Valspar hardner

Can you use Valspar hardner with Rusteloum paint?

You should read the label on that hardener as most require the use of a supplied air system for breathing. Hal

to answer your question,It has worked for me.

Use supplied air, I ended up in the Hospital after painting with hardener and just a respirator.

What if you painted outside, is that as dangerous?

Yes, the cloud of vapor will surround you.

I have painted a few Farmall tractors and have used a hardner from NAPA and I wore a good mask and it never bothered me. Is there a difference in hardners or do they all affect you in the same way.

Safety issues when using paint hardeners discussed in this publication (pdf file): <a href="http://lrws.gov.sk.ca/spraying-isocyanate-paints-primers">Spraying Isocyanate Paints</a>

I wear a full face helmet, maybe I was sensitized the first time, but almost died the second time from respiratory distress.

A supplied-air respirator is the only way to safely spray modern paints using hardeners. Some individuals may have a higher tolerance for the adverse effects of isocyanates in hardeners than others. Not everyone is the same though and like you, I learned the hard way many years ago that a cheap mask, even a charcoal one, was NOT sufficient. Painting outside is not a solution either. I have always done all my painting outside. Not long ago I repainted the moldboard of my Fisher snowplow - also outside. Because of the curvature of the moldboard, I was totally enveloped in overspray being redirected directly into my face. I could barely see where the paint was actually being applied, only 2 or 3 feet away. My full-face supplied-air respirator protected not only my lungs but my eyes also.

Unless someone is required by employment rules, using a supplied-air respirator when spraying paint with hardeners on a DIY basis is a personal choice, as it should be. No, the equipment is not cheap, but it's always best to minimize a real risk to your own safety and good health. Using hardeners is, for the most part, optional for enamels except for the urethanes. My advice to anyone contemplating using hardeners in paint is to get the proper supplied-air equipment or simply don't use optional hardeners (or urethanes, which require such additives).

You can and some probably do. Does it actually do any good? Probably not. The technical term for "hardner" is "catylist" and the definition of catylist is a product that when combined with another product will create a third product unrelated to the two base products. (more or less) If the rustoleum doesn't contain the resin to react with the catylist then it does no good. If rustoleum doesn't supply their own catylist then it's a sure bet that they surely don't waste the money putting the resin into their paint. ALL paint doesn't just automatically have this resin in it just for someone who may want to use any "hardener" in it. Why not call Valspar and see what their answer is? Or for that mater call Rustoleum. Playing chemist is rolling the dice. Not many millionairs made that way.

You can end up with serious health issues. It's not worth it. I had several cars and a tractor painted at a body shop after I did the preparation. I furnished the paint. Hal

I bought a full face supplied air system after painting for several years without one. I dont know why I didnt do it sooner. Yeah, it costs some bucks, BUT I can actaully sleep at night after painting. The chemicals used to make me have trouble sleeping for a few days. Plus, when I am on the ground under a tractor you dont have all the over spray falling in your eyes. Plus, the air blowing on your face keeps you cool and refreshed....

That is what I have, love it.

I have 50' of hose. It is important to keep the blower in the fresh air. I had it too close once and suffered for that.

albane:

Yes, hardeners are different and they effect you in different ways; but they are all hazardous to your health. TDI (toluene di-isocyanate) used with Urethanes is one of the worst.

Whether you use hardeners or not, the paint itself is hazardous because in almost all paints the primary filler is Micro-Fine Silica. If you should inhale the paint dust it would be the same as inhaling microscopic razor-blades - can everyone say: SILICOSIS . It may not get you right away, but it will get you.

Doc

it boils down to ( IF ) you are sensitive to it.

IF you are sensitive to it. I hear even smelling the fumes from an hour after painting can put you in the hospital.

if you are not sensitive to it.. then you can paint with it outside with no (noticeable ) ill effects.

FWIW.. I use to use the valspar hardner.. but have switched to the nason quik cure. same $ and it dries faster...

I paint open air, outside. While I'd like to get supplied air.. I have not yet. if I keep painting as much as I have been over the last 15 ys.. i SHOULD.

I also imagine age and overall pulminary function plays a role. IE.. a young guy with good lungs and is not sensitive.. he may get away with it for decades.

take an older guy or a smoker.. and who may or may not be sensitive to it.. and you might find bad / dangerous results.

You may not be sensitive to it now and paint a dozen tractors outside. take a break for a few years and come back and have it knock you out.. etc.

if you THINK you might be sensitive or have existing pulminary issues.. I'd be on the safe side.

Bad stuff. I have gotten away with painting 2 truck, I had one of them so long I got to do it again so 3 if you count that. My '66 mustang and various fenders from deer hits etc on vehicles over the years. I never got sick from a charcoal mask but fear I will next time. I read awhile back that the hardner mess is cumulative like carbon monoxide. You can get some today and some a few days later etc. It build up and takes awhile to get out of your system. I realized that even after a few days of painting that I did not feel real well. I'm going to look for one of those hobby air deals before starting any more paint jobs. It is rewarding to take a vehicle from start to finish in paint...but not worth a life or a kidney transplant or even a liver from poisoning.

Problem with any chemical, it may not affect you for years and then kill you. There are 4 different kinds of Leukemia, which is a horrible death, probably all caused by chemical exposure. If you can't afford supplied air, you can't afford to paint with hardners.

I have never used a hardener. Thanks for the warning here. I didn't know that it was that smelly and dangerous.