Respirators and other safety tips for spraying sealant?

It was amazing watching another yourself makeup tutorial CD from
volks. This guy named Simon was spaying MSC without any types
of mask/ or ventilating device. I could see all the fumes surrounding
him... It could really send a false message to the newbie viewers.

sophie

 

I'm all for protecting your lungs, but I think the whole expensive breathing masks thing is over-doing it just a bit. I usually just hold my breath or do it outside on a windy day. We spray worse stuff than MSC all the time without masks....spray paint, cleaning products, bug killers, etc.

 

WOW!

Are you serious! Well, that's very dangerous! I will post of a picture of the back of the can, and you will see "TOXIC" on the back, I am serious!

 

True, but look at it this way, it may not be a windy day, and some people may have allergic reactions to some chemicals, or develop asma. Never hurts to be extra safe.

 

Okay, here are the pictures, so, this Simon, NEEDS to have a ventilating area,
I am serious, even though the can is mostly another language, it does warn some things about MSC.

MSC

Toxic

Flammable

Caution ( Needs ventilated areas!)

 

Unless you have an allergy, an expensive mask probably isn't necessary for the amount of MSC spraying you'll probably do. Of course, if you do faceup commissions or customisations and regularly expose yourself to MSC, you might want to invest in a mask. It is toxic and regular long-term expose (like working in a MSC factory, or soemthing like that) could be hazardous to your health.

One problem with spray coatings is the small particulate matter that gets expelled from the can. Basically, that's the dust you see floating in the air after you spray. Ventilation and a painter's dust mask will protect against this stuff.

The main baddie in spray coatings is the toluene (a solvent). Since you can get high off toluene, some people deliberately inhale it (frequently and in large amounts) and this can lead to brain damage, reproductive effects, etc. I used to work in industrial hygiene and I do lab work now, and we do deal with toluene - generally, adequate ventilation and limiting expose is plenty to ensure safety. Obviously industrial paint workers will need more protection because they're exposed to it every day, but you probably get more solvent exposure from pollution in the air than you do from spraying a doll every six months. There's some evidence that low concentrations of toluene (mainly through water contamination) can affect developing babies but not adults, so pregnant women should be more careful. Since a regular painter's dust mask isn't enough to protect against solvent vapors, those at special risk (asthmatics, pregnant women) should consider a good quality gas mask, but this really isn't necessary for casual MSC spraying.

 

Oh wow...

Thanks so much everyone! Now I feel a lot more secure in doing a faceup, now that I know how to prepare.

 

It's stuff that you don't want to breath in--it's not good for you, but I've never bothered with a mask. I just spray it outside. Now I only use it once every couple of months or so, and if I was using it very frequently I might consider more protection. Oh--if you're using it outside, make sure the wind doesn't blow it back at you : P

 

And to add to that, make sure the nozzle is facing the doll and not you. XD

But yeah, speaking as a severe asthmatic who's used many art sealants, including Testors, while you might want something a bit more to protect(i've been using a wet rag until I can afford something better) if you use it often, you should be fine if you use it once in a while by just spraying outside and being careful.

 

From personal experience, I'd say get a mask. I've sprayed Testors a LOT without one, outside, in no wind or only very slight wind, and it still always, ALWAYS finds a way to blow back into my face. I finally bought a mask when I started being a little short of breath every time I sprayed my dolls.

 

Get a mask with organic vapor cartriges (^^). The best brand is 3M. It's not suffocating and the air is so clean and tastey when wearing it . Even if you don't plan on doing much MSC spraying - you can use it for other things... such as bleaching your bathroom etc (^w^).

You can make the cartriges last longer by putting them back in the foil packaging.

EDIT: I'd like to mention that MSC has DME (dimethyl ether) as an aerosol propellant... not particularly healthy to get on the skin or to breath in so make sure you are wearing gloves too.

 

huh i did get light headed when i was spraying it

i just keep a wet cloth over my nose and it seems to work, just a quick spray and walk in the house ^^;;

 

I'm getting a new doll and with the weather going downright chilly(below zero where spraying outside is just impossible) I was wondering where other people in cold weather spray their dolls so they don't breathe in the gases. I do own a gas mask but you know...the gases do linger... so what to do?

 

Well, in the winter months, I spray indoors. Once I spray, I open the window to let the fumes out for a few minutes. Seems to work for me until i can come up with something better.

 

I has actually been pretty warm here. Too bad my doll is taking a while to get here.

I plan to step out the patio, spray and bring her into the bathroom with the fan running, or into a room with an open window.

I have a dog, so spraying inside is not an option. What might not bother a human wearing a mask and ventilating, would bother a small dog.

 

xD I spray outside, pick the stand up, along with whatever I'm spraying and take it back inside to dry. : ) Works like a charm.

 

When you take it inside to dry, is the smell still really strong? And how long does it take to dry?

It's around 50f here during the day, although it's also kind of humid. I hope that wouldn't affect the MSC too much, as I'd like to get started trying out faceups after finals.

 

Hmm... I'm incredibly stupid and just spray it inside my bedroom or elsewhere in the house. If I opened a nearby window, it wouldn't set properly. Hasn't killed me yet.

 

I set the head (or whatever I'm spraying) on the windowsill and open the window. Spray, then pick the head up and let it dry in the warm house. ^^

 

Didn't smell at all actually. Only took a few minutes to dry, but maybe that varies with sprays. I use Testor's Dullcote.

So long as it dries inside, I'm sure it's fine, since I've sprayed out in -2C (which is... uh... 28F). Humidity's a different question for me though, I can't say..

 

I spray in the garage during the winter. Even in the summer too. Easier to control the temperatures.

 

Do you at least use mask and open windows after you're done with spraying?

You wouldn't notice any harm on place unless you're spraying for long time and breathing in all of it. But in a long run....

On the subject though, I used to spray on balcony, but it's been getting cold, so I now spray in bathroom. First, warm it up well, them close the door, put A1 size paper on the floor, doll/face plate on the top and spray covering mouth with folded towel and trying not to breath much at all, then open both windows, step out of the bathroom, close the door and wait 10-15 minutes for the coat to dry. Then hold breathe, run in quickly, grab the doll, run out, close the door again and leave it airing for another hour or so until I cannot smell MSC anymore.

I just know that breathing the fumes is not a good idea and I don't wanna take chances.

 

I use to spray on the balcony - even in winter - and let it dry inside.
It does work out fine and I haven't had any problem yet.

 

I spray in the bathroom with the extractor fan on.

 

I was just about to post something like this too. It's not so much that it's cold, because hell, I can handle that (and I can bring the head inside to dry like Devil's Trill). It's that it's so. farking. WINDY. I tried to spray a head last week, and I don't think any of what I sprayed landed anywhere close to the head. I don't know about other people, but I do not feel comfortable spraying in my house, even with open windows, because it does linger. "I don't feel an effect now" is not proof that it's ok to do.

Any suggestions for spraying OUTSIDE, when it's windy? I was thinking a really large box.

 

My first doll I sprayed in my room wit the window open. It was around Thanksgiving, and I left the window open. It took about 30 minutes to clear the smell out. And I don't feel any more braindead afterwards. :P

 

I go into the docking bay at work. (I work nights)

 

I've sprayed outside with MSC and brought the head inside to dry, and there is a noticable and definite smell, strong enough to induce me to open the windows despite the cold. I also live in a dorm room which, while larger than the one I had in America, is still not particularly big.

 

i spray inside and die on fumes, its to windy for me to spray anywhere outside so inside is the only choice.

 

One of the unfinished rooms in my parents basement.. I ran a fan and closed off that section of the basement. The fumes were still pretty powerful though Definately be careful about ventilation if you spray indoors.

 

What bothers me the most is little flakes of fibre attaching themselves to the drying surface while the head is being carried in and out of the house. And it gets really windy in Melbourne, no matter the season. I've been spraying in my shower and closing all doors and just let the fan suck up all the smelly stuff. But it still seems to carry in to other rooms. And sometimes it dries in little circular patterns that is textured and will affect the blushing.

 

I generally spray at the storage room and leave the windows open...I sprayed at the balcony before but MSC didn't dry and ruined my whole face-up XD

 

It'll probably kill me someday, but at home I've been spraying inside, opening the window a bit to let the fumes out. xD At my boyfriend's house, I run outside on their back porch, spray, wait half a second, then run back inside. :P

 

I redid Cass's faceup the other day, so here goes.

- I wait for a day when there's not much wind and precip.
- I get myself a cardboard box
- I put the head in the box and spray outside, BUT the spray with kind of poof out of the box, so be sure you wear a mask (you should anyways), if possible, one that covers your eyes. Or wear goggles or something, I don't know XD;;
- When you're done spraying, bring the head inside to dry. Opening a window and putting it on the sill while you go wait in a different room is good, because the head will reek of fumes >_o;;

 

Just because a product contains no lead or harmful cfc's does not mean it's harmless! Caution MUST always be taken!!! Here is a thread regarding safety -

http://www.denofangels.com/forums/showthread.php?t=21899

And here is verbatum information regarding Testors -

Keep out of reach of children.
Highly Flammable Paint, avoid heat, flame or puncturing can.
Avoid eye contact, skin contact or prolonged breathing of vapors, best to use in a well-ventilated area.
Inhaling contents is harmful to respiratory tract and nervous system.
Product has chemical known to cause birth defects and other reproductive harm in the state of California.
Shake can vigorously before using, reshake often and use at room temperature.
For best desired results, test product first.
Spray with even strokes and do not stop painting in the middle, for the best results.
To avoid wrinkling, recoat within 3 hours or after 48 hours.
To clear valve after use, invert can and spray several seconds, if nozzle clogs, clean with thinner.

 

spraying indoors is BAAAADDDDD, if you absolutly have to :
i thought that having a fan on low to blow any fumes might be a help.
(badly quoted sorry, can't find the original)

another good idea is to get a hugely oversized cardboard box in relation to your item. cut off the flappy bits to make a cube with 1 side missing.

get a large clear or slightly opaque bin bag, cut off the bottom and tape it to the edges of the box. if you use one with a drawstring, it's a bonus as you can pull the open part narrow against your hands.

put your object to be sprayed in the box with your well shaken can and narrow the opening. hold your item and spray as normally as you can. QUICKLY open the bag, take your item out and close the bag again to contain the fumes. put your sprayed item somewhere safe to dry. take the box outside and open away from you. leave for at least an hour to empty.

 

i used Tester's coat, and i sprayed in my house when it was very cold out, it was in my basement and i had a heater going so it keeped the room around 70. my boy coated really well. I on the other hand ended up having to go to the doctor because i breathing in to much of the stuff, beleive it or not it burt my throat . would i do it ago YES because i have no regard for my own personal safety

 

i used Tester's coat, and i sprayed in my house when it was very cold out, it was in my basement and i had a heater going so it keeped the room around 70. my boy coated really well. I on the other hand ended up having to go to the doctor because i breathing in to much of the stuff, beleive it or not it burt my throat . would i do it ago YES because i have no regard for my own personal safety

 

I use Testor Dullcoat, and on the can it is labeled in red that it causes birth defects if breathed in too much, over a long period of time. I've since the start developed this fear of it's smell, so I'd always wear a mask, spray, fan, and wait. It's probably best to breath in as little or none of the fume.

 

In this "safety" thread is a photo of member Paul wearing the niosh mask that is recommended for this type of work -

http://www.denofangels.com/forums/sh...ad.php?t=21899

 

I spray outside and wait out there till the head dries (when I've sprayed in the cold and brought them in where it's warm to dry, I've had problems. When I let the Testors dry in the same temp, it doesn't seem to be an issue). This helps protects my lungs but the rest of me gets really freakin cold. I can't spray stuff inside at all, it really bothers me.

 

If you are not wearing a niosh-approved mask while spraying outside, nothing is helping protect your lungs. Adequate ventilation is needed in conjunction with a mask.

One set of lungs per life, guys.

 

Inhaling this stuff can seriously effect your nervous system and respritory system, guys. I get headaches, athsma attacks and shakes if I breathe it. Please be safe!

In the summer I spray outside (without a mask) and be sure I am upwind. If you smell it, you're breathing it. In the winter I try hard not to do as many faceups and things because I'm stuck using the garage which is not all that well ventalated, just well away from the living areas of the house.

If you can at all SPRAY OUTSIDE AND BE SMART ABOUT IT. If you absolutely cannot wait until weather permits, spray in an area away from your living spaces, don't breath a lot, and spray only when absolutely necessary. Even better, invest in a mask. Although, I don't find the price of a mask worth my one faceup every 4 months or so. Perhaps if I was offering commissions.

 

" One set of lungs per life, guys."

That can't be overstated. And don't forget, it's not just the fumes which can be harmful, but the fine droplets in the air. Testors, MSC, and other aerosolized coatings are just that: coatings. They can stick to your insides just as easily as they can stick to your doll's face.

And don't forget about pets, either - if you spray indoors (bad bad bad bad don't) and have pets, especially birds or fish, but anything with wee sensitive lungs, even fumes that don't "bother" you can kill your critters.

I'm fortunate enough to live in a place with very mild winters (it's 68 degrees here now) but pay for it in the summer, when I have to stare at the humidity guage for days, waiting for a day when I can spray.

 

I've personaly covered the bathtub with newspapers (many layers) and sprayed there and let the window open and closed the door. (Of course my family was warned to go in there for some time

 

In finland we tend to have long winters, and damn cold ones.
This winter was kind of warm and we didn't have much snow outside, but still, I coated inside my house. I wouldn't go out praying because I don't know how msc works in cold weather.
In summer, I tend to coat outside if it's not too windy.

 

I always spray MSC outside on my back stairs, wearing both a respirator with replaceable cannisters, and splash protect type goggles. It's windy and damp on my hill and I can never predict which way the MSC cloud is going to fly. Spraying a good thorough coating and immediately carrying the head back inside to dry has been working very well. I put the drying head under one of the work lights so that the heat of the lamp draws any floating dust up away from the head and so I can see if there are any particles I need to remove with tweezers or a toothpick. I've been getting much better results since I started bringing the heads inside to dry, no clouding at all! Leaving the heater on with the window open isn't very energy efficient, but it's only for ten minutes or so.

 

I run outside spray it, then I put the part in the bathroom to dry with the vent on, it lessens the chemical smell

 

Sorry to revive an old thread.

I will be purchasing a new mask to protect myself against MSC and airbrush vapors but I am unsure of what chemical content exactly I'm protecting myself from.

Are the following masks alright? They are all NIOSH certified.
North Half Mask 1
North Half Mask 2
3M Half Mask 1
3M Half Mask 2

Thanks in advance!

 

I got this mask the other day: http://www.uline.com/Browse_Listing_1026.asp?desc=Dust+Respirators+with+Valve (it's the one in the upper-right corner) and it said it was used for protecting against drywall and fiberglass, so I figured it was alright. I was doing some drilling and fine sanding yesterday with it on and I could smell the resin while I worked. It kinda freaked me out a little.

So I went back today to get another bit and asked one of the guys there, who then proceeded to scold me and said I had to use a respirator, this one specificly: http://www.uline.com/Browse_Listing_992.asp?desc=Reusable+Respirators+%26+Supplies (The half-face one). But when I read the box it seemed that it was only for vapors like paints and insecticides. I wasn't going to spend 30+ dollars just yet, but I will if I have to.

The smell doesn't bother me at all, and I have a degree of asthma so I would assume that if I was inhaling dust I'd know. Is the one with the valve that I have alright (And the smell just comes with the territory XD) or should I get the respirator?

 

If it's for sanding resin, a dust mask should be fine. I'm not entirely sure though, but it is a dust, although a fine one.

http://www.ipmscanada.com/safety.html
" Very effective against particles (dust) of the sort generated by sanding wood, “resin dust”, etc. "

If it's for spraying MSC though, you should probably go with a respirator, as it is like a gas. I wear one for spraying and I have had no problems whatsoever.

I'm not an expert on the topic, so this is just my thoughts on the subject.
Good luck finding what you need!

 

I wear the mask that you have at work as I saw through composite materials reinforced with glass and carbon and remove epoxy. It hasn't given me any trouble, and I have asthma as well. I'm pretty sure that if I was breathing in any dust through that I would have had an attack by now. I think you're ok, and I seriously hope so... I'm going to borrow one from work when I need to sand my girls seams...

 

A MASK is to take care of particulate matter, like resin dust.

A RESPIRATOR removes fumes, like those produced as you sand the resin and a tiny bit of it vaporizes from the heat or is released from microbubbles in the resin itself.

Unless you have issues with fumes, a mask should be just fine. It is the dust that is toxic, not the small amount of fumes released.

However, if you have issues with fumes, such as allergic reactions, you should wear a respirator (which will also remove particulate matter IF you also have the particulate filters on it).

In either case you should always sand underwater, outside, or in an extremely well ventilated room. If you have birds you should NEVER sand in the house. Birds are extremely sensitive to both the particulates and to chemical fumes.

 

hmm, i spray msc alot, i have one that says good for protection against dust and air particles, but that isn't good enough right? My dad has a gas mask from the air force, do you think that would be ok? ^^

 

If you spray in a well-ventilated area or outside you should be fine.

Do not spray in a house if you can help it, and even if it is subzero outside NEVER spray in a house with birds.

 

Wet-sanding can also reduce your risk of resin dust, but using a mask is still recommended.

Lishe

 

Whew, that's good to hear!

I don't do any work that requires sanding or spraying indoors, I always take it outside or to the garage with the door open if it's raining. For the sealer I usually just put on the mask and then hold my breath, I'm very sensitive to certain fumes, I can barely use hairspray XD The resin smell doesn't bother me at all, oddly enough.

Thanks a lot everyone!

 

I didn't find any posts that had any answers to my plight, so I started this thread. If you know of any other threads that might help, please post a link here, i'd appreciate it.​

Alright. I live in an absolutely awful area for sealant-spraying weather. I adore doing face ups, and would like to open a commission shop. However, the climate of this region would love to disagree. It's terribly humid much of the time, but I can watch for drier days. The real problem I am worried about is the approaching winter! It gets very cold up here; below freezing almost continually for much of the winter. I live in a small townhouse with no garage or basement, and I have a roomate who values her lungs. Can anyone tell me how they get around any of this? I was considering fleeing to the art department of the college campus nearby, but as I've graduated a while ago, they may not be entirely receptive to that idea. I really need some help on this one, I'm running out of ideas.

EDIT: Okay, I thought of a crazy idea. I have a small cement patio outside, and there is an outlet. I am now considering purchasing a space heater to plug in out there, and spray the pieces near it. (i'll turn it off during the actual spraying, we don't need a fire!) If I leave them outside by it, it might just be warm enough to work. I can bring them inside after a bit, and let them finish drying overnight between coats. Has anyone tried anything like this, or am I just bonkers? I'm going to try this in the end of October on my own doll, and I will post the results here, for anyone who is curious. If I open a shop here, you'll know it works.

 

Ok, this has been my experience. Somehow, I ended up with a number of dolls that came in cold weather...I sprayed Testors outside and waited outside for it to dry. I haven't had any problems doing that (except for being very cold and my neighbors thinking I'm very strange for hopping up and down trying to keep warm while brandishing a doll head). The times I've had trouble, has been when I sprayed out in the cold and then brought the head inside to dry. The differences in humidity/temperature caused the testors to dry funny and end up with odd white patches or peeling.

I don't know if other people have had similar experiences or not with cold weather.