A concern about detailing and products

[hdez]

I have my products inside of my apartment since I live in a complex where I don't have a garage. And i don't want to leave them outside because they will get covered in dust (too windy here)

This is how I have them stored:
View attachment 55062

I put in a container the Adam's Wheel cleaner because it is the only product (that I'm aware of) that leaks a lot of smell and I don't want harm my lungs or any other part of my respiratory system.

Is this safe? Also using WW/QD/GlassCleaner/SprayWax products while cleaning the car, it's very common to get in the nose a little of the fine mist or breathe it in the worst case, is that dangerous too?

I want to hear some opinion from people who have been doing this for years and get some great advice in how to take care of ourselves.

The only time I use a respirator like this:
View attachment 55063
Is when I'm using tire cleaners, APC (sometimes), degreasers or iron removers. Does that respirators works? Or do I need some of these:
View attachment 55065

PS. I'm a weekend warrior but I been feeling that my nose is more sensible to get irritated since I started with the detailing world.
TIA .

 

[dcjredline]

Not gonna hurt to have the protection. Do what ever you are comfortable with man!!!

 

[PaulMys]

Not gonna hurt to have the protection. Do what ever you are comfortable with man!!!

Agree. If that's what you feel safe doing, then by all means, do it.

I have been around exhaust fumes, chemical fumes, paint fumes, etc. my whole life. They have never really bothered me. But, as new info comes into light about the harm these fumes could have (or may have) caused, I sure wish I'd have used one of the respirators you included in your post much earlier in my career.

**Shut up, BrutalNoodle!**

 

[fightnews]

I have my products inside of my apartment since I live in a complex where I don't have a garage. And i don't want to leave them outside because they will get covered in dust (too windy here)

This is how I have them stored:
View attachment 55062

I put in a container the Adam's Wheel cleaner because it is the only product (that I'm aware of) that leaks a lot of smell and I don't want harm my lungs or any other part of my respiratory system.

Is this safe? Also using WW/QD/GlassCleaner/SprayWax products while cleaning the car, it's very common to get in the nose a little of the fine mist or breathe it in the worst case, is that dangerous too?

I want to hear some opinion from people who have been doing this for years and get some great advice in how to take care of ourselves.

The only time I use a respirator like this:
View attachment 55063
Is when I'm using tire cleaners, APC (sometimes), degreasers or iron removers. Does that respirators works? Or do I need some of these:
View attachment 55065

PS. I'm a weekend warrior but I been feeling that my nose is more sensible to get irritated since I started with the detailing world.
TIA .

ya i know its better to be on the safe side but thats way overkill to me. for one thing if you are using the wheel cleaner outside in full ventilation. also its common knowledge in construction that those masks don't do anything. the paper ones are not approved by osha, they dont work, even if they did they don't filter vapors. the grey masks work but you need to be fit tested to be sure. i hope you dont have any facial hair?

 

[GSKR]

I have my products inside of my apartment since I live in a complex where I don't have a garage. And i don't want to leave them outside because they will get covered in dust (too windy here)

This is how I have them stored:
View attachment 55062

I put in a container the Adam's Wheel cleaner because it is the only product (that I'm aware of) that leaks a lot of smell and I don't want harm my lungs or any other part of my respiratory system.

Is this safe? Also using WW/QD/GlassCleaner/SprayWax products while cleaning the car, it's very common to get in the nose a little of the fine mist or breathe it in the worst case, is that dangerous too?

I want to hear some opinion from people who have been doing this for years and get some great advice in how to take care of ourselves.

The only time I use a respirator like this:
View attachment 55063
Is when I'm using tire cleaners, APC (sometimes), degreasers or iron removers. Does that respirators works? Or do I need some of these:
View attachment 55065

PS. I'm a weekend warrior but I been feeling that my nose is more sensible to get irritated since I started with the detailing world.
TIA .

As long there is no acidic products like acidic wheel cleaners.

 

[GSKR]

Everyone is different .I've been doing this everyday for the past 25 years now and pretty much used everything out there as far as products.I'm not a glove or mask guy.But I can tell you as of this year I've cut down dramatically on using wheel acid.my wife has cancer so it's kinda open my eyes and beware of using harsh products like acid xylene reducers and lacquer thinners.

 

[GSKR]

Years ago my friend asked me if he could put his swift motorcycle in my garage till his divorce was settled.Swift freight started making motorcycles you probably seen there trucks on the highway as they are a large company.I had acidic wheel cleaners in my garage along with other stuff,one bottle did not have a cap on it and the acidic wheel cleaner was vaporizing in my garage and ruined his bike within 2 weeks.Every fin nut and bolt was oxidized.Sorry to say we are not friends anymore as he wanted me to help him during the week in the middle of the day to fix his bike.I could not do that as I had a very busy business and could not be at my house at 11 am to fix it.I told him to get the bike out of my garage and our friendship ended.

 

[Legumes]

Check out the material data safety sheet(msds) on each product to see what protection or precautions should be taken. Some bottles will list some of that information right on the label.

Besides those respirators, chemical resistant gloves are a good idea for use with most detailing products. Even the ones that aren't harsh can be skin irritants at the very least.

 

[TTQ B4U]

I wear nitrile gloves as the products tend to dry out my hands/nails. Ear plugs or headphones with music are a must for me as I think the buffer is too loud and too close at times to be safe. I also wear a basic dust filter if compounding and when removing product. No way breathing any of this junk in will be good for the human body.

 

[Hammer77]

Nothing wrong with PPE. Like others said do what makes you feel comfortable. I have a cousin, long time paint/body man, started in the 60's. They didn't have the knowledge like we do today. The only thing he ever had for a filter was a Winston hanging out of his mouth when he sprayed a car. He is about 70 years old now, out of the game since around 2001 because of health problems, heart, lungs, cancer you name it. He is lucky to still be alive!

 

[oneheadlite]

I put in a container the Adam's Wheel cleaner because it is the only product (that I'm aware of) that leaks a lot of smell and I don't want harm my lungs or any other part of my respiratory system.

I keep my Iron X in a ziplock bag to help keep the odor in check. From a recommendation in another thread, I've also started removing (and flushing with water) the sprayer and reinstalling the shipping cap the bottle came with as it's the best way to seal the bottle for storage.

Recently had an embarrassing mishap where I had the spray bottle just tied up in a plastic grocery bag in the locker room at my work, which I had put underneath a chair to keep out of the way. Someone knocked it over and it leaked, and the locker room smelled like something died in there. The smell seemed to come from everywhere, so I didn't think to check the Iron X bag. Fortunately everyone was just glad nothing had died in the wall like we were starting to worry...

At home I keep all of my non-gallon supplies in rubbermaid totes for ease of storage and an extra barrier in case anything leaks/is knocked over.

As others have mentioned, use what protective gear you feel comfortable with. I work on cars for a living, and constantly wear nitrile gloves to protect my hands. I know techs that have developed allergies to used oil from exposure. I also wish I would have been better from the beginning about using hearing protection, as I've had that lovely ringing in my ears for years and I'm (only?) 33.

 

[FUNX650]

I want to hear some opinion from people
who have been doing this for years and
get some great advice in how to take
care of ourselves.

View attachment 55063

View attachment 55065

PS.
I'm a weekend warrior but I been
feeling that my nose is more sensible
to get irritated since I started with
the detailing world.

IMHO:
It's always a "best practice" to wear the
PPE that's listed on the products (M)SDS
Sheets...before you start hacking things
out of your lungs that look like a Science
experiment gone bad...



Bob

 

[Bill1234]

I have 3m splash protection goggles as Im not taking any changes with wheel brightener. I also use rubber gauntlet type re-useable gloves-very helpful. Wheel brightener has HFL which is very strong and is harsh on skin. The two have come in handy when cleaning trashed wheels

 

[fightnews]

Years ago my friend asked me if he could put his swift motorcycle in my garage till his divorce was settled.Swift freight started making motorcycles you probably seen there trucks on the highway as they are a large company.I had acidic wheel cleaners in my garage along with other stuff,one bottle did not have a cap on it and the acidic wheel cleaner was vaporizing in my garage and ruined his bike within 2 weeks.Every fin nut and bolt was oxidized.Sorry to say we are not friends anymore as he wanted me to help him during the week in the middle of the day to fix his bike.I could not do that as I had a very busy business and could not be at my house at 11 am to fix it.I told him to get the bike out of my garage and our friendship ended.

thats on himyou did him a favor,how the hell were u supposed to know that would happen? good riddance i say

 

[fightnews]

i wear rubber gloves when the products say you should. ive had my very sizable collection of detailing products in my bedroom for the last week cuz ive been organizing them i havent noticed any smell though, i think the bottles they come in seal them as long as they are upright

 

[BrutalNoodle]

Safety habits are good habits.

If you feel the need for more protection, do it.

A very close friend of mine was a roofer. He had to give up the trade because it took a toll on him. Never wore a mask. Not because he didn't want to, but he felt it was awkward to have one on while his coworkers weren't wearing theirs. That's just silly. Your health is yours alone. Do what you must to stay safe. Screw what others think.

**Shut up, BrutalNoodle!**

:laughing: Totally wasn't gonna to say anything! .......

 

[ducksfan]

Safety habits are good habits.

If you feel the need for more protection, do it.

A very close friend of mine was a roofer. He had to give up the trade because it took a toll on him. Never wore a mask. Not because he didn't want to, but he felt it was awkward to have one on while his coworkers weren't wearing theirs. That's just silly. Your health is yours alone. Do what you must to stay safe. Screw what others think.





:laughing: Totally wasn't gonna to say anything! .......

When I first read this I thought, 'Why does a roofer need a mask/respirator?'. Then it came to me...hot mop guy?

 

[BrutalNoodle]

When I first read this I thought, 'Why does a roofer need a mask/respirator?'. Then it came to me...hot mop guy?

He mostly dealt with apartments, so it was that all day long. Good money, but lots of exposure to all sorts of toxic materials.

Getting back on detailing - First time I've accidentally inhaled apc vapor was enough for me to drive to HD and grabbed some masks. I don't know how some could take it year in year out. Nasty stuff.

 

[fightnews]

Safety habits are good habits.

If you feel the need for more protection, do it.

A very close friend of mine was a roofer. He had to give up the trade because it took a toll on him. Never wore a mask. Not because he didn't want to, but he felt it was awkward to have one on while his coworkers weren't wearing theirs. That's just silly. Your health is yours alone. Do what you must to stay safe. Screw what others think.





:laughing: Totally wasn't gonna to say anything! .......

in his defense its not easy wearing a mask on a roof thats likely over a hundred degrees on any givin summer day. and if he wore only a paper one it wouldnt have helped anyway


edit: those masks only give you a piece of mind they dont block vapors or anything really. especially if you have facial hair. im only bringing this up becuase we have to sit with an osha guy a couple times a year at work to go over this stuff

 

[2black1s]

Nothing wrong with PPE. Like others said do what makes you feel comfortable. I have a cousin, long time paint/body man, started in the 60's. They didn't have the knowledge like we do today. The only thing he ever had for a filter was a Winston hanging out of his mouth when he sprayed a car. He is about 70 years old now, out of the game since around 2001 because of health problems, heart, lungs, cancer you name it. He is lucky to still be alive!

I could be your cousin LOL. Right down to the Winston. In fact I still smoke Winston's although the Ultra Light version.

I remember one time when I was about 16 years old painting my friend's '64 Chevy in my dad's garage... Completely closed, zero ventilation, spraying 6 coats of black acrylic lacquer with a group of friends (3 or 4 of us) all getting wasted on paint fumes.

I'm 63 now and while I'd never do anything like that today, it kinda shows how attitudes regarding safety have changed over the years. Safety is a much higher priority today. In the 1960's and 1970's when I was learning my way it was just simply not that big of a deal. You younger guys and girls have a definite head start regarding safety.

That said, the detailing aspects (cleaning, polishing, waxing, etc.) encountered in the body shop business are probably among the least toxic/hazardous of all the operations performed, and I still see them as such. Right or wrong, I'm pretty much set in my ways and I don't see "detailing" as a hazardous endeavor nor do I see the necessity of a whole slew of PPE to "wax my car".

Ultimately though, it's a choice everyone can make for themselves. Like others have said, use whatever PPE makes you feel comfortable.