how often do you change your organic vapor cartridges?

Please read Cartridge (respirator) in wikipedia. This article contains a lot of useful information and links.

What type of paint requires those cartridges?  The only time I used one was when I painted parts for my 1:1 race car with catalyzed acrylic enamel.  For my model paints I have never worn a mask.  Only time I use any mask for modeling is when working with wood- sanding or power saw work. I am very allergic to sawdust these days and found I have to wear a mask when working with wood now.

BTW, for a look at my 1:1 race car, go to www.usfamily.net/web/stauffer and follow the link for a full page on it.  Probably won't do a model of it until I get rid of it.

Hans von Hammer

And if you aren't clean-shaven, you might as well huff from the bottle...

I beg to differ. I use the same mask and it works quite well, even with plenty of stubble.

But you are correct about the actual purpose of the respirator, for miniscule jobs like model painting, the filters should last a long time. I plan on changing mine after an year of use, mostly because that's when the filters will "expire".

As far as turning a fan and opening a window - everyone's situation is different. I build in my basement, which has a very very small window, so ventilation is almost non-existent. Bottom line - nothing good will come out of breathing paint and nothing bad will come out of using a mask :)

enferion2

HI 

 

I am using a 3M6200 with 6001 vapor cartridge. Do you change your cartridge after each you paint your models? I am not sure how often i should be changing mine. I do my painting out doors, using lacquer, and I use industrial thinner to clean my airbrush. I spend about 3-4 hrs a week airbrushing.. please advise

 

thank you

You don't spend enough time painting to worry about it...  Only when they get wet, or become to difficult to breath through because of clogging should you change them... And if you aren't clean-shaven, you might as well huff from the bottle...

Those masks/filters are for people who spend 8 hours a day in a commercial/industrial paint-booth, not modelers who squirt a few drops of paint through an airbrush...  Turn a fan on and open a freakin' window...

Thanks for the response :)...

read the 3M article... in it it says the change schedule should not be used for more than 1 shift for organic vapors.... storage may cause deabsorption to occur where by migration of the chemicals maybe occur thru cartridge without Airflow. This in turn exposes the user to the chemical on the next use :(.... 

Cheers

You mean you're supposed to use a mask while painting???  OMG!!

But if I use a mask I won't get to see all the pretty colors that the walls turn to after I'm done painting! 

Then again, I paint in my garage with the door open and a 36" fan blowing outward...still wear a dust mask though...

They will last quite a while given you conditions. Here is what 3M has to say about it.