Speaking of painting...Respirator tips

[Tim Taylor]

Imron is a brand of paint ,much like  calling all tissue Kleenex,and is a polyurethane enamal based paint, so don't be fooled by paint that says something other than Imron, if it's ployurethane based. The same safety precautions apply.

"Non-Clear coated "Two-"Part" (catalyzed) enamels (epoxy or polyurethane, or acrylic urethane, and others):
Though technically considered enamels, could be considered in their own category due to their special characteristics. These are paints like IMRON, and are polyurethane enamels. They set-up (cure) fast, are very resistant to solvent damage. The down side. Very difficult to touch-up/repair (especially if metallic and/or pearl), very expensive, very toxic and, because they dry very fast, if you're not careful (and quick), you can find yourself with a gun full of hardened paint, which can get expensive at $250.00 to $500.00 a gun. "



Be safe.

  ----- Original Message ----- 
  From: humptybump at comcast.net 
  To: discussion at nsrca.org 
  Sent: Thursday, January 20, 2005 2:50 PM
  Subject: Re: Speaking of painting...Respirator tips


  I agree with you on Imron.  The auto guys around here don't use it at all. Really nasty stuff i understand. I think it is was mostly used on aircraft.

  Bob Richards had a good point on mask fitting.  I learned from the painters how to check for both positive and neg. seal on the face. Do this everytime you put the mask on. If you have a beard like Bob's , you need a space helmet.....hahahaha Bob!!!

  The touch-up guys at work at are not allowed to spray inside at all....per OSHA.   They use are a very quick drying  paint that is worse than PPG acrylic's (kind of like Imron danger, but not as bad).It sets up within a few minutes of application. I don't even get close to them when they are spraying. Have run from the area holding my breath more than once!............John



    -------------- Original message -------------- 
    As far as Imron goes, I had read in an airplane magazine that a fellow had been painting his Christen Eagle in an open field with IMRON, and apparently felt that being in the open air was precaution enough.  He was pronounced DOA at the hospital, due to catalyzed paint clogging his lungs.  A couple of years later, I had my El Camino painted with IMRON by a professional spray company near where I lived.  The spray booth was a completely enclosed tent looking structure  (one of those crisscrossed by ropes) and had a positive air pressure setup.  This structure was outside, in the open air.  When  the man went in to spray, he was dressed as if he was going on a moonwalk.  Totally covered, pressure mask, lines, air supply, etc.  The booth had a window, and I walked over to see what was going on inside.
    Another employee politely :suggested that I might prefer to look at the goings-on from inside the office, (where nothing could be seen, incidentally.)
    He stated: "we only insist on this procedure when IMRON is being sprayed."  That's when I decided that I really didn't want anything to do with the stuff.

    Bill Glaze

    humptybump at comcast.net wrote:

      I guess the pro painters that live with this stuff should all be dead  . I havn't seen one yet with a fresh air system , and they work 8-9 hours a day in the paint booth.  hmmmmmm.

        

        -------------- Original message -------------- 

        This is my understanding also....that there is no canister-type mask that will protect you from isocyanates (i.e., acrylic urethane paints such as PPG Concept), and the only truely safe way to use isocyanate-based paints is with a remote air supply.

        It is not just inhalation of vapors that is problematic, it is also absorption through eyes and skin.  Isocyanate-based paints are dangerous and some folks can have very bad reactions to trace amounts of isocyanates.  Err on the side of caution.

        Andre'
          ----- Original Message ----- 
          From: MKMSG at aol.com 
          To: discussion at nsrca.org 
          Sent: Sunday, January 16, 2005 8:44 AM
          Subject: Re: Speaking of painting...Respirator tips


          Clay:  What model 3M mask/filter is safe (as stated by 3M) for use with isocyanates?  My experience has been Dupont states that a self contained or supplied fresh air system is the only safe way to spray their isocyanate based paints.    

          Mike Moritko

          In a message dated 1/16/05 11:11:10 AM Central Standard Time, clay2 at highstream.net writes:
            Hello all,

            I sell Dupont brand out of my parts store.  A word about the 3m Masks.  They are widely and almost exclusively used by all the professional painters in my area.  One thing you DO want to do when storing the mask in the re-sealable package along with cleaning them thouroughly is to remove and dispose of the canister pre-filters. If you do not, the canister will deteriorate just has if a painter would use them everyday.  New pre-filters are available from anyone selling the masks.

            Clay Schmidt


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