Paint Hardener Safety

From what I understand their is a lot of advantages in using paint hardener, but on the downside the fumes are very toxic.

So my question is, if using case ih red paint, do I really need hardener?

Is their "safer" hardeners out there?

Lastly, if I end up using hardener, I will be painting out doors, so will a good 3M isocyanates approved Respirator do the trick.

You don't have to use hardener with IH 2150. It will make mistakes easier to repair, and you can sand out the defects and apply another coat, or rub out the sanded finish, that doesn't work well without hardener. But, the finish you get depends on surface preparation and your skill as a painter, not hardener. There may be hardeners without as much isocyanates, but they are all toxic. Painting out side will NOT give you protection as the paint swirls around you. There are no cartridge respirators approved for Iso's, 3M or otherwise. If you don't believe that, wade through the several page spec sheet that comes with it. Don't believe any paint salesman that tells you otherwise, it is not true.

ALL paint is toxic ! Use the proper safety gear whether it is catylized or not.

The iso's in hardener is the worst part. Many people just use a charcoal mask for protection -- that is not good enough, but charcoal masks are ok for uncatalyzed paints. To be super safe you can use supplied air for everything.

The only way to be safe using paints with ISO type hardeners in them is with a supplied air respirator system. there are several models out there the will work well. Different prices, models, etc. I got mine off of ebay. price the units and find one that fits your budget. Google them and read and make your choice. Good luck with your paint job.

(quoted from post at 08:21:56 03/07/10)

[b:366be813e1][i:366be813e1][u:366be813e1][color=red:366be813e1]There are no cartridge respirators approved for Iso's, 3M or otherwise.
[/b:366be813e1][/color:366be813e1][/u:366be813e1][/i:366be813e1]
If you don't believe that, wade through the several page spec sheet that comes with it.


Don't believe any paint salesman that tells you otherwise, it is not true.

Click to expand...

I added the emphasis. It's exactly true and correct. The ONLY way to protect yourself is to use a supplied air mask.

(quoted from post at 22:01:46 03/13/10)

(quoted from post at 08:21:56 03/07/10)

[b:acb8fd5849][i:acb8fd5849][u:acb8fd5849][color=red:acb8fd5849]There are no cartridge respirators approved for Iso's, 3M or otherwise.
[/b:acb8fd5849][/color:acb8fd5849][/u:acb8fd5849][/i:acb8fd5849]
If you don't believe that, wade through the several page spec sheet that comes with it.


Don't believe any paint salesman that tells you otherwise, it is not true.

Click to expand...

I added the emphasis. It's exactly true and correct. The ONLY way to protect yourself is to use a supplied air mask.

Click to expand...

Ok, well I'm new here and this my first post. I was doing some research, and came upon this thread. Now, I like the fact that people are talking about safety, and thought I could help you guys out.

I'm a Federally trained Hazmat contractor, and first responder. I deal with chemicals everyday, and have the equipment and PPE to do so. Level A - SCBA - CFR 29 1910.120 ect.

The question that needs to be answered is, "Is there a cartridge filter that can be used for filtering out isocyanates" YES.

Cartridges for organic vapors are used when paint spraying (including paints containing isocyanates) [b:acb8fd5849]when a cartridge change out schedule is in place.[/b:acb8fd5849] This keeps you within the PEL (Permissible Exposure Limits), All Existing PELs are contained in 29 CFR 1910.1000, the air contaminants standard. They are listed in tables Z-1 and Z-2 of 29 CFR 1910.1000

These type of cartridges also can be used for pesticide vapors (insecticides, herbicides, fungicides), and of course, organic vapors(Fuels, Chloroform, Acetates, ect). Also be sure to use particulate filter if you are spraying the material.

I hope this will help some people in the future. But If ever in doubt, go the safest route.

Most if not all hobbiests do not have paint booths or any way to determine the concentration of anything in their painting area. Therefore there is no practical way to safely used a charcoal mask with isos. You can use the one-shot throw aways, and use a new one each time you paint, PROVIDED it fits perfecly which it won't. The rules you refer to were written for professional painters and are impossible for a hobbiest to use. I still believe that there are NO masks labled for isos, the pros get around that by strictly adhering to a schedule in a well ventilated paint booth.