7 replies to this topic

[wombatjock]

Getting a bit ahead of myself, and thinking about spraying. The cost and logistics of paying someone to do it for me are pretty much prohibitive.

 

Well I say getting ahead. I'm getting closer to having the front end done, and I would want to spray with 2k epoxy mastic before moving on to the rest of the car, so maybe not that far ahead of myself.

 

I was originally planning to use cellulose, and with having done a bit of research (it's for a 1993 Mini Sprite) am now thinking about 2k.

 

There's lots of conflicting thoughts on a proper air fed mask (Silly money for mask, filters. Moving the compressor out into the fresh air. Flow rates to cope with both breathing and spraying) against using a 2A-P3 filter for one-off jobs.

 

I'm erring on the side of isocyanates = very very bad and steering away from the latter.

 

I came across a couple of alternatives in the states that pump air into a full mask (to be combined with a suit and gloves).

 

They seem pretty equivalent; the Hobbyair and the Breathecool systems. They look ideal for the home occasional 2k sprayer, although still pretty expensive. Also seem to be very difficult to source in the UK, although 220v systems are available. 

 

I did find one from Germany which is 220v for about £600 shipped (with a long lead time) from an aircraft supplier.

 

Anyway.

 

What are your thoughts on this (and 2k spraying at home in general)?

 

Jim

[wombatjock]

I've just realised that I've posted in the wrong topic. Sorry admins

[sonikk4]

I sprayed 2k in my workshop. I did have two compressors, a 4hp 200ltr for spraying with and 3.5hp 100 ltr for breathing air connected to a three stage filtration system. That comp went bang so ended up using a 'Y' to split the air supply between my airfed mask and the spray gun from the 200lt unit.

 

Not the best but it worked.

 

I did have to make a extended air intake pipe for the compressor though as its a big bit of kit and not on wheels.

 

So are those bits of kit you showed us any good?? i think i would have a trawl through the interweb and Youtube to see whats said about them.

 

My mask i borrowed from work by the way, and its had its own micro filter in a belt pack and water drain.

[harrythehat]

recently have been using 2k from Jawel paints

great bit of stuff and reasonably priced £40 delivered for a 1 litre kit inc hardener and thinners to colour of your choice, way better than my local @£56 a litre plus vat just for the paint

 

best smelling 2k ive come across LOL

 

don't have a proper spray booth

I use a large oscillator type fan (household type) made a box around it to put air in and an door ajar at tother end to get air out, puts in a good volume of air and keeps dust in air down very well.

 

never had an air fed mask just used an ordinary for years Using this technique

Take Deep breath, spray a panel or two then get out, get round a mini in 6 breaths or so.  great for breath holding training, can still do a length of 33m pool underwater without a problem.

 

Don't advise this if your not used to breath holding or paint fumes

but then i'm 3 parts mad, love the buzz of clear laquer and @ 63 hasn't killed me yet LOL

[Icey]

I took a lot of advice before painting ours. The consensus was that for a single car an air fed mask was overkill. There are 3M filter masks which have filters with densities high enough to keep out the real nasties and that’s what I used.

Biggest problem was huffing the thinners when cleaning the gun!

Edit: I also covered up with a paper suit, gloves and goggles as you can absorb quite a bit through eyes and skin.

No goggles in this pic as I was making sure the air line reached the back of the car!

https://imgur.com/a/NLfXHld

Edited by Icey, 01 September 2018 - 12:09 PM.

[sonikk4]

We as a forum must ensure that any advice given with respect to spraying meets the current H&S guidelines. 

 

SO the onus is on YOU to thoroughly read any guidelines given for the paint you use. All because someone has been spraying for 20 years without an airfed mask does not make it right.

 

Anything with Isocyanate in will cause health issues so wearing the correct PPE is a must. " my mate says this is fine etc etc etc is just their view"

 

You are born with one set of lungs and that is it. Its not scaremongering just a fact that some of these things will get you. maybe not today or in the next twenty years but it will get you.

 

Bodywork, Paint and Detailing

Warning
 
Please be careful when answering peoples bodywork questions that you do not misguide them into taking inappropriate action. Not only is this annoying, but it can also be costly and could even be dangerous if the wrong information is given (for example spraying and the use of masks). This is why we ask that only first-hand and factual information is posted in reply to peoples queries. If you are not 100% certain of your reply, be sure to point out your uncertainty.
 

[bluedragon]

I have a Hobbyair breathing system. It works great, and I spray not just 2K but polyurethanes (which have a more potent concentration of isocyanates than the majority of 2K automotive finishes.)

 

It works perfectly well. I wear a full painter's suit (pretty cheap) with gloves and have a painting hood with replaceable eye shields (once they get foggy with overspray.) The forced air mask doesn't just supply breathing air, it also pressurizes the hood forcing any paint fumes away from my head and preventing them from leaking through.

 

I can attest to its effectiveness because my skin has become sensitive to isocyanates and starts to burn and blister if in contact with the fumes or liquid. Back when I used a regular cartridge respirator for spraying some 2K with a small amount of optional isocyanate hardener, I got burns on my face I couldn't explain. Turned out it was the fumes touching the parts of my face that weren't covered by my respirator, goggles, or paint mask. So if anything leaks through now, I'd know because I'd see the burn areas. (which take weeks to heal and left some scars.)

 

If you go for one of these note that the base unit itself needs to be placed where there is clean air that isn't going to get any fumes from the spraying operation. So you need to calculate how much hose you need to span that distance from the base unit to your work location. 

 

Also, the unit is very noisy - it makes a terrific howling sound. Not good if you like to paint at night and have neighbors or family that might object. You could probably create some sort of sound muffling box for it if needed though. I've thought about using an old plastic insulated ice chest with holes for the hoses and intake air (baffled with foam if need be.) But noise isn't really a problem where I live.

 

 

Dave

[wombatjock]

Thanks Dave.

 

It's a lot of money, but it's not just for the final spray... I want to be spraying the front with epoxy mastic soon (once the welding is complete), which also contains isocyanates. Then each section as I complete it.

 

Sounds like it's probably worth the investment. I'll ponder on it a bit more.

 

How did you acquire yours?

 

Certainly more cost effective than compressor driven gear, and easier to cart outside than a compressor. Heck of a lot more space efficient than a second compressor too...

 

Jim