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How do I identify
hazardous products?
- Notice the warning symbols
on labels, and read the precautions. The symbols on a solvent
label, for example, may show that it's flammable.
What precautions
should I take with hazardous products?
- Keep the containers closed
and out of child's reach.
- Use protective clothing and
eye wear.
- Inside, open the doors and
windows.
- Eliminate sources of ignition.
- Clean up spills promptly.
- Safely dispose of clean-up
rags.
- Follow the directions on the
label.
I've heard of paint
rags starting fires. How can I avoid that kind of problem?
- Don't save rags you've used
for flammable products.
- Lay the used rags out to dry
before disposal.
What
do I clean up with?
To clean
up:
- For
latex, use warm water.
- For
alkyd, use solvent or paint thinner.
How
do I clean brushes?
Here is a
thorough method, including a final couple of steps to use at
the end of the project:
- Soak
the brush immediately, following the recommendations on
the container (water for latex, and solvent or paint thinner
for alkyd).
- Remove
excess water or solvent by holding the handle between
the palms and spinning the brush in an empty paint container.
- Wash
in warm, soapy water.
- Rinse
in clean water.
- Gently
pull the bristles back into shape.
- Hang
the brush up to dry.
- Reshape
the brush by replacing it in its packaging.
- Store
the dry brush in a sealed plastic bag in a dry place.
How
do I clean rollers?
- Scrape
excess paint out of the roller. Then essentially follow
the steps for brushes. To remove excess water after washing,
squeeze the roller with your hands. Alternatively, use a
brush-and-roller spinner.
How
do you recommend I store paint?
These suggestions
are important not only to preserve the paint but also to avoid
safety hazards:
- Follow
the instructions on labels.
- Check
that the containers are tightly sealed.
- Store
paint in containers that are almost full.
- Don't
store paint near sources of heat or ignition.
- Don't
store or reuse empty paint containers.
How
do you recommend I dispose of paint?
To dispose
of paint and solvents:
- Preferably
use up any extra paint. You could use it, for example, to
touch up the topcoat.
- If
there is a fair amount of extra paint, you might donate
it to a community group.
- Reuse
paint thinners, turpentine, mineral spirits, solvents, etc.,
that have been used for cleaning application tools. If you
allow the used liquid to sit in a closed container, the
paint particles will settle; you can then pour off and save
the clear liquid. Add an absorbent such as cat litter to
the residue, and dispose of it through a disposal programme.
- Call
the local or provincial government for guidance about household
hazardous waste disposal programmes in your area. For
additional guidance about disposal services, you might look
up "Waste Disposal" in the yellow pages.
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