Spraying Awlgrip paint

[cc lancer]

Re: Spraying Awlgrip paint

With all this talk of Isocyanate's, when I went to the shop today I started reading labels. Bondo we should be dead.<br />Dupont<br />Kirker<br />Pittsburg<br />Martin Senior<br />Every one of the hardeners lists Isocyanate, so Awlgrip must not be a rattle snake, it appears not be any more dangerous than the other 2 part paints.<br />This evening I spent a hour reading about Awlgrips products, comparing chemicals, and the MSDS sheet. It is nothing but a Urethane, like I have been shooting for well over 10 years.<br />Don't get me wrong here, all of these coatings are dangerous, but to say that Awlgrip is more dangerous than Imron or the other Urethanes is Bologna. Imron is the stinkiest stuff ever put in a can but it is a polyurethane. If there is bug within 500 feet it will come and check out the paint job.<br /><br />For more years than I can remember I have used a mask that blocks vapors, It has disposable cartridges, and I use barrier cream to seal the mast to my face. A paint suit is a must. I also use rubber gloves, the solvent removes any oil on the fingers or skin and the raw skin will absorb the chemicals. A full face shield should be worn, the vapors and paint can enter the body through the eyes.cotton balls in the ears.<br />I also have a window fan on low pointed at me to keep any over spray from coming back on my head. When using any two part paint use a lot of common sense, protect your lungs, paint outdoors, and have the wind at your back, or make some wind.

 

[ondarvr]

Re: Spraying Awlgrip paint

cc lancer<br /><br />You are correct, all paints have many harmfull chemicals in them, Awlgrip is just one of many. Awlgrip is just a product that everyone in the marine industry knows and hears about.<br />Some people have no reaction to these chemicals even after many years, others have problems from day one. It took 15 years for me to notice any health problems from exposure to paints, at the same time I was gel coating and running a chopper gun every day. In the 60s, when I started working with these products respirators were not that common, most fiberglass shops didn't even have them. It was ten years before I started wearing one.

 

[lenny2113]

Re: Spraying Awlgrip paint

I sprayed primer yesterday. <br />Lightly dusted on the first coat, waited for 5-7 minutes and sprayed a thicker coat. <br />This Awlgrip is a very forgiving paint.<br />No runs, no "orange peel", nice even looking coat.<br />Now, I should just lightly sand primer with 320 wet sandpaper. I think that if the topcoat is as forgiving as primer, very little final sanding will be needed. <br /><br />Fumes are really nasty. I started mixing primer without wearing mask. It has a very strong smell. As I was ready to spray, I was wearing "tyvec" coverall suit, rubberized chemical gloves and a military gas mask. <br /><br />I will post on final progress. <br />Thank you all for sharing your opinions !<br />Happy Boating,<br />Lenny

 

[cc lancer]

Re: Spraying Awlgrip paint

ondarvr <br /><br />In the 70's when I learned to spray, we didn't have all the warning about health we have now.<br />Look at the warning label that is now on a barrel of poly resin. Running a chopper gun, with all the stuff in the air, I know you are concerned about your lungs.<br />I now have 3 friends carrying around the green bottles, one who has never sprayed paint, but has used 100's of cans of brake cleaner, carb cleaners, and washed his hands in Varsol over the past 20 plus years. People take to many chances with chemicals, and live to regret it.

 

[lenny2113]

Re: Spraying Awlgrip paint

Thank you all for your helpful hints. <br />I am done with this project and have the boat in the water <br />Awlgrip topcoat matched exactly to my paint. <br /><br />I sprayed 3 coats of topcoat, allowing each coat to dry for 15-20 minutes. I painted in the evening with temperature in the low 60's dropping to as low as 53 over night. I thought that it would not cure properly and I would have to redo it. Fortunately, on Saturday morning paint was a solid as a rock. I had a few small drips on the edge, but I was able to get it off with 400 grid wet sanding. I continued with 1000 wet paper, finalized with 1500 wet juist lightly. The paint came to beautiful shine without even any compound. I used medium compound and polish machine. It came out beautiful. <br />As I started waxing it, the guy who does fiberglass repairs on the marina came by to look at the paint job I did. He was amazed that it turned out that great. He suggested that Awlgrip should not be waxed, as wax closes pores of paint... <br /><br />Conclusion: <br />Amazing quality paint. Paint is expensive, but outperforms some other paints I have used by far. I am glad I did this. <br />If you do not use good protective mask you will get a big headache from fumes. Too bad there was noone to take a picture of me wearing a white protection coverall suit, elbow length chemical rubber gloves, military full face gas mask...<br />As I was ready to paint all dressed up, a few people walked into the marina. as one of them saw me walking out from behind of my boat, he asked the other one: "I wonder what happened here". <br />With a puzzled look on their faces they quickly walked by.<br />This paint could be smelled 100ft away. It is nasty. My car still smells like this paint every morning, and I made sure that all containers were closed when I put the stuff back to the car. <br /><br />If someone is debating on what paint to use, I say Awlgrip !!! You will not regret. It is a great product. <br /><br />I do not work for "Awlgrip", nor do I profit in any way, shape or form by giving this opinion to others. <br /><br />Thank you all !!! Happy Boating Season

 

[cc lancer]

Re: Spraying Awlgrip paint

He suggested that Awlgrip should not be waxed, as wax closes pores of paint... <br />---------------------------------------------<br />You should wait at least a month before waxing new urethane paint.