Day 5: Undercoating

Surprising PSA on Spray Paint Finger

The Traveling Pheasant horse trailer renovation continues! After all the work of sanding and paint chipping, I was anxious to put a coat of paint on an area to boost moral that we were making progress and to keep running the marathon! Once the floor was stripped out and the frame and springs inspected, this area was the trailer's first to see new paint (undercoating) for added protection in her next chapter as a mobile coffee bar.

Undercoating

At the end of the previous day’s renovation work, we had treated the lightly sanded rusty frame and axels with the Rust Off to allow it time to break down surface rust overnight and to stop the rust from spreading. Opening the doors this morning I was pleased to find that there were many areas with the new chalky residue of dissolved rust ready to be blasted away.

I was not being so precise on removing all of the rust from the frame (for once!) as the undercoating stipulated that the surface could have rust, just not debris or chipping. To be the most efficient and avoid spending the majority of the day sanding, I simply used the cup wire brush on the power drill to get as much rust off in the shortest amount of time. It worked well and I only had to use the manual wire brush in the small, hard to reach places around the wheels and springs.

After the frame sanding was complete The Traveling Pheasant Crew (my parents <3) and I scrubbed the whole area with degreaser then gave it an overall good washing.

As the frame now needed to be completely dried before the paint could be applied, we enlisted the aid of an industrial fan for a few hours. It did also help that it was a particularly hot day too!

Finally the moment had arrived & it was time to paint! I used Rustoleum Pro Grade Rubberized Undercoat to finish the frame, springs and axels. In order to cover the whole area, I used two cans but I'd recommend three so you don't run out. I had to run to Home Depot for another can and I swear it was not really full because it covered less area than the first. I honestly did need the third can, however, I was hangry and really couldn't bear another trip. Although I had wanted to make sure the coat was thick, all of the area were covered so it would be just fine.

I felt so happy standing back and looking at the results! It really is amazing what a fresh coat of paint can do. It was as if I was looking at a nice new frame and I felt all the work and effort really was making it look better.

Note: The completion of the fame coating is slightly out of order since we needed to address the welding (our next post so stay tuned!) prior to painting over that one particular area)

PSA on Spray Paint Finger

The moment you have really all been waiting for- what is spray paint finger and how does it merit a PSA?

Let me tell you, I was as shocked to find out this was a real thing and much as you are! Almost immediately after spraying the undercoating, I noticed that my finger was in so much pain. It was indented pretty deeply from the pressure of holding down the narrow nozzle on such a small surface area and felt numb and tingly. When I rubbed it, I felt a sharp jolt like I was hitting a nerve.

This lack of sensation and not being able to bear my finger touching against any surface for days, I took to the internet and trusty old Google. I literally typed in "finger numb for days after spray painting" and was shocked, amused and relieved at what I uncovered.

Apparently I am not the only one to have this problem! I found numerous articles and post by people who were spray painting DIY projects and also had this same nerve damage in their finger, some people not recovering for months!

Spray Paint Finger is the compression to the tiny nerve in your index finger resulting in loss of sensation, tingling and numbness. The damage can take weeks to months to heal.

From what I have gathered, there is a tiny nerve in that part of your fingertip and it is easily compressed. The loss of touch and the tingling sensation is in fact actual nerve damage! This damage can take anywhere from 2 weeks to months to heal.

There are handle products sold like the one below that you can attach to the spray can in order to paint without having to put pressure on the small area of your index finger. I had seen them in the store but didn't give them much thought. If anything I thought they were frivolous, not a health prevention!

This then made me pretty angry. Why on earth should people have to buy a product to protect them from the design the original product sold in order to use it? Why are spray paint can manufacturers still producing this design?! It is a product design that is literally harming it's users and somehow this is accepted practice?

LIVE & LEARN TIP: When spray painting more than a tiny spot, invest in a spray nozzle attachment to save yourself from nerve damage!

I did eventually regain full feeling back in my fingertip after about a month. I still, however, can't believe that this is a thing. When it comes to painting areas on the rest of the trailer, you can bet I will be taking the precautions!

Living, Learning & Nerve Damage,

Heather