Anyone else spray acrylics too without a face mask or something?

While I spray rattle cans in my spray booth, I don't use it for airbrushing.  There is so little overspray, so little fumes while airbrushing, I don't think it is necessary.

I consider an airbrush to be a brush that puts down paint without brush marks, not a spray gun. I keep pressure low, distance small.

I have a 3M mask with removable filters, with different sets for Particulates & for VOC's (check the 3M website for details)

They have a 'use by' date once opened & in use & which set of filters in use depends on what I'm spraying or doing.

EG at the moment I'm on the 'honey do' list, painting ceilings (not needed) & filling/sanding walls prior to painting (particulate filters, 'cos, hay, I got the mask & don't like the dust.

Redryder, I would suggest washing the mask with Johnsons' baby bath (or similar) & if the smell is still an issue, bin it?

Don S, I know only one person who does use two-pack, & he used a pro quality forced air hood.  Otherwise read the info very carefully & get the right filters.

On the same topic, for those of you that wear respirators, do your masks retain the smell of the paint fumes?

As soon as I put mine on, I get an overpowering lacquer thinner smell. The cartridges themselves have no smell, so it must be the silicone mask or the straps. I'm wondering if it's safe to continue wearing when painting.

Like Cadet Chuck said. "You got one pair of lung only". So its best to be protected.

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The one above is the best one I ever used. Its a particle and fume mask.

I wear this till the cleaning stage. Coz I use hardware lacquer thinner for washing anything that is used in my airbrush.

When I began airbrushing about 50 years ago, I used model enamel paint. Clueless about the nature of paint fumes and the hazards associated, no mask, no open window, NO venting of fumes directed away from me. By the second session I was in serious medical distress, the Doctor told me that the raw fumes had really affected my respiratory system, the coughing and wheezing lasted for a few days.

I suppose it can be said that the fumes could bother some more than others, but I could also point out that exposure surely can't be considered good for anyone. Painting outside with a light breeze displacing the fumes away likely would be OK, or even indoors with sufficient removal of fumes by suitable venting means. Otherwise, an adequate respirator should be considered required.

I use a spray booth with very positive flow through a filter, then fumes are vented via duct to outside exit port, which is sealed around the duct. Even with that system, still I use a mask when painting, and especially when cleaning up the equipment when painting is finished. Since I have been at this hobby for so long and I do a lot of painting, I do consider it essential to maximize health protection. As Jon rightly pointed out you're only issued one set of lungs, use 'em, don't abuse 'em.

I made my own booth, the design features of many others were incorporated, the final product is my fourth effort, it works quite well and is convenient. Total cost of this one, perhaps $75. The same as you need good light for painting, your lungs need clean air. I wish good health for all, and recommend doing whatever needed to preserve your respiratory function. The skin is alleged to be the most absorptive part of the anatomy, so appropriate glove protection should be considered as well.

But even I don't use a bio hazard suit, (yet I do like the looks of the bright yellow ones.)

Patrick  

Air dry acrylics are okay, catalyzed stuff (two part) is wicked and you need a fairly fancy mask.

Like BlackSheep, all my airbrushing is done outside, so no mask. I do use a pop-up canopy to shelter the models and myself from the warm California sun, though.

Always mask when doing large stuff, with spray booth on.

ALWAYS when spraying acrylic varnishes & Future/Kleer.

short sessions, Tiny stuff, with low pressure, etc., tend not to use mask but I use the booth anyway since I got it, & vent it out the window.

Don't take unnecessary chances, you only get one pair of lungs.

I don't spray Acrylics that often, but if I am doing a quick short, then I won't bother with a mask. I have a booth and spray in my shed with the door open. I sometimes do the same when spraying enamels and lacquers as well even though I know I shouldn't. I am sure my lungs don't need any more rubbish in them after 30 years of smoking.

I sometimes do without a mask when I feel lazy but I paint in a spray booth that vents the fumes to the outside.

Sometimes,if it's a quick shot on small pieces,low pressure,almost no overspray.I will.

Acrylics no mask but I paint in a spray booth.

KAYSEE88

Texgunner

 Oh, and I don't have a haz-mat suit either.

Gary

Oh nooooo, you got to get one of those Man! 

Nawwww,  just my daisy-dukes and an FAL t-shirt will do!

Texgunner

 Oh, and I don't have a haz-mat suit either.

Gary

Always wear a mask or respirator when spraying anything.  You don't  want that *** in your  lungs, it never comes out!!!

I spray enamel and lacquer and rarely if ever use any acrylic paint.  I have no spray booth, nor do I wear a respirator either.  When I was a professional residential/commercial painter (10 years), I used my Binks respirator and even taped a disposable dust mask over the filter cans to gain a bit more protection.  But that was when spraying enamel paint or lacquer primer or clear finishes with an airless spray gun.   That did create quite a bit of over-spray.   My Paasche Model H does not fortunately.   At my modeling table, I use a small fan to blow the smell of the enamel away from me.   It would help if I could open the two windows in my study but not only are they stuck shut, they are also almost impossible to reach in the current configuration.  Oh, and I don't have a haz-mat suit either.

Gary

I don't since all my airbrushing is done in my garage or outdoors during the warm summer/fall months. Others have used them though.