just curious. I'm going to be going back to the bodyshop for work, and I"ll be starting once more as a detailer. I was an apprentice painter a couple of years ago (1st year), and was really concerned about my health. I'll be under my old boss again (just a different shop), so I'm not worried about not being able to achieve an apprenticeship once more.

I was just wondering if anyone on here has been a painter/bodyman for a while. What are your thoughts on the trade and health/safety issues (both long/short term)? thanks!

 

My father is nearing 60 and has been painting & doing body work his whole life. His shop is small and doesn't have the budget for a lot of the nice fresh air systems. He uses an old style mask with replacable filters when painting, and nothing during any other steps. So far he's got no ill effects, but there's some nasty crap in those materials and I suspect that eventually it's going to take it's toll in a big way.

 

I moved up through the ranks myself and have been doing the job on and off for about 20 years. (started out as a hobby on my own vehicles with my brother, who is a heavy hit frame tech now...) painted for about ten, foreman, assistant, and now manager, for about a million dollar a year business.
The hazards are definitely there...don't let anyone tell you different, but like anything, it is what it is.
Use common sense, wear the right protective gear, (Gloves when working with thinners and paints, respirators when spraying anything, saftey glasses, and you're much safer.
Your boss should be up to speed as well, on state and national regs. (Trust me it's tough, and time consuming, to stay up on all the issues and still run a business.) But YOU need to educate yourself in what you're dealing with on a day to day basis. People in this day and age are all to happy to pawn their lack of awareness off on other people, PLEASE, take responsibility for your own saftey and actions.

 

ya, i currently run a small paint and body shop also and there are health risks. when i started out i wasn't very safe, didn't use any kind of gloves, which you'll definitely wanna have if your dealing with thinner cuz that stuff burns. but i always did and still do wear a mask when i spray anything whether it be primer, paint, clearcoat, etc. i've only recently started wearing safety glasses after i got shot in the eye with paint so many times i just got tired of it, and started wearing them.

 

thanks for the responses so far, guys!

I guess I would put myself in the middle of being safe and not being safe. When spraying, I don't wear goggles because I'm scared that the paint/clearcoat will slowly cover my goggles... anyone have any tips on how to properly use goggles while spraying without getting them covered? I've definately been a victim of getting clearcoat stuck to my eye lashes; it happened when I was painting the inside of a truck's cab.

My other (redundant) question would be... if you do take the necessary safety precautions along with an attitude of being safe in the work place, are you still at a high risk of being sick in the future?

 

I jus came back from my shop workin on the Roc, i spray with or without a mask or a respirator, and with them, it depends if i have the booth on, teh extractor fans, adn where i am sprayin, for primer, i rarelly use anything, for paint, i try to use my respirator, but sumtimes i dont, well, most of the time i dont, im only 20 and have been at it for about a year, im fine, one fo the gys i worked with he did it for 35 years, healthy as a roc...i donno...

 

I have been a bodyguy for 8 years now. I think its like kevin g said.I know I will get sh@t about this but i think bodyguys have more health issue than painters do. As long as u make sure u all ways wear a mask no matter how small the job is and gloves not much to worry about.And u can get full face mask that has the respirator build in. (not cheap)That u put clear films over it when it gets to much paint on it u peel it off.

Charged350 just because there fine it could effect u differently.(thats just like saying he smoked for 30 years never got cancer so i can smoke and nothing will happen to me) Not trying to start anything. I've talked and been around alot of older bodyguys and painters. And all of them have lost friends that did not care or just to lazy about mask,gloves etc etc to use them..... U should were a mask. I know in the last shop i worked in the painters had to go get lung test every year to stay working. If u plan on doing this line of work for any long period of time TAKE AS MANY SAFETY PRECAUTIONS AS U CAN.....................

 

Been doing body work for about 6 years and painting for about 3 of those years. I think as long as you know the risks and take the proper precautions ( always wear a paint resperator when painting and where another respirator when doing regular body work) then you will be fine!

 

Just remember, your #1. No profit or deadline is worth risking your health. Alot of these paints contain isocyanates which will tear your lungs up. I've seen guys paint one car, and be outside hunched over wheezing. Do whatever it takes to take care of yourself, the cars and shop come second.

As far as fogging up your goggles, just use cheap ones, or maybe put a thin layer of plastic film over them so you can peel it off later. Many modern clear coats are attracted to moisture and your eyes are two big sponges. You got to protect them.