Better dust masks

[Tim Wescott]

I'm using CA a lot in my current build.  I don't react well to the stuff; I'd do a lot better if I had a dust-maskish thing that would actually seal to my face (as opposed to the usual hardware-store dust mask, which just makes me fog up the inside of my eyeglasses).  While I'm busy dreaming, cheap and lightweight would be nice, too.

Any suggestions (for dust masks, not "don't use that glue")?

[FLOYD CARTER]

I'm not bothered by CA, or spray painting (outdoors, of course)

A simple remedy for CA fumes would be a small desk fan.  Have it blow across your workbench, and that should do it!

Floyd

[John Cralley]

Well Tim,

If you want to pay the extra dough, the Foam Safe CA does not cause the reaction I get from regular CA. It claims to be non-allergenic and it is slower to setup so I have a bit of time to re-position parts. Worth the extra price to me. 

[GEOFFREY]

Tim i had the same problem.. cured it with a respirator type i got at Tacoma screw on Columbia blvd. can do a whole set of ribs  with no problems.it has replacement filters witch i change , also use it when i am spray painting

[Jim Fruit]

Tim:

I think Floyd has the best idea. A simple fan might keep the fumes away from you. I think the thing that irritates us with the use of CA is that it fires off when it comes in contact with the moisture in our eyes or the mucous membranes in our nose. So just blowing the fumes in the other direction just might help.

This discussion about fumes equipment reminds me of the time when I repainted my '70 Chevy pick up. It had been forever since I did any car painting, so I had to buy everything. I preferred lacquer and that was very hard to get. I told the paint supply store to give me a "good face mask" and while we are at it, "give me some spare mask filters also". I had applied all of the color coat and flames when I thought that it might be a good idea to change the filters with the spares that I had before I applied the clear coat. I opened the canisters only to find that there were no filters in the mask originally. I had just applied about 70% of the truck with some of the most heinous material known to man (well, paint-wise anyway) with no protection at all. I have never said that I am the smartest person in the world.

Jim Fruit

[Randy Cuberly]

I'm using CA a lot in my current build.  I don't react well to the stuff; I'd do a lot better if I had a dust-maskish thing that would actually seal to my face (as opposed to the usual hardware-store dust mask, which just makes me fog up the inside of my eyeglasses).  While I'm busy dreaming, cheap and lightweight would be nice, too.

Any suggestions (for dust masks, not "don't use that glue")?

Hi Tim,
I've had the same problem with CA in the past and the suggestions here are basically good ones.  The irritant from the CA is mostly strong acetic acid fumes and a dust mask of any kind wont stop them.  The best thing is a respirator (auto painting type) and very good ventilation.  If your sensitivity is very high then the respirator is a must but it won't protect your eyes.  Good ventilation and avoiding having your head close to the work is the only out for that.
The oderless stuff will help but I find it's less effective (less strength), and has a shorter shelf life (at least here in AZ heat!)
CA has caused serious respiratory problems is some folks.  My brother had to stop using it completely because of severe flu like symptoms.

Randy Cuberly

[ash]

A damp medical mask is possibly not a bad option if a proper activated carbon respirator is too serious for the job.

Ventilation is the most important thing, though.

Eye protection is a good idea with CA. I've had a tiny drop of CA in the eye after the most unlikely splash/squirt scenario and wouldn't recommend the experience to anyone.

[Tim Wescott]

The irritant from the CA is mostly strong acetic acid fumes and a dust mask of any kind wont stop them.

Inneresting -- Wikipedia says it's the vaporized CA monomers that polymerize when they hit water: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cyanoacrylate#Toxicity.

[Randy Cuberly]

Inneresting -- Wikipedia says it's the vaporized CA monomers that polymerize when they hit water: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cyanoacrylate#Toxicity.

Well Tim,
There may be a small amount of vaporized monomers, and I have no doubt that they are somewhat toxic, but the primary by product of the reaction that is very irritating is acetic acid vapor.  The acetic acid is used as a base solvent and is ejected as part of the exothermic reaction when the polymerzation triggers.  It's not used in the "Foam Safe" versions.  Another solvent (that escapes my memory at the moment) replaces it.

Randy Cuberly

[Vincent Corwell]

Hi Tim

if you can get safety goggles that fit over the glasses, no CA irritation

and no fogging up of glasses

Vincent

[john e. holliday]

A good box fan will do wonders when you are gluing, painting and sanding on a  model.   I too had to quit using CA for a while until someone told be about the fan.  It does get to the nose and eyes.   

[FLOYD CARTER]

Is acetic acid really an eye irritant?  When I did photography in my darkroom, I used concentrated acetic acid (stop bath). Strong enough to stink up the whole house, but didn't cause me any discomfort.  Isn't vinegar just acetic acid? We put it on our salads!
Floyd

[Randy Cuberly]

Is acetic acid really an eye irritant?  When I did photography in my darkroom, I used concentrated acetic acid (stop bath). Strong enough to stink up the whole house, but didn't cause me any discomfort.  Isn't vinegar just acetic acid? We put it on our salads!
Floyd

HHmmmm..... Well Floyd, the answer is yes vinegar has acetic acid in it but it's about 94% water.  The acetic acid concentrate used in photgraphic processes is about 65% water then usually mixed with more.

Randy Cuberly