Respirator for Epoxy or Etching?

[cravej]

I'm planning on etching and applying epoxy to my basement floor, but I'm concerned about ventilation. My basement only has four small windows for ventilation (see pics below). I have Behr Concrete & Masonry Cleaner/Etcher No. 991-N and Rustoleum EpoxyShield Professional. The instructions say to use gloves and eye protection, but don't say anything about a respirator.

I was thinking about putting a couple fans in the windows blowing air out, so the fumes don't get pushed into the rest of the house. Is that a good idea? If I need a respirator, what kind should it be?

Thanks,
-cravej

 

[Stuey]

If you're concerned, you can always pick up a P100 respirator for relatively cheap. 3M's 6000 series facemasks are pretty decent paired with an adapter and their pink P100 filters.

HD and Lowes carry an AO Safety mask that I was told is comfortable and easy to use.

$25-$35 for peace of mind.

AO Safety mask
3M 6000 series mask
P100 filter for 6000 series mask

I've ordered my 3M respiratory gear from Airgas in the past, but they can be found almost everywhere.

To fit that particular P100 filter to a 6000 series mask, you'll need a pair of cheap adapters. I can dig up the part #s later if you want.

 

[Jaguar Fan]

Yes, get a respirator. I did a 2 car garage with the doors open and didn't have the respirator -- and it was a mistake.

Do you have a floor drain? After etching my garage floor, I needed to powerwash extensively to get rid of all residue. The floor would start to dry, and I'd see I needed to powerwash again and again.

Because you don't have a lot of venting, You'll probably need to wait quite a while (maybe a couple weeks or more) after your final rinse to ensure everything is very dry before application of the epoxy (unless the manufacturer says they can tolerate some dampness).

You're planning on using this stuff, right?

http://www.rustoleum.com/CBGProduct.asp?pid=14


Note that this is a solvent based product. It will produce lots of fumes... you'll definitely need that respirator.

My guess is the fumes will get in the house for a day or so regardless of what you do. The solvent fumes are pretty strong. Don't be surprised if your spouse isn't too happy with you for a day or so.

If it were me, I wouldn't use a solvent based product in the basement just because of the fumes issue (I've had my full of fumes inside the house just from doing the attached garage!). I would probably spend the extra $ and get 100% solids epoxy (no solvent, not water based) -- not so much for its extra durability in a basement scenario, but rather to avoid the fumes from the solvent.

But either way: get the respirator.

 

[cravej]

Do you have a floor drain?

There is a sump pump in one corner.

What type of epoxy are you planning to use? And how much abuse do you imagine the floor will get once it is all done?

I'm using Rustoleum EpoxyShield Professional. This room will be a woodworking shop, but the floor won't get much abuse. I just want it to look nicer and be easier to sweep up the mess of wood chips that I plan on making.

 

[Jaguar Fan]

There is a sump pump in one corner.


I'm using Rustoleum EpoxyShield Professional. This room will be a woodworking shop, but the floor won't get much abuse. I just want it to look nicer and be easier to sweep up the mess of wood chips that I plan on making.

I updated my reply... we crossed in cyberspace -- you might want to read up on solvent epoxy fumes so you're prepared.

 

[Vicious_Cycle]

I used a 3M mask that I bought at Lowe's for $29 when I etched and when I epoxied. It worked great.

It worked so well, in fact, that both times (etch and epoxy), I thought to myself, "Hell, I don't need this mask." I took it off long enough to inhale ONCE, and I put the mask right back on!

You need one.

 

[g935cab]

get a good mask , and make sure there no sources of ignition

 

[Matti]

To do it by the book you should read the MSDS sheets and make sure the respirator is designed to filter the chemicals as listed. The respirators do not protect you against all chemicals. Isocyanates are one compound that often requires special protection. I hope that none of the floor epoxies have this.

 

[cravej]

Thanks for all the info and the quick responses. I'm going to pick up a couple respirators before I start.

 

[XR80David]

Why don't you just use the Water based regular Rustoleum residential epoxy? This isn't as harmful as the professional series. In fact, I don't think you need a respirator at all for the water-based.

Depending on what you're going to be doing in the basement is how it varies between the two.

 

[menz300]

If its not going to be used to much and more decorative I agree with XR and a water based epoxy would work. In fact did half a basement floor today and they went with water based as they have a budget and its a "green" building product which people are into now. Also if you do solvent based make sure to turn off all pilot lights and such so house don't go BOOM..............I won't even give people solvent epoxy option water base or 100 percent solids.....

 

[nwrob]

DO NOT get a P100 filter. You will need at a minimum, a 1/2 face respirator and a brand specific Organic Vapor filter/cartridge. Many manufacturers allow you to use a P100 in addition to an OV but a P100 (HEPA) will do nothing to protect you against the chemical vapors, just dusts and particulates.

 

[Stuey]

DO NOT get a P100 filter. You will need at a minimum, a 1/2 face respirator and a brand specific Organic Vapor filter/cartridge. Many manufacturers allow you to use a P100 in addition to an OV but a P100 (HEPA) will do nothing to protect you against the chemical vapors, just dusts and particulates.

You can use P100 filters as a pre-filter to a organic vapor cartridge.

3M's standard half masks normally come with N95 prefilters. There's nothing wrong with replacing those with P100s.

You make a good point though.

 

[akdiesel]

I would use the respirator along with some sort of ventilation system.
You can rent a large fan or one of those floor drying fans connected to some trunk hose to get the fumes outside.
Chances are if it is bad enough to have to use a respirator your clothing, carpet, furniture will get smell in them.

 

[XR80David]

Dude just forget about using the professional Rustoleum. If it is just for woodworking then the water-based will do you just fine. Once you open that can of Rustoleum Pro you'll regret it.

 

[thundercow]

Wash your face and hands after you finish coating, or just take a shower. I use high-end commercial epoxy and after I use it sometimes I get this really weird irritation and itching on my upper eyelids about 10 hours after--happens like clockwork every time. Definitely try to keep clean, and use surgical gloves too...that stuff can get sticky...

 

[heyguy]

Great question. I would hightly recommend using a 3M respirator. Specifically the 3M spray paint respirator. Although you technically don't need one, you're way better off for it. They're cheap too.

Avoid the AO mask you can get at HD. AO is discountinuing all their respirators within the next month or two so you won't be able to find replacement cartridges after that.