Looking for some opinions...

Would it be considered safe to paint parts in a closed garage and then open the garage door afterwards to air it out?

It would be one part at a time, nothing bigger than a fender. HVLP gun. I do have a respirator, although not full face.

I’m thinking that if I would be in and out in just a few minutes, then after waiting a few minutes for any overspray to settle I opened the door to let out the fumes, it would be safe.

any opinions?

 

Well I guess no amount of paint is good for you but a good sealing mask and limited time should be no problem . I do most of my smaller paint jobs like this but I have in the past had the paint irritate my eyes so I also have a couple of cheap full face fresh air respirators that seem to work well . Outside temp is important when opening the doors but as soon as the paint is dust free it shouldn't be a problem .

 

Think about using a pop-up tent or canopy. I've done it both ways and the more air the better. And the respirator is a must.

 

Just wear a respirator with disposable cartridges. Do you have one? Without a respirator no its not safe at all!!

 

It depends on the paint type. If using single stage urethane then you really need air movement. That stuff can seriously damage your nervous system.

I use a pop up tent out side with clear plastic around it. I get plenty of air movement and it keeps most junk out of the paint. I have 2 of them so it ends up being a 10'x20' space.

 

I don't think what building you do it in makes much difference and the more air flow the more potential for debris . A good mask is a must and you can get fresh air ones for $ 100 or so which are well worth the money as there is 0 paint inhalation . I just did the majority of a full size truck for a guy in his garage in base clear and the only limitations were his air supply and lighting .

 

Consider putting a small electric fan in a window blowing outward. This will keep some of the air stuff venting outside your workspace.

 

EBEAR can you recommend a good fresh air mask/system?

 

I just ordered a couple of cheap ones off of ebay . They were both around $100 , one uses a rechargeable battery powered fan with a conventional style mask filter that is on a belt and the other has a 3 part filter system also on a belt that you hook your air line to and then has a short hose for your paint gun . I have used both and they both seem to work ok but the one hooked to the air hose can be turned up to flow more .

 

When younger my brothers and I painted many cars inside a garage. A little of how we painted inside a garage. We kept the garage door cracked open a little (about a foot or so) and opened the back walk through door and put a box fan in it to pull air and overspray out like ranger pat mentioned. If you don't use something to move air through the garage the overspray for just one panel can get overwhelming even with a mask, and worse settle into the paint. Since air will move into and through the garage you should wet down everything outside and also wet the garage floor some. The garage floor doesn't have to flooded with water because you might splash it into the fresh paint, maybe just mopped to keep any dust down. We would hose out the garage, but, it would be fairly dry when we painted. However you do this, BE CERTAIN to shut off any heaters, water heaters, etc. that might be in the garage. If your air compressor is also inside the garage, be careful because there are sparks inside the electric motor when it starts. Try to spray in the early morning. If you do this in the late afternoon and have lights on inside the garage, any bug or insect within a mile of your fresh paint will find it. Lastly, hope the neighbors don't complain because they will smell it and see the overspray billowing out from the exhaust fan.

 

I too am interested in this, Ill be looking into it today. I thought they were much higher in price, Which sounds foolish to say considering its something that's used to protect us.