Lead Paint

[firstlastboat]

First Hello, this is my first post, I am working on my first boat, a 1964 - 22' Century Raven.
I have no clue what I am doing, so most of my questions will most likely seem really dumb.
I have a question about lead paint I am stripping the hull, and I am wondering if I should be worried that the paint is lead based.

[mmd]

Don't eat the paint.

Use a dust mask when scraping or sanding. Don't let little kids or pets play around the area you are working. Drop cloths for clean-up are good, but if you are working on a good smooth shop floor, sweeping/vacuuming up will be OK as long as you don't raise a great deal of dust. When really complete, maybe a damp mopping if you have kids or pets that hang out in the shop.

Lead-based paint can be noxious if exposed to a great deal of it or for a long time. Both are not terribly likely with refinishing a single 24-ft boat. Keep a clean shop, wear a dust mask when working with the stuff and you'll be fine.

[firstlastboat]

So you think it is lead Paint?!
Also I don't have any kids (only 22 yrs old)

[P.I. Stazzer-Newt]

So you think it is lead Paint?!
Also I don't have any kids (only 22 yrs old)

The "!" is uncalled for - but you're probably safest to follow mmd's approach and assume that there may be lead present - it is not terribly dangerous if you do as he suggests and avoid eating a whole boat in one go.

[kc8pql]

So you think it is lead Paint?

Who knows. MMD's suggestions are good practice anyway. Boarbuilding/repair exposes you to all sorts of things that aren't good for you. It just makes sense to take those minimal precautions.

[firstlastboat]

Thanks everyone. The forum has been very helpful, in trying to rebuild the raven.

[P.I. Stazzer-Newt]

We like pictures.

[C. Ross]

If you want to know for sure, you can get llittle lead paint test kits at the hardware store. They're cheap little swabs that turn pink if it's lead.

Several years ago I renovated our 1892 house with much paint stripping and plaster removal. Some of it was lead paint. Michael's (MMD) advice is perfect. I also sealed off "project" rooms with plastic tarp and tape with a slit I could squeeze through in and out. Everybody in the family was tested for lead exposure, including small kids, and nobody had elevated levels.

Be careful, but don't overreact. Be equally cautious with solvents, epoxies, finishes, etc. as kc8pql says.

[Thorne]

http://www.glovenation.com/sitebuilder/images/FinalShots700-202x160.jpg

http://www.northernsafety.com/images/webphotos/P14000/P0014103T.jpg

[werner]

Lead is very toxic
there still seems to be a discussion among scientist, some say even very small amounts of lead have an effect for more info
http://www.epa.gov/lead/

[firstlastboat]

Thanks.
P.I. asked for some photo... http://picasaweb.google.com/kurtmailloux/CenturyRaven03

[Andrew Craig-Bennett]

You look to be doing a good job.

Unless the boat has been stored under cover for many years, she will almost certainly have been taken back to bare wood more than once, so it is really most unlikely that there will be any lead paint present. Red lead primer is very recognisable and I don't see any in your pictures.

However, it is always wise to keep cleaning up when stripping paint, as MMD says, because otherwise the dust becomes tiresome and you create a fire hazard.

[P.I. Stazzer-Newt]

Thanks.
P.I. asked for some photo... http://picasaweb.google.com/kurtmailloux/CenturyRaven03

Very nice indeed.
Thanks

[SamSam]

Lead paint is one thing, bottom paint is worse.