MSC can be harmful to your health?

Just about any fixiative that could be used on BJDs/artwork/whatever will be toxic, not just MSC. There is really nothing to worry about so long as you use it outside where it's well-ventilated. You can also use a face-mask if you're overly concerned, but I dont' see that as nessesary.

 

I'm not an MSC expert, but I've used other sealents for different things, and they had that "God you know this is going to be bad if I take a huge whiff.." Which I never did, but I imagine that MSC is just as bad for you as any other kind. But more effective on your doll than most, so I hear.

 

Right. Everyone should be careful with any kind of spray paint or lacquer (such as MSC), and only use it outside or in some VERY well-ventilated place. If you can smell something, you're probably breathing in particles... Things like thinners (acetone) are toxic too. Just make sure you have a window and door open to air things out while you're working with stuff like that. If you're careful (as in just making sure you're not breathing a lot of stuff in!), it should be fine.

Just as a note--I airbrush small paintings and always use a two-filter respirator, not a simple dust-mask or even those single-filter masks. It's just smarter to be safer now than sorry later! When stuff is sprayed you can't see it in the air but you're breathing particles into your lungs--so even with non-toxic paints, it's not good!

 

Definitely, definitely, definitely wear a two-filter respirator when spraying MSC (or any reasonable facsimile thereof). The contents of the spray are extremely harmful, and there have been reports of MSC-related deaths overseas. You should also wear a dust mask when sanding resin, as inhaled particles can cause complications in the lungs.

Basically, any small particles are bad to inhale, so use good judgement when working with such substances. :grin:

Thinners, nail polish remover, and other such substances are less harmful, but you should also be careful to use them in a well-ventilated area.


~Kalmia

 

Unfortunately, I have not been able to obtain an MSDS from Doll & Hobby for Mister Super Clear.

I expect that the problem is aliphatic and possibly aromatic hydrocarbons, and, quite likely, chlorinated or otherwise haloganated solvents.
That's what's usually toxic in spray paints & such-like.


Does anyone know if something like a Material Safety Data Sheet is required in Japan?
If it is, does anyone have, not merely good Japanese, but specific chemistry vocabulary?

I have a pamphlet that explains some of the terms in the English MSDS's, which are a little complicated even for chemists.

Ann in CT

 

I don't speak japanese, but am well versed in MSDS. I have no idea if they are required in Japan. I expect they have something similar. Although the specifics of what types of health effect are interesting to note on MSDS, you can get a pretty clear idea of its issues bylooking at the 4 color key on each sheet. Higher numbers are not good in the health section. Hope that helps and doesn't just explain the obvious.

Yvonne

 

It could be that Mr Superclear uses solvents that are now monitored in the US, or CFC's...some years back paint manufacturers had to change their formulations to comply with new regulations limiting the amounts of certain substances...I am certain that all that stuff is all bad for you if you breathe too much in (cancer, definitely brain damage, I know...)

Oh, those silly polution laws...we are only allowed so many pounds of poison chemical crap per cubic meter of air.

Ozone layer...what?

 

Actually, it's quite the opposite. Because of the litigious nature of the US products are often very much 'dumbed down' or outright banned as 'toxic'. For instance, there are certain colors of watercolor paints not available in the US because the pigments are considered too 'toxic' (though, oddly, it's easy enough to buy the raw ingredients and make the paint yourself). Anyway, unfortunately due to some people for whom common sense is a challenge and/or they wanted to make an easy buck off a lawsuit we end up with generally rather watered-down product.

MSC-specific... From a discussion I had with a rep who handles the Krylon line it may not be the ingredients of the product itself but how finely the nozzle sprays. He had some fancy term for this but I can't recall it offhand. At any rate, products in the US apparently are allowed to spray only down to a certain particle size. MSC sprays *extremely* fine and thus there is a higher risk of inhalation unless one is wearing a mask rated to a certain degree.

So yes, it's toxic. Anything fixative or spray sealant is toxic. Many paints are harmful when sprayed through an airbrush. There are loads of solvents, including commonly used solvents such as acetone, where the fumes are toxic and in many cases it can be rather harmful to have them on your skin.

The resin of the dolls themselves is toxic, in fact! So don't eat your doll. ^_~ Actually, it's toxic (to varying degrees depending on the resin type) in it's liquid form and, most importantly to us, the dust created by sanding the doll is toxic.

I'm really sensitive to sprays and solvents (and resin dust) but since I *love* the velvety feel MSC lends the resin (plus the protection) I take all precautions and use it anyway. I work in an art store so I've had the chance to try out a lot of different products and nothing compares, IMO. I have a good double cartridge respirator that I got back when I was doing more airbrush work and I change the filters as recommended by the manufacturer of the respirator. I think I got it at Home Depot which had the best price. I've also found it handy when we painted rooms since paint fumes...woooo.... x___x It's been a handy item to have around the house!

 

How heavily do I need to spray MSC on a blank face? I know a couple coats of it are recommended, but does that mean two "light" coats, or a fairly slow, thorough coating each time? I have a respirator to wear, and I intend to do this outside. I'm concerned that air blowing will make the coating less than complete in some areas. Any suggestions are appreciated! Thanks!

 

Aww, damn, there goes all my plans for doll soup.
Shin: See, I told you it wasn't much of a #&C(ing threat. XP
Zoi: Still doesn't mean you can be an ass. -_-; Just throw you down a well or something...

Just though this isn't entirely needless spam -_-; I've found that light coats seem to work just as well as heavy. In fact, when I've sprayed too heavily it seems more likely to chip.... ^^;

*makes a mental note to steal one of her father's dustmasks in future* Must've killed a whole lot of braincells doing customizations.... ^^;

 

Thank you, Zoi! Watch that resin soup! Nasty stuff!

 

Please elaborate! I haven't heard the reports of MSC related deaths! EEEEEEEEEEK!

I don't have a problem with MSC, however... the volks cleaning sponges totally make me hack up a lung after just using it for seconds. It is like someone sprinkled fleas into my lungs. Yick!

 

I've had an MSC-related doctor visit, because I was spraying outside and then the wind changed suddenly and blew the whole lot back in my face. Funnage.

Bascially, I got a tightening of the chest and windpipe which made it very difficult to breathe. It hurt like hell and it took me a few days to get over.

 

From what it sounds like, MSC may be more volatile than the Testors I've been using.. The other night I was spraying in high winds and at least 3 times the wind turned and blew it right into my face and eyes >_>; It stung for a bit but then it went away.

Granted, by this point I've worked with so many sprays and chemical fumes that they tend to not cause me great distress-- generally I'm quite good at not getting in the way and not breathing the stuff in. I was rushed the other night, though..

As with any spray or chemical, just be safe. Especially if it's something without a lot of information that we can gather in english, it pays to be extra careful. Me, I read the labels on the stuff I use and if it doesn't frighten me, I tend to not worry (the more I worry, the more I mess up and probably /will/ spray myself with it >_> )

 

Ew, I know... the little particles are icky stuff. I hate 'em, too. ><;;

It's been a while since the news came up, so I couldn't tell you any specifics... I think it was on the old DoA that I heard it, but I wouldn't know what to search for. (The Yahoo search is a piece of crap, anyway.) She was some sort of professional customizer, so she was exposed to the stuff a lot, and she was probably spraying in poorly-ventilated areas (or indoors! *shivers*), since there's not much space for doing such things in Japan. I'm pretty sure the news was picked up from some Japanese site. I'm not sure if there have been other such cases, but there was a minor panic on DoA for a while after someone mentioned it. ^^;

It's a creepy thought, to be sure... think of the emphysema one could get from having their lungs coated over time in stiff resin. Gggguh. T_T


~Kalmia

 

I've just recently started using MSC. But whenever I use it I wear not only heavy duty face filter for chemical particulants, but also wear goggles and gloves (as I always just hold the head out with my hand for spraying). We also have a windsock and I check the direction the wind is blowing before spraying. But, winds do change, so I wear all that protective gear just to be sure. Better safe than sorry! It's corny, but true.

Jay

 

Let's say I'm pennyless (just a what if- I'm actually so wealthy I eat money) and would love to save the money on the respirator and protective gear, is it safe to cover my face with seran wrap, or some sort of nose cover, hold my breath, spray MSC on the doll, and take a high heels out until it dries? (while it depletes the ozone layer )

 

Does that mean you have to spray it in a more ventilated area than outdoors?

 

DO NOT BREATHE THE STUFF IF YOU HAVE LUNG CONDITIONS LIKE ATHSMA!!!!!!!!!!!!

<.< My friend and I had a faceup party a few nights ago, and I ended up with an athsma attack that night, complete with shivering and random chills. I suppose there is no such thing as a "well ventilated area" that does not involve being physically outside if you have lung problems. It's well worth the money to send it to a professional who has the facilities to spray for you.