Finishing in a basement shop

Re: Finishing in a basement shop

Ed O'Neill

>Carlos, for years my shop was in the basement and I dealt with your problem. I eventually went to water base products. I know leaving oil products behind is tough but my familes health was the determining factor. The purests will go nuts reading this but the odor and the chance of fumes causing fire or even explosions kept me awake at night. Ed

Re: Finishing in a basement shop

John Ergle in SC

>I have the same situation, and I basically agree with Ed. In the summer, I often will spray oil or lacquer outside, then bring it in after it dries (dries a lot quicker outside anyway). But in the winter, I typically use only shellac or water-based polyurethane, brushed or wiped on. No real smell, and those products dry quick enough I don't have to worry quite as much about dust settling and causing problems. If you haven't tried water-based products, I bet you'll be pleasantly surprised. I've gotten where I really favor them over oil for most projects.

Re: Finishing in a basement shop

Mitch from TN (formerly from NYC)

>Guys,

I'm in a similar situation. Can you tell me the specific products you use, especially the water based poly?

Thanks!

Mitch

No Problem......

Barry Irby

>No Wife. The divorce cured the problem. She can't smell it from the next state. AND, according to the decree I don't have to listen anymore.

Re: Finishing in a basement shop

bill tindal, E.TN

>you didn't say where you live, but in the moderate climates it gets warm inside cars on sunny days. I flash off solvent by putting the object (if it is small enough, in the van or car on a sunny day. Around here it will get into the 70's inside the car in full sun. The I bring it in in the afternoon. Wife worked with solvents as part of her job so things like xylene are not objectionable, especially if it means something useful for the home is at hand.

Re: Finishing in a basement shop

Pat in Spokane

>I have a similar situation and am considering installing a bathroom fan above my finishing area. While it may not a perfect solution, I would think you can get decent enough air movement (50-300 CFM) out of a bathroom fan, vented to the outside, which should at least mitigate the problem.

Take my wife.......

Tom Pilsbury (Chicago)

>Please!

You knew that was coming, didn't you? :-)

Re: Finishing in a basement shop

Carlos Clarke

>I'ved tried water based products before. I don't like

the look. I much prefer the warmth that an oil based

product produces.

I have a walk out basement. It opens up under a deck.

I was considering putting a small shed there and

temporarily heating it with an electric heater when

I need to finish something.

That would also give me back my shop since I wouldn't

have to worry about dust any longer.

Water-based poly

John Ergle in SC

>Mitch,

Nothing fancy - mostly just off-the-shelf Minwax poly in the blue can. My only local source is the Blue big box, and I've always used mostly Minwax products. I did use a commercial water based poly when finishing my bedroom floor, but it was more difficult to use and much more expensive.

I've already got one, thanks.

Don Henthorn

>