Home Distiller

I am painting a board in my dorm room and the fumes are enough to get anyone high and I don't know whether it's better to have my fan blowing out the window or turned the other way so the air is blowing in?

I've always wondered this, though it does sound like a dumb question....maybe it's already effecting me


RB

Paint shop spray booths have extractor fans for paint fumes, this would also work better for you, getting rid of the fumes.


OD

Just hold your breath.

Ok seriously automotive paint shop booths have extractor fan, but they don't have inlet fans. The reason for this is that even if your inlet has a filter you don't want a lot of air movement in your booth as the paint will go all over, and even if it's a very clean booth any dust will blow into your work.

So if your using a spray gun us the fan as a extractor, if your just using a brush or a roller for your walls it's not going to mater. What kind of paint are you using, what's the base? If it's lacquer based you might want to invest in a good mask.

Buy interior latex paint with low or zero volatile organic compounds (VOC). VOCs are gases that are gradually released into the air when paint dries. VOC levels are listed on paint cans sold at home improvement and painting stores. Manufacturers of low or zero VOC paints prominently mention this fact on their paint can labels. If you can delay painting until warmer months when you can open doors and windows this shouldl help. Like RD mentioned wear a respirator and stay out of the room while the wet paint dries.

You keep that Alembic in yer dorm room RB?

Thanks for the advice guys, I bought a cheap mask and have the window open with a fan blowing air in my room. It might have lacquer idk. It's a custom mix in spray cans. I'll get pics up when it's finished. And to Smokehouse: no I sold that but when I bought it I had it shipped to my college so it'd be harder to track my location. Though I didn't use it until I got back home


RB

You better buy a proper mask or respirator for the type of fumes you are creating. Thats not anything to go half-assed on. You will burn up all those brain cells that you are paying to educate... not to mention liver damage, lung issues...

junkyard dawg wrote:You better buy a proper mask or respirator for the type of fumes you are creating. Thats not anything to go half-assed on. You will burn up all those brain cells that you are paying to educate... not to mention liver damage, lung issues...

I'm glossing the board now so it's too late to buy a proper mask for this project but the next time I surely will invest in a real one. I can't be in my dorm room doing this. I walk in to spray and then get right out. I had no idea it would be that bad and I was really surprised. I think I'll have to find another room to sleep in tonight.

But seriously, I've learned a lesson the hard way.

RB

this may not be the healthy alternative, but pour in about an ounce of normal vanilla extract. You know the kind you make cookies with, it will drastically reduce the smells. Like I said, may not be the healthy way to go about it, but it will mask it so you can at least finish. I had done this awhile back and it actually worked, for the most part.

6fiddyv wrote:this may not be the healthy alternative, but pour in about an ounce of normal vanilla extract. You know the kind you make cookies with, it will drastically reduce the smells. Like I said, may not be the healthy way to go about it, but it will mask it so you can at least finish. I had done this awhile back and it actually worked, for the most part.

It's in a spray can, but I do have vanilla extract.

RB

I honestly don't think it wise to be playing with any type of paint fumes in a dorm room... You never know what kind of reactions others within the building may have to such fumes... That's why you almost never see maintenance crews painting dorms other than during breaks when the buildings are unoccupied... Some campuses would boot you out for less without any refund...

It's in a spray can, but I do have vanilla extract.

Bad idea.

I walk in to spray and then get right out.

Better idea.

I honestly don't think it wise to be playing with any type of paint fumes in a dorm room

Best idea.

rad14701 wrote:I honestly don't think it wise to be playing with any type of paint fumes in a dorm room... You never know what kind of reactions others within the building may have to such fumes... That's why you almost never see maintenance crews painting dorms other than during breaks when the buildings are unoccupied... Some campuses would boot you out for less without any refund...

I really hope nobody says anything, but it's the last week so I can't get booted. But I can smell it outside my door. It wasn't a smart idea to go ahead with the gloss... but it's almost finished so I'm not gonna stop.

RB

Rum Bum how many fingers am I holding up?

Smokehouse Shiner wrote:Rum Bum how many fingers am I holding up?

5

Way off dude, you better get outta there.

nice try but the quote doesn't lie

The fumes did get me high earlier though....

RB