Spraying 2k paint and side effects

[duffman]

So I was spraying few bits I got blasted and was wearing a full face respirator with carbon filters while spraying. I was spraying outdoors and was a slight breeze. Which thought was grand. In fairness I was still getting a slight smell of the paint maybe not a great seal or filters weren't doing their job.

I felt a bit of wheezing the next day which has now left but I've had a bad headache now for two days since. I think I breathed in some of the fumes when it was mixed. Anyone else had similar issues with using isocyanate paints?

What mask is good for spraying 2k and epoxy primer?

I've read an air fed mask is the only solution to ensure no exposure to chemicals, so might look down that route.

 

[carbon]

See this thread about 2k Safety

 

[ajlelectronics]

What mask is good for spraying 2k and epoxy primer?

Two different subjects, epoxy primers are non isocyanates and so can be used with conventional PPE if no access to full air fed. 2K merely means Zwei Komponent and tells you nothing about the isocyanate content, so you need to read the TDS for the products you want to use. I use an Iwata 2020 helmet.

Apart from that, see Carbon's reply. ^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^

 

[brightspark]

must be just unlucky and sensitive to it

 

[ian f]

i've painted several cars and bikes using a "gerson 2k mask" i used a new mask each time as there was a long gap between. not saying you should but i value my life a lot less than you

 

[caprinut]

I'm only using 2k epoxy in unseen areas so I painted it on no mask no problem, I imagen it's to do with it being an air born aerosol.

 

[Morrisman]

I was told to wear the mask even when mixing the paint, and if you can even smell the paint then the mask is no good.

I’ve only used the epoxy stuff a couple of times myself. I had a 3M mask of some model I can’t remember.

 

[duffman]

My filters were old I was using. I could smell the paint but continued anyway. They clearly weren't trapping the vapour too well. I also made the mistake of taking off my mask after a minute of spraying the vapour was still in the area, even though it was outside.

Going to buy a new mask with good filters. Epoxy primer doesn't contain isocyanate, still bad stuff to be going no mask.

3M actually state none of their respirators should be worn for isocyanate paints. Airfed systems only. But I think if it's outdoor a good mask should be fine only for short term usage.

 

[Keith 66]

It should be noted that 2 pack epoxies are not safe. They might not have isocyanates but they often contain other chemicals such as phenols & amines that can be quite nasty.
Epoxy sensitisation is well known in the boatbuilding trade & can occur after many years of getting away with it or quickly with short exposure. Its the luck of the draw.
I got sensitised to epoxy after many years by getting a few drops of West epoxy hardener on a webbing watch strap. An hour after it got on there it started to burn. I took the watch off & washed the strap with acetone & dried it out, put it back on & within minutes the pain came back & turned into a large red blister. I threw the strap away & the burn simply refused to heal for about a month. After it healed up If i went near epoxy without gloves the burn site would flare up & go red. This lasted for over two years. I have heard of similar cases.
Sanding uncured or partially cured epoxy is said to be a factor in may cases.