CA finish versus Lacquer Spray

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yorkie

yorkie

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I've been using lacquer spray for a while now and was intrigued to try a CA finish.

Gotta say, thought I was going to choke on the fumes though.

Apparently CA glue is quite nasty and toxic stuff. How do you guys stand using it?
 
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yorkie said:
I've been using lacquer spray for a while now and was intrigued to try a CA finish.

Gotta say, thought I was going to choke on the fumes though.

Apparently CA glue is quite nasty and toxic stuff. How do you guys stand using it?
Click to expand...

As Gary said, big dust collector and a I use a fan blowing from behind blowing the fumes away from me.

Biggest problem I have with CA is gluing the tubes in... the fumes burn my eyes a little...
 
Biggest problem I have is gluing my fingers together. Then the other day my dad topped me and glued his lips. Made for a quiet afternoon :rolleyes:. I kinda like the fumes, reminds me of grandma's trailer for some reason.
 
Listen to Gary... and others...

... when they offer suggestions to deal with the fumes.

I used the CA without any problems for about 6 months, then one afternoon I reacted to it; throat, chest, and sinuses were all affected as I coughed, sneezed, and wheezed for the next three days. Problem was I didn't put the reaction, and the CA, together until after a few more bouts.

I finally read up on the stuff and found that you can go for months, years, or probably forever without developing a sensitivity to the stuff, but IF you do, you have it for life; apparently it isn't something that can be treated. Now when I use CA for anything, it has to be with gloves, and a respirator equipped with a filter rated for organic vapours. It may be that you would never develop a sensitivity to the stuff, but you don't know until you do.

Also, I have to leave the respirator on until I leave the shop; residual fumes in the room, after doing a CA finish, are still strong enough to cause a reaction. I figured out that the gloves are necessary after I got some CA on my fingers while gluing in some tubes, and you guessed it; three days of sneezing and wheezing. I'm guessing that the offending part can be absorbed through the skin as well as being inhaled.

Anyway, as long as I take these precautions I have no problems, so I'm still OK to work with the CA finishes. For me it's just another part of the safety equipment like glasses and shields. Although, I'm sure the neighbours sometimes wonder what I'm up to when they see me walking through the yard like I'm on my to a Hazmat incident! A least no one has phoned in a complaint of a clandestine drug lab.



PS. Needless to say, but I will anyway, I don't follow the finishing method where the suggestion is you work the CA until you can smell the offending odour.
 
yorkie said:
I've been using lacquer spray for a while now and was intrigued to try a CA finish.

Apparently CA glue is quite nasty and toxic stuff. How do you guys stand using it?
Click to expand...


???? Lacquer fumes don't bother you? That stuff can rot your brain..
 
I, like Spats139, went along for awhile with no reaction to CA. When it hit me, it hit hard!!!! Every joint in my body reacted and I could barely move for days. Thank goodness I figured out what was causing it and I use a giant fan blowing the fumes away from me outside now when using CA.
 
Dust collecter and a nose/mouth respirator.

I wasnt worried about it for a while then reading all the stories about developing a reaction I now wear the respirator until i have finished sanding. I bought a medium and large set up to try them out to see what fit better. I know the medium wouldnt fit but now I have a spare for the wife and kid when they come in.
I shut the DC off when the finish is ready for sanding. I wet sand.

I was only worried about the exotic wood dust that we all have around. Its the glue that I worry about most now.
 
Like Dale (Spatts) and Becca, I went 2 years and then it hit me hard. It took me 18 months to finally master CA to the point that I could get a great finish 9 out of 10 times. Then 2 months later . . .

Now I use a DC, respirator, fan, and usually take two Claritins before turning. I keep a damp towel close by to wipe dust off of my hands and arms.

I had double vision once and that is when I installed the DC. Sinus drainage and sneezing start about 6 - 7 hours after I do a pen without using the DC and mask. Then headache and severe flu like symptoms for two or three days.
 
What's a dust collector?? I think much of the allergen issues stem from each individuals level of tolerance, I used Cyanide plating solutions for many years with no serious effects, and only had a dust mask and a bathroom size power vent over the plating area, I do use a respirator thouygh, but not for CA, just for sanding, but get me near Okra plants and I welt up like I'd been whipped with a bull whip, so far after 2 years, no allergies to woods, not even Cocobolo or any other Dahlbergias <sp>? I'm just lucky I guess or maybe I'm just weird, I kind of like the smell of Polyester Resin.
 
bitshird said:
What's a dust collector?? I think much of the allergen issues stem from each individuals level of tolerance, I used Cyanide plating solutions for many years with no serious effects, and only had a dust mask and a bathroom size power vent over the plating area, I do use a respirator thouygh, but not for CA, just for sanding,
. . . I kind of like the smell of Polyester Resin.
Click to expand...

I kinda like the smell of some PR too. :biggrin:

I have an allergy to both the fumes and the dust. Even minor residue of dust causes some problems for me, therefore a DC takes the majority of dust that makes it to the hands and sleeves that migrate to the face after the mask is removed.

I grew up on a farm and had a disdain for "city folks" as being weak. :rolleyes: When I was 28, and living in Ft. Worth, TX, working on a graduate degree, I had gone to the doctor about once every two to three weeks with repeated sore throats.
The doctor said: I know what your problem is - you have allergies."
I replied: "I don't have allergies, that is for city folks".
He laughed and replied: "You need to notice where you live now."

And I grew up around DDT, Pre-emerge, strong insecticides, strong defoliants and weed killers and worse! :eek:
 
Lee I know what you mean, we use 2-4D and pre emergent and ammonia nitrate and all sorts of neat stuff, but for some unknown reason this year I finally sensitized to poison Oak, it's never bothered me before but since I had that stupid tick fever if I get too close it nails me. I used to walk through it in shorts, but not any more. I don't know what's up with the Okra breaking me out either. I guess I'm getting old or something.
 
John -- re brass casings -- best is to clear powder coat -- that is to quote Don Ward "tough as woodpecker lips". If you cannot go there, the alternatives are to spray some clear lacquer or include as small amount of brasso with the pen.

I purchased nickle plated 308 cases from midway and that eliminates the tarnishing problem if you can live with the shiney silver color.
 
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