Respirators for 2K??

[AlexBB]

Hiya Guys,
Well I decided over Xmas I was going to try and step up the finish I can get with clear coats as I will be soon getting a new extractor and wanted to start using the 2K system that @Paul has been using on the cars...

Being a bit of a cheapskate when I comes to buying essentials (consumables that will end up in the bin... even if eventually) such as a respirator I thought I could 'blag' one through work and get a few spare cartridges to keep me going for a couple of years (Shhhhhh!!!! )

Anyways.... Had a word with a mate at work about the 3M 7500 + 6051 (A1 Organic Vapour filter) + 5925 pre-filter + 501 Retainers as sold on various sites...

My mate at work used to work for 3M as an engineer... He gave me a number and I had a long chat with a guy on the Tech helpdesk who has told me 100% that this mask only suitable for what are termed 'Conventional' paints (1K, single pack, air dry etc..) and is NOT suitable for use with 2K paints (which contain Isocyanates) at any level under any circumstances and that supplied air (SA) i.e. Piped from an external air source and filters with a half or full face mask is required (full face mask where high airborne concentrations occur due to absorption through the membranes in the eyes ).

I raised the fact that I would only be using about 30ml to 50ml of mixed 2K Clear Coat at a session and that it would be infrequent (for me anyway, about one / twice a month) and he said it didn't matter it was the fact it was atomised and breathed in or absorbed..

I am aware that this is applicable to "The Workplace" and requirements under COSHH assessments and PPE requirements and at home I can take whatever risks I choose to! He referred me to HSG178 which states;

"Vapours and spray mists containing isocyanates are highly irritant to the eyes and respiratory tract, and are reported to be one of the main causes of workplace occupational asthma. People can become sensitised to isocyanates so that even minute concentrations can lead to severe asthmatic attacks. Advice is available in several HSE publications including HSG53 Respiratory protective equipment: a practical guide for users14 and L55 Preventing asthma at work: how to control respiratory sensitisers"

Just wondering if anyone knows any better and is this just scaremongering??

[Paul]

Air fed is the only way really but unless your gonna pop for a £300 system that respirator is better than nothing

[digger303]

What is isocyanate poisoning?
Methyl isocyanate vapors are severely irritating and corrosive to the respiratory tract and eyes. Symptoms may include cough, chest pain, shortness of breath, watery eyes, eye pain (particularly when exposed to light), profuse lid edema, and corneal ulcerations.

http://www.hse.gov.uk/mvr/bodyshop/isocyanates.htm

Generally it attacks the lungs.

Pretty good reason to stay away from 2 pack paints.

[barrythornton]

Pretty good reason to stay away from 2 pack paints.

............. Dat shine tho !!!!!!!!!
To be more helpful, theres an informative chat here in a Spray Painters Forum about this very subject.
One tip I did pick up, a few guys who would class themselves as `garage` car sprayers wear clear swimming goggles to seal from eye moisture absorption. As well as the right cartridge filters in the mask for what you are using.
Car Spray Paint Forum

[niro750]

2k shouldn't really be sold to the public. I have some I haven't used because it's dangerous. You need proper extraction and technically the filter system on the extraction should burn the chemicals off or deal with them completely. It is irresponsible to vent them outside and no respirators will stop the atomised particles. You are meant to wear full body protection and have a fresh air fed mask.

Anyone doing different is playing with fire but that's up to them. These are only models and is your health with it to skip a little more sanding and polishing of 1k? Some people don't really value or care about their physical health but I try to. I know it's not as good but for the foreseeable I'll be sticking to 1k.

An apparently from what I read a few years ago you only need to breathe it in once in a small quantity to have life long effects.

I will say that I know a friend who has a friend who has painted with it for years without proper protection and he is apparently fine but I don't think any risk is worth it. Maybe it's because I work offshore where health and safety is taken very very seriously but I would advise against anyone using this for models in an incorrect environment.