organic vapors into one area and increasing the potential for overexposure to organic solvents through inhalation. In lieu of a spray booth:

1. Spray outside.

2. If you need to spray inside, stay away from rattle cans, and try to use your airbrush exclusively. Throw the "overspryay catcher" box away, and open the window (If you're from Florida, this should not present too much of a problem even in the wintertime.). Position a room fan behind you and at a slight angle to your work area. This will create some cross-drafting, will blow generated vapors out of your breathing zone, and with an open window will help dilute any organic vapor concentrations. Make sure you leave the room door open to help move as much fresh air as possible.
Next, get yourself a good respirator. It should include a silicone/rubber half mask with organic vapor cartridges and paint pigment prefilters. Normally, hardware stores stock a variety of these things in kit form, so you don't have to go hunting for the right components. They are worth the $20-$25 dollars you'll spend for them. Keep your respirator clean and cartridges fresh by storing them in a plastic bag when not in use.
Use the absolute minimum amounts of paint and thinner to get the job done. Try using the color cup instead of the bottle (if so equipped) to do your spraying. Don't leave solvent-saturated rags, paper, etc. lying about after use. Take them outside and throw 'em away as soon as you can. Keep paint, glue, thinner, and other solvent-related products capped when not in use. Wear nitrile or latex (if you're not allergic) gloves to avoid excessive skin contact/absorption.
Lastly, something to remember: Just because you can smell organic vapors doesn't mean you are being overexposed to them. Most organic solvents (there are exceptions of course) have odor thresholds that are significant orders of magnitude less than what it would take for you to be overexposed; however, taking a few precautionary steps as mentioned above should keep you pretty safe.

If you have any additional questions along these lines I can help you with, please feel free to shoot me an e-mail.

Hope this helps some.
Gip Winecoff

1882: "God is dead"--F. Nietzsche

1900: "Nietzsche is dead"--God

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