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Safety Tips for Painting a Car at Home
Painting a car can be dangerous and hazardous to your health if you’re not careful. It is very important to follow the proper procedures to ensure you, the room and your car are all safe. Painting cars can be done by anyone, and many individuals choose to paint their own car. Painting a car at home is a great way to save money, but being safe should be your top priority.
- Ventilation: The solutions, paints and chemicals used for painting a car will provide plenty of fumes. Depending on the type of paint, some can produce very toxic fumes. You can use your own painting booth if it’s available, and make sure the filters and ventilation are good. If you’re painting in your garage, make sure there is a place for the air to exit, such as an open window or door and some sort of device for air circulation. A portable fan can work well.
- Respiratory Protection: Besides good ventilation, you may need to have additional breathing protection. This may be as little as a face mask, though to be on the safe side it is recommended that you use a respirator. Sanding can kick up dust and some paint is extremely toxic and can only be applied if the painter is wearing a respirator.
- Gloves: If you are stripping the car first or using any paint, reducer or sealer that can irritate the skin, then you want to wear gloves. Gloves are also handy if you want to make sure you don’t get any paint on your hands. Make sure you wear the correct gloves for the chemicals you’re using, as some gloves will not be a barrier against specific chemicals.
- Eye Protection: Eye protection is important, as a bit of rust could hit your eye and cause damage. Paint and fumes can irritate the eyes. If your eyes are not irritated by fumes, then safety glasses are fine. If they are sensitive, you will want to use safety goggles because these will create an air seal around the eyes. Just a small splash into your eye can damage your eyes permanently.
- Cleanliness: Keep the area where you’re painting your car as clean as possible, as this will minimize any accidents. Don’t have items lying on the floor where you can easily trip on them. Cleanliness will make it much easier to clean up and not have to worry about hurting yourself or spilling anything. You also want to make sure that you keep any pets or children away from the painting area.
- Paint Sprayer: Make sure you know how to use the paint gun. Ensure that you use the recommended pressure for the paint you’re using. The viscosity and thickness of the paint is also important, as you can block the paint sprayer. Practice once or twice before using to make sure you’re comfortable with it. Make sure you’ve read the directions carefully before using the paint sprayer.
