Iso's...I accidentally took a whiff...

[Nessal]

So today when I was primering my door and hoods(they came out all f'ed up BTW)...I guess there wasn't enough ventilation going on in my garage so a CLOUD of this nerve gas(that's what I would call it) built up. It felt like I was standing in fog. Anyways, so I was ready to give up for the day so I was about to head back into the house and when I disconnect my air hose, I could IMMEDIATELY smell the primer. I took a lung full of this crap and I paniced. How bad is it really? I felt my lungs getting a little heavy after about an hour but now it's ok. So how much did I totally screw myself over? Also after I spray the panels and that deadly cloud of overspray is gone, is it ok to check out the panels say 30 minutes after I sprayed it without an air respirator? The smell is STILL really strong after an hour of spraying this stuff. Thanks guys. BTW, I'll post up some pics of the doors and hood tomorrow...but lets just say it's RUN HELL. Also when I was cleaning out the gun, I forgot to put gloves on, so the combination of the left over primer and the lacquer thinner was BURNING up my hand LOL. It was stinging after an hour still but now it's back to normal. It's just dried as hell now but it's normal. This was my first time spraying btw and it totally gave me a new level of appreciation for people that do this stuff as a living.

So I guess my questions are...

1. Did I totally screw myself from taking in a lung full of this crap?
2. Can I assess my work after about 30 minutes when the cloud of overspray is gone without a air respirator even though it still smells REALLY bad?
3. Why was lacquer thinner eating up my Nitrile gloves?

[Len]

1. Did I totally screw myself from taking in a lung full of this crap?
My guess would be that you didn't do any permanent damage to your health if you don't have any lasting effects. Before I disconnect my breathing hose I usually take a deep breath, unplug the hose then exit the room. If you have overspray hanging in the air you don't want to be inhaling it.

2. Can I assess my work after about 30 minutes when the cloud of overspray is gone without a air respirator even though it still smells REALLY bad?
Most of the harmful isos are in the air while spraying but the vehicle will still give off harmful gasses until it's cured. I would wait about 16 to 24 hours at 70 degrees F then vent the room before you go in without a mask.

3. Why was lacquer thinner eating up my Nitrile gloves?
I'm not a big fan of Nitrile because it can still decompose in thinner and it doesn't stretch as well as latex. While latex can decompose faster you can get a lot of use out of the thicker latex and also get better protection because Nitril can allow more solvent to reach your skin. Vinyl is the best glove for thinner but they can be more expensive and more cumbersome. Try the Thickster Gloves by Sharpe, that's about all we use these days.


http://autobodystore.net/Merchant2/graphics/00000001/SAS6602.jpg
Thickster Gloves Link (http://autobodystore.net/Merchant2/merchant.mvc?Screen=PROD&Product_Code=SASTG&Category_Code=3OP)

[Dave H]

From your post above, it appears that you were priming with epoxy, which shouldn't have any isos in it. Not that you shouldn't still be careful about breathing the fumes, but at least there were no isos.

Dave

[Carrameow]

Great! thanks for the confidence! I will be shooting today..and I was reading some posts to get my "head set" and I saw this one...Luckily i disassembled my car at 4 am and I have it covered with a Tarp; I have 4 doors, a hood, and a trunk and 2 fenders and I guess I am only going to shoot 30 minutes a shot and then run out and cut the grass and climb a ladder or something so noone will uspect me...

[Lost in NJ]

According to the technical documentation I have read the Iso's do not smell.

You are smelling all the paint carriers. You know, all the other chemicals that are on the label and have names you can not pronounce.

Dont worry, you will probably live.

[go2fast]

I was talking to my local PPG supplier about ISOs the other day. He told me that lots of the local shops spray the stuff (2K primer) in the open shop with no protection at all. So it seems unlikely a couple minutes of it is going to cause you long term problems.

Not that I'm saying it's OK to breathe it, as it's certainly not.

[KyleM]

I have used thinners for a long time and Ive never worn gloves.
Thinner evaps within a min of contact with your hand....it shouldnt burn, nor should the primer.

If you guys are looking for gloves that are pretty tough, visit your wifes beauty salon. They have very strong gloves for dealing with hair chemicals.
I have found them to be the strongest.

Im not sure if you guys have Wurth in the states....they make automobile and wood working equipment and products. They also carry a decent line of gloves (and some pretty neat tools)

[Serge]

I guess you will need to relax a little for this hobby to be enjoyable. If you don't loose this fright of the chemicals, it's difficult to enjoy your time in the garage. Might as well send the work to guys like me and do away with the stress...My friend Rollie has spent all his life as a body man, and he still does that every day....he is 68...and ski all winter and is very active and not short of breath or anything...he is reasonably careful with his health in the garage...you will still find him shooting small stuff in the booth without a mask....

You must protect yourself properly, from your description I get that you have a supplied air respirator so you are good. I find cartridge masks are easier to use than the supplied air, they are cheep so you could have one too. I have both and use mostly the cartridges... Get a good fan, good gloves (I use thicksters too...), relax and enjoy your hoby...

PS
Isocyanates are sensitizers, they make you allergic to them over time. Unless you are allergic to them right away (a small number of people are without ever beeing exposed) you should be allright as if you do this as a hobby you won't be exposed to them every day. This does not mean that one can be careless with them...

[Carrameow]

I went the whole nine yards in equipment, I bought a really light Milwaukee Grinder so I could "feather touch" my weld grinding, a Makita sander, a Netorik, a decent beginner gun, 2 compressors, 2 barrel fans, upgraded my welder, I think I got a lot of other stuff too, I had to sell a car to pay for all of it.
I wouldn't think 10 minutes about taking apart an engine or a transmission, but to me I have a lot of respect for Body Men because they all seem to have an artistic touch and they seem to enjoy their work.

The real reason I just havent pulled the trigger blindly is, well I guess I'm Afraid.
I am afraid and scared I will do a bad job, and the closer I get to being ready, the more things seem to pop up, just little nagging details. Actually the neighbors arent home during the day and the kids are in school and they never really bother me.