The Stovebolt Site Forums The Shop Area Paint and Body Shop What I Can Breath and What I Can't Breath?

Gonna be sprayin' some window garnish with PPG ALK-200 Alkyd enamel in the garage pretty soon. This is un-catalyzed enamel and I have about six or eight cartridge type respirators like Binks, AO, Wilson, Bausch & Lomb, 3m, etc. Just wondering if these are still all right for use with the newer paints as long as I’m not using any hardener or catalyst? Now the DP50LF epoxy primer is a catalyzed material, right? And am I gonna end up on a slab if I shoot a little of this using the respirators I just described? Just about all of them say not for use with polyurethane paints and that they are only good for organic vapors and dust.
Denny Graham
Sandwich, IL

Denny,
It makes little difference if the paint is catalyzed or not. It also does not matter what company makes the respirator. Those you listed are all reputable. I prefer a full face over a half face respirator, just because it eliminates eye irritation.

What does matter is that the cartridge must be rated for the paint you are using. In order to determine if a cartridge is rated for the paint you are using, you can go to the PPG site and print out a copy of the MSDS sheet for the paint you are spraying. Cross check the compontent and concentration list of the cartridge with the component list in Section 2 of the MSDS. Both the ALK-200 and DP50FLF have a littany of VOC compounds that need to be addressed. Most of which can be taken out with a standard activated carbon cartridge rated for paint fumes.

A lot of paint cartridges have an exemption warning for polyurethanes due to the potential for free isocyanurates, which a paint cartridge will not take care of. You likely won't find a paint with free isocyanurates in most automotive finishes.

The only one that I have seen used on several trucks is Imron from DuPont. This is an aviation paint that requires the use of an air supplying respirator because of what is in it.

Thanks Dave,
I sprayed five vintage motorcycles and my biplane frame with black Imron about 20 years ago and I used one of these respirators with out any side effects. Then a few years later I sprayed three coats of two-part epoxy on the floor of my new hanger and bout killed my self. I felt like I had a bad case of the flu for a few days after. I used the same respirator and same style cartridges for that. All of the filters I’ve been able to locate, like I said, state for organic vapors and dust. Well I guess I’ll just have to wait a few weeks till the weather warms up and I can open the garage door and I’ll just make sure I’m up-wind of the mist.
Tain’t like I never sprayed anything before but it has been a while and all the new compounds sound life threatening when you read the labels. I poured 50 gallons of material (dope, thinners and reducer) on my biplane back then, and used nothing more than a 50c dust mask. I’d shoot till I couldn’t see any more then step out till the mist cleared and take a breather. Needless to say I walked around high for a few hours after each session, which lasted most of the winter of ‘80, but haven’t noticed any long lasting problems. I sprayed a lot of the old style primers, lots of lacquers and my share of enamel years ago, often times without even using a mask. Dumb move in retrospect, but still I survived it and after all, I wasn’t doing it for a living, like everyday.
Older now, hopefully wiser now, and for sure a lot more concerned about my health. After all I’m shootin’ for 100 and I gotta be a little more careful now days.
Denny Graham
Sandwich, IL

I prefer to smoke mine. Just joking Denny, use a good respirator, lung problems can come with the smallist of irritations. I don't like smelling anything but a steak on the grill.

I had a neighbour years ago that spent a bunch of time stripping woodwork in his basement. After his kidneys shut down the doctors told him it was likely due to the chemicals that he had used. He eventually passed away after a failed transplant. Man, there are no second chances with this stuff.

Hey Denny,

What kind of Bi-plane & do you still have it? I'm a huge aviation fan! Grew up right next to an airport.

I used to refinish racing sailplanes w/ gel-coat. Had to use the best possible respirator w/ all the laquer thinner and MEK.

Lee

Lotusboy, Yep, Pitts S1D, IO320 and 3/4 of a Wag-Aero Wagabond, which is a Piper Vagabond clone. And I still live on an airport but can't afford to fly anymore.
Never heard of cyanide sensitivity before, I new a few people who became sensitized to epoxys. I worked a lot with carbon fiber pre-preg for the last five or six years before I retired. No argument bout keeping exposure down to a minimum with any of these materials.
Denny Graham
Sandwich, IL