In one of my paint books The Complete Book of Bodywork & Painting (Peterson Publishing Aug. 1995) it states that PPG's Deltron (universal basecoat) and NCT Clearcoat DC 1100 are both user-friendly and are Isocyanate-Free. Therefore ,a Charcoal Respirator can be worn when working with this paint combination. Now I was going to use PPG's DBC Basecoat in a blue or turquoise or maroon metallic , and use DCU-2021 Clearcoat. My questions are these: Is the DBC Basecoat and the DCU-2021 Clearcoat also Isocyanate-Free and can be sprayed with using a Charcoal Respirator ???? Next question is: Quality wise and holdout whats the difference between The Deltron (universal) Basecoat vs DBC Basecoat, and NCT Clearcoat (DC 1100) vs DCU-2021 Clearcoat ??? This is going on a 68 El Camino after being stripped to bare metal using aircraft stripper, epoxy primer,urethane primer-surfacer(NCP-271),then a good basecoat/clearcoat system that I can spray without having to use a freshair system. Want to use a good charcoal respirator and a throwaway paint suit. Thanks, Mark ----------------------------------------------------------------------------1968 Chevelle Malibu 1968 El Camino

In my opinion don't bother with the deltron or the NCT. Buy a good quality respirator and use the DBC and the 2021.

Do you mean a good quality Charcoal Respirator Mike ?? Do you know of a good brand and the part no.# ?? Thanks, Mark

Hopefully Sev't and MartinSr will comment on these above questions. It would be very much appreciated. Thanks, Mark

Eric,Martin SR , Baddbob are you out there ???

When you shop for paint, your paint store should be able to recommend what you need.I have 2 3M's,one is a throwaway,the other I can replace filters.

3M masks is what I like.
They make 3 different ones
The first type is a throw away mask, once the filters go bad you throw the WHOLE thing out.
Part number 07193

The second type is just like the first one but the filters are removable. The filters go bad you replace just the filters.
Part number 07179

The third type is a totally different mask. The style and type of rubber is different. This mask is dark blue in color were the others are gray in color. This is 3M's "Professional" model
Part number 37079

Personally I like the pro model(37079) the best as it seems to fit and form the face better. It costs about 25 bucks

The replacable filters are part numbers 07195 for the charcoal filters and 07194 for the white pre filters which fit either the 2nd or 3rd type masks...Eric

For the first poster, get the DBC basecoat. That unverisal or DBU as its called sucks IMO

A good paint suit is called SHOOT SUIT. This is one of the best suits Ive worn, its very breathable meaning you wont sweat your arse off while you are painting.
Check out www.toolsusa.com (http://www.toolsusa.com) or
www.autobodytoolmart.com (http://www.autobodytoolmart.com)
one of those places them for about 40 bucks.
I got about 4-5 months out of mine and used it everyday

Old book, Chemicals have changed in last 10 years.

Thanks for the info. guys. Guess I will be using the DBC Basecoat. Eric, if I use the 37079 or the 07179 Respirators,can I spray the DBC Basecoat and the 2021 clear with those respirators using Charcoal filters ???? I cant buy a fresh-air system. Thanks,Mark

You can spray those products with the masks mentioned, just remember these cartridges only have a working life of 8 hours so when not in use keep the mask sealed in an airtight container. Have some good airflow in your spray area, if the amount of hazardous material in your air exceeds what the filter is capable of then your body will take some in. Wear a hooded paint suit- it will keep your skin protected and also provide for a cleaner finish. Eye protection and gloves is also recomended.

A good friend of mine does his paint work with a home brewed set up that supplies his air. He uses a hood with a large plastic lense, hooks up a t-fitting with an inline regulator on both outlet lines which clips to his belt, one line runs to his spray gun and the other line goes up under his hood, he regulates the amount of air entering his hood with the small line mounted regulator, he wears his charcoal respirator under the hood to filter the compressor air before it enters his lungs. The compressor uses a fresh air intake from outside the building. He's used this for quite some time. His compressor may be spitting some contaminiants but he feels it is a much better way to go than just using a mask with no air supply.

Safety First

Thanks for the info. Bob. I will be painting the Elky in my 24x24 Garage this summer. Ive got a window on each wall and I was going to open my service door (man) and attached screen to the inside to let the fumes escape. Also Bob would it be OK to use a couple of cheap BOX fans (elecric) to help pull the fumes out ?? Ive done this in the past and it worked OK then. It would be safe using the BOX fans to help pull out the fumes when using the DBC Basecoat and 2021 clear ????? Thanks Again, Mark

People have been using box fans and squirrel cage design fans for years on these do it yourself type paint jobs. Just remember these types of fans are not sealed and the electric motors will cause an explosion if the conditions are just right. A spraybooth designed fan is sealed for safety. You need good airflow and the air needs to be filtered. If possible try to rent a real booth for spraying your car, most times you'll be money ahead. Find a shop owner that'll rent you his booth on a weekend, JMO

I cant afford to rent a spray booth so I will be shooting it in my Garage using the Box fans and Squirrel Cage. I can open 3 windows and open the service door and I will attach screen on the inside of the door to keep out bugs. I attach plastic to all the wall and ceiling to control as much overspray as possible around the garage. I just cant believe how much paint supplies went up since my last paint job in 1998. Ive never paid over $100.00 pr. gal. for paint, and now its like $170.- 250.00. Mark

Yeah the paint prices have gotten out of hand, Heck, even a gallon of reducer will cost you a $50 if you're using premium materials. A pint of paint can run as high as $80. I was talking with my local PPG rep the other day and he told me of a resto that recently got done on a 56 Ford where the shop burned up $4600 in materials! OH MY GOD! I've noticed that many shops are turning to budget suppliers for primers and clears in an effort to keep expenses down, Trans star, Matrix, etc. Some of the shops I survey say they lose money on materials others tell me they make 30% profit, so I guess management must play into the picture big time. Mixing only as much as needed is the key to reduced waste/money IMO. Ramble, ramble

And people don't belive how much paint cost. Talking about fresh air hood. I just bought one tonight from auto body store.com. Hobby air 2. Anyone have this one. Would useing a Squirrel Cage with a sealed motor from a paint mixing staion be ok?

Using a fan with a sealed motor off the mixing station would probably work ok if it moves enough air. I use a Survive Air System, haven't tried the hobby air 2.