Isaac Posted December 17, 2016 Report Share Posted December 17, 2016 Just kind of checking my assumptions here. Typically I apply finishes as the last thing I do in the shop for an evening and don't return until the following day or later, at which point the finish is dry and any odors from the finishing have dissipated. Once the finish has dried/cured, does that mean the risk of VOCs is basically gone, or are they a risk even after the finish is dry and odors have dissipated? I'm typically using common urethanes and such. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ronn W Posted December 18, 2016 Report Share Posted December 18, 2016 Good question.... 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wtnhighlander Posted December 18, 2016 Report Share Posted December 18, 2016 I'd say once the finish is actually 'cured', then yes. But most folks mistake 'dry to the touch' for 'fully cured'. Not the same thing at all. For a typical polyurathane in an oil+solvent carrier, I'd say 30 days is a safer bet. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
estesbubba Posted December 18, 2016 Report Share Posted December 18, 2016 5 minutes ago, wtnhighlander said: I'd say once the finish is actually 'cured', then yes. But most folks mistake 'dry to the touch' for 'fully cured'. Not the same thing at all. For a typical polyurathane in an oil+solvent carrier, I'd say 30 days is a safer bet. Yup I've had a few times I would get a whiff of Waterlox even after several weeks in the house. My guess is if you can smell it then there are still some VOCs. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Isaac Posted December 18, 2016 Author Report Share Posted December 18, 2016 8 hours ago, Mike. said: I don't know. I think the VOCs are in the solvent, and the solvents flash off fairly quickly. After that, you might just be smelling the oils and resins as they cure. That is generally what I've come to believe, just been on a safety kick and want to make sure I'm following best practices. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gilgaron Posted December 19, 2016 Report Share Posted December 19, 2016 I don't own one, but there are air quality monitor devices you can buy if you're worried. I just wear a cartridge filter in my respirator when I'm using something more noxious than shellac. All the sawdust in my ceiling boxfan air filter will act as a bit of a carbon filter, too. Any serious spraying gets done in the garage instead of the basement. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AceHoleInOne Posted December 19, 2016 Report Share Posted December 19, 2016 Yep, cured finishes can sometimes be like old people, they just smell. -Ace- 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
xxdabroxx Posted December 19, 2016 Report Share Posted December 19, 2016 I generally don't worry about it unless I'm finishing/ painting something huge or I'm in a really confined space. I'll probably die of cancer someday though so YMMV. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ronn W Posted December 22, 2016 Report Share Posted December 22, 2016 On 12/19/2016 at 9:55 AM, AceHoleInOne said: Yep, cured finishes can sometimes be like old people, they just smell. I resemble that remark!!!! 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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