Originally Posted by cruentus
A respirator is required for all types of spray painting, even the stuff that comes in an aerosol can. A good quality respirator can be purchased at Home Depot for about 25 bucks. Safety glasses go for 5-10 bucks. Urethane hardener can be dangerous if absorbed through the skin, disposable plastic coveralls are also cheap to buy.
With a little precaution, catalyzed automobile paints can be successfully, and safely, used by the novice.
While I agree as a paint professional that protective gear is a must, there is deeper reason to my statement. Non-catalyzed paints and laquers, when ingested in lungs will eventually degrade and be passed off. Not ideal but not as deadly. I know many body shop painters who are in their 60s and 70s that lived a bit on the edge with the laquers and enamels. Still fine. Several will not touch urethane.
Isocyanate catalyzed paints, such as urethane enamel bond permanently. The eventual film will decrease the usable lung area and eventually cause asphixiation. On a lesser note, the chief painter in my shop has a semi-lethal reaction to the fumes of the catalyzer. Not common, but not predictable, as he can smell any other chemicals available to us with no effect.
Due to this fact, you will want a fresh-air respirator. Mere filter masks(even NIOSH), while removing the paint particulates, will not remove the volatile compounds. I will use a filter when the room air is on high volume(or outdoors) but as a rule, if you can smell it then you shouldn't be near it.
Whichever system you choose, Be certain to find and read all pertinent literature before using. Every paint brand/system has it's own proceduresfor ideal results. The literature is almost always free from the paint stores or sometimes even printed on the labels. Follow those instructions and warnings and you will be rewarded with excellent results.