spray painting safety - what's your protocol?

D

DB731

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Feb 10, 2013
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Specifically, are organic vapor respirators overkill or a good idea when spraying oil-based enamel rattle cans outside or inside a vented garage? The warnings on the cans do mention such respirators, but only in the context of spraying indoors and/or experiencing symptoms.

These two sites seem to suggest slightly different approaches:

http://mycolortopia.com/blog/gettin...-mask-when-spray-painting#hMv0SLsbVJ5owFmP.97

http://www.callingithome.com/2013/01/spray-painting-safety.html


For the longest time I have considered the spray approach safer than the brush approach, due to shorter exposure duration, but this site suggests otherwise:

http://www.actsafe.ca/wp-content/uploads/resources/pdf/IATSE_paintbulletins.pdf

("Brushing, Rolling, and Dipping
Minimize the chances of inhalation exposur
e to contaminants by brushing, rolling and
dipping, instead of spraying paint and other material".)




What's your take?
 
Couldnt hurt - but outside, as long as you watch the wind it should be fine without (depending on the amount of spraying you do)

I sprayed a computer case, 6 coats (3 colour, 3 clear) over a few days and didnt wear a respirator, but the breeze was blowing away from me all the time.

Painting the fence (2 coats over 3 days - sprayed with HVLP gun) i did wear a respirator - partly because of the paint, partly cos the fence is Asbestos
 
Echo63 said:
Couldnt hurt - but outside, as long as you watch the wind it should be fine without (depending on the amount of spraying you do)

I sprayed a computer case, 6 coats (3 colour, 3 clear) over a few days and didnt wear a respirator, but the breeze was blowing away from me all the time.

Painting the fence (2 coats over 3 days - sprayed with HVLP gun) i did wear a respirator - partly because of the paint, partly cos the fence is Asbestos
Click to expand...

What I have done couple of times was use a portable fan outside, away from me. Asbestos fence? Never heard of that. I bet people really stay away from that one.

So basically with spray paint it's two major things to be careful with, the paint particles and the solvent vapors, correct?
 
Email 3m directly, let them know what you are planning to do and they will provide you with the exact model of respirator and filters to match. They are super friendly, helpful, and know their stuff.
 
My vote is to wear the mask. at the end of the day, its cheap insurance, and prevents accumulated damage.

Echo, my first thought on your comment was "I bet he's in Aus" I've been finding that there is asbestos in all kinds of stuff here. The frightening part is watching the remediation teams work.... makes me not want to be anywhere near where they are.
 
Indoors I provide as good a ventilation that is practical. Most of my painting with the small spray cans is outdoors or very quick kinds of things indoors. I don't wear a respirator when doing small jobs.

I often use oil based paints with an airless sprayer. The inhalation exposure is huge. I wear a respirator unless it is very minimal spraying and the windows open with a draft/breeze. Even with a respirator, I have nearly passed out. Good to have somebody watching your back as you really can't judge yourself how you are reacting to the paint exposure yourself. This is the kind of deal where you are painting for hours or need to be.

I believe the inhalation exposure is worse with spray.
 
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