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Re: Painting Report - 69B

To: Trevor Boicey <tboicey@brit.ca>
Subject: Re: Painting Report - 69B
From: Barney Gaylord <barneymg@ntsource.com>
Date: Thu, 29 Oct 1998 01:52:13
At 11:31 PM 10/28/98 -0500, Trevor Boicey wrote:
>....
>  Oh man. At LEAST use a $25 dual charcoal canister mask. Paper filter
masks are IMHO for peace of mind, not for any actual protection.
>....
>  Isocyanates are SERIOUSLY nasty. 
>....
>  In summary, NEVER spray hardened paints without a full compressed air
breathing rig. Cars are hobbies, death is serious.

Yeah, I knew that was coming, and after this message I'll likely get flamed
again.  But any rumored reports of my death are still a bit premature.  I'm
not a professional painter, not exposed to this stuff on a daily basis,
maybe paint one car in 10 years, and then I'm not in the paint shop for
more than 10 minutes.  Mind you I'm not advocating that anyone should start
sniffing this stuff for recreational purposes, or that anyone should expose
themselves to it for any substantial length of time without fresh air
breathing apparatus.  I have spoken to multiple paint suppliers and a (one)
paint manufacturer about this type of paint, and in each case the response
was "Moderate ventilation and limited exposure should be no problem".

And no, I'm not going out of my way to argue the point, or to attempt to
prove anything legally about the safety or toxicity of the stuff, or to
collect affidavits of testimony from the suppliers.  I understand that from
your point of view everything I've said about what others have said is here
say, and I'm just expressing an opinion.  But, to the best of my knowledge
I have suffered no ill affects from my limited exposure to the stuff.
Unless becoming an internet junkie is one of the serious side effects?

IMHO, no one (of reasonably good health) will immediately drop dead, suffer
hardening of the lungs, permanent brain damage or spastic seizures from
limited short term exposure to spraying acrylic enamel with a hardener in
it.  And yes, I would advocate using at minimum a carbon granule filter
mask while spraying any type of paint with solvents more serious that latex
house paint.  I have a container of Wet Look Acrylic Enamel Hardener in my
hand.  Standard health warnings and directions for use are on the
container.  Anyone who wants to use the stuff, please read the label and
act accordingly.  I am not going to read it for you.

Incidentally, I believe the original question was "What did you guys do
about breathing apparatus?" (which I answered honestly), not "What should
you do for breathing apparatus?".  And I want to thank Trevor for his
concern for my well being.  It's nice to know there are people who care.

Barney Gaylord
1958 MGA with an attitude


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