If you’re considering using paint thinner for your next home renovation project, be sure to first understand the dangers of the product. Sharing many qualities as gasoline, paint thinner remains a highly toxic product known to cause severe health problems if not used properly. Through contact with the trace vapors omitted, any individual can face harsh symptoms like burning in the mouth and throat, feelings of nausea, frequent vomiting, shortness of breath and even nerve or brain damage in the worst cases. Exercising caution when using any sort of paint thinner based project is imperative.
While the symptoms above are deadly, there’s one additional element of paint thinner that poses danger to families. Its combustibility, with a flash point of about 104 degrees Fahrenheit, makes it particularly dangerous around any heat source in the home. No need to worry about house fires though, as throughout this post there will be a detailed account of how to safely use and store any paint thinner product. Check out these tips below.
Come Equipped: before beginning any paint thinner project, be sure to come fully clothed. Protective gloves, googles and splash guards are the type of equipment necessary to ensure safety when using these products. Ultimately, any person using the product should have little to no exposed skin.
Ventilate: the space being worked on must be properly ventilated for utmost safety. To limit lung exposure, the surrounding windows should all be opened. The ceiling fans should be on in full force with auxiliary fans being used as needed. In between use, make sure the container is sealed as well to avoid any additional exposure.
Intended Use Only: with such a dangerous product, it can be frightening not knowing how to properly use it. Prior to any project, carefully check out the instructions plastered on the label.
Limit Exposure: while tempting, families should avoid using excess household materials like rags when using paint thinner. As it is such a combustible product, the more household items doused in paint thinner make it that much more likely to pose a fire hazard. Always keep a collection these rags or cloths after use.
For the sake of reducing the risk of chemical-related injury to your family, be sure to follow all of the tips listed above. Safety is important in every home renovation project, so for more critical information regarding the proper use and storage of these paint thinner products, be sure to check out the infographic coupled alongside this post.
Author bio: Lynn Place is Vice President of Marketing for SolvChem Custom Packaging Division. She has 30 years of professional experience in the manufacturing industry and specializes in consumer packaged goods, new product development and strategic planning.