Can I use a regular face mask for airbrushing?

As a 1:1 auto painter, I'll suggest a replaceable filter auto painter mask, from 3M.  Can be had at any body/paint store, or large parts store, or online.

The masks you show are good for dust, but not meant for paint.  They might do in a pinch for water based stuff, but you're better off going the other route.

If stored in a sealed bag or plastic container, like a tupperware canister or sealable coffee can, the filters will last longer.

Inhaling paint Voc's and small particles is not something to take lightly.  You can liken it to coal miner's black lung.

Search for paint respirator.

If you can smell paint thru your mask,then it's not effective.I bought a regular 3m respirator,couldn't be more the 40 bucks and I don't smell anything while painting.

I also wear it to the grocery store I don't catch Covid

Please also be really considerate of your roomates. Cats and dogs have tiny little lungs and they should be kept away from fumes.

Bill

The pic in tojo's post is the one.  Cartridges should be replaceable.

Might think about using an appropriate sized cardboard box, vent outside using a window with a fan behind you.  Will help contain overspray as well.   Makes parents happy too, don't ask....

Good to know.  I've been using the N95.  I'll definitely upgrade.

I have that same respirator Tojo 3M performance respirator.  Only drawback is wearing my glasses while painting can be a chore.  Just checked on amazon where I got mine and it says:

Prioritized for organizations on the front lines responding to COVID-19.

I paid $25.73 in may of 2019.

That's why I suggested paint supply or parts store.  Price will be a little more stable than on-line scalpers.

Tojo72

If you can smell paint thru your mask,then it's not effective.I bought a regular 3m respirator,couldn't be more the 40 bucks and I don't smell anything while painting.

As above, box VOC filters with white clip-on dust pads. If you can smell it, get new filters.

The 7502 is medium (S=7501 L=7503).

PS I cought Covid-19 in hospital, go figure!

keavdog

I have that same respirator Tojo 3M performance respirator.  Only drawback is wearing my glasses while painting can be a chore. 

I have two 7500 series 3M Masks. They are soft Sillicone, fit very well with GLASSES on and I have a BEARD, with no problems.

I use N95 for acrylics, the fancy 3M ones with the exhaust vent are quit effective. Course you can't find them right now lol. But if you use a spray booth with vent even solvent paints are not saturating the air enough to smell through the N95 I use ( I can't speak for the style you have). I just shot some lacquer over the weekend no problem and hot type lacquer will about blow my head off if I smell it. I really never got along with it even just mixing the stuff without a proper mask in 1/1. However, if I shot solvent paints all the time I'd use the replacable cartridge mask as above ( I have one in P95 cartridge form rated for solvent paints, it's a 6000 series mask). But I'm using about 90% acrylics now. The N95 is fine for acrylic particles. With solvent paints even if the particles are removed the fumes get you but my booth takes most of those away anyway.

I agree with consideration of pets etc.

GMorrison

Please also be really considerate of your roomates. Cats and dogs have tiny little lungs and they should be kept away from fumes. 

Bill 

If I may follow up on Bill's advice, I'd add that you should think about getting yourself a spray booth, eventually, with powered ventilation to help remove the fumes and particulates in the air as much as possible.

Jon_a_its

 

 

keavdog

I have that same respirator Tojo 3M performance respirator.  Only drawback is wearing my glasses while painting can be a chore. 

 

 

 

I have two 7500 series 3M Masks. They are soft Sillicone, fit very well with GLASSES on and I have a BEARD, with no problems.

 

Thanks - I may pick one up.  Looks like I can use the same filters.

This is the 3M mask that I have been using...

https://www.amazon.com/3M-Facepiece-Respirator-Respiratory-Protection/dp/B008MCUT86/ref=sr_1_7?dchild=1&keywords=3M+Rugged+Comfort+Half+Facepiece+Reusable+Respirator+7502%2C+Medium&qid=1610475731&sr=8-7

And the the filter cartridges rated for organic vapors...

https://www.amazon.com/3M-6001PB1-1-Organic-Vapor-Cartridge/dp/B00GXKNBT8/ref=pd_sbs_469_2/142-4046958-5527704?_encoding=UTF8&pd_rd_i=B00GXKNBT8&pd_rd_r=942b97da-40fc-4aed-b7fe-395fcb6db7c9&pd_rd_w=S557E&pd_rd_wg=0zeSA&pf_rd_p=3ec6a47e-bf65-49f8-80f7-0d7c7c7ce2ca&pf_rd_r=8GB4H2Y04H1BZ48WK13F&psc=1&refRID=8GB4H2Y04H1BZ48WK13F#customerReviews

I believe you can order refill pads for the cartridge assembly but I have not tried that route yet.

If you wear glasses this mask is nice because it is configured to direct your exhaled breath straight down and that pretty much eliminates fogged lenses on your glasses.

I also use a 3M respirator 7500 series but I use the P100/60926 multi gas cartridges that cover all bases.

Also beards and respirators don't go together.

The respirator will not seal properly around a beard so you might as well not even bother putting one on.

My experience from 32 years in metal fabrication/welding and powder coating.

*Answering The Baron's question

I already have one. I built one out of a bathroom exhaust, and an old container bin

rcguy,

thanks for the info on the multi gas cartridges I will look into those.

Glad you take your health and safety seriously. I met a former welder in his 50s at my job many years ago who had not taken precautions seriously. He told me that he could no longer weld because he had lost a kidney due to the chromium and other heavy metals that he breathed during the welding process precipitating out in his kidneys. He was hoping that his other kidney would remain healthy enough to stay intact.

Back to the bench

This is the 3M mask that I have been using...

https://www.amazon.com/3M-Facepiece-Respirator-Respiratory-Protection/dp/B008MCUT86/ref=sr_1_7?dchild=1&keywords=3M+Rugged+Comfort+Half+Facepiece+Reusable+Respirator+7502%2C+Medium&qid=1610475731&sr=8-7

And the the filter cartridges rated for organic vapors...

https://www.amazon.com/3M-6001PB1-1-Organic-Vapor-Cartridge/dp/B00GXKNBT8/ref=pd_sbs_469_2/142-4046958-5527704?_encoding=UTF8&pd_rd_i=B00GXKNBT8&pd_rd_r=942b97da-40fc-4aed-b7fe-395fcb6db7c9&pd_rd_w=S557E&pd_rd_wg=0zeSA&pf_rd_p=3ec6a47e-bf65-49f8-80f7-0d7c7c7ce2ca&pf_rd_r=8GB4H2Y04H1BZ48WK13F&psc=1&refRID=8GB4H2Y04H1BZ48WK13F#customerReviews

I believe you can order refill pads for the cartridge assembly but I have not tried that route yet.

If you wear glasses this mask is nice because it is configured to direct your exhaled breath straight down and that pretty much eliminates fogged lenses on your glasses.

 

rcguy

Also beards and respirators don't go together.

The respirator will not seal properly around a beard so you might as well not even bother putting one on.

My experience from 32 years in metal fabrication/welding and powder coating.

As I said, I have  a beard, I keep it SHORT no#2 cut, no problems, because, CPAP machine with Darth Vader Mask...

Neither give me problems, because I no longer do metal finishing, stove enameling or powder coating... 
(Did a lot of sub-contracting finishing for Norton motorbikes & racing teams amongst others) 

Teenage Modeler

*Answering The Baron's question 

I already have one. I built one out of a bathroom exhaust, and an old container bin

And vented to the outside?