paint resperator

Whichever brand you buy, make sure that the filter cartridge is suitable for organic chemicals/vapours and not just for dust/particulates.

Hello everyone.  I work for a safety equipment company and find that a lot of people don't realize how dangerous even household chemicals can be even if they are used properly.   Here are the basics on respiratory protection. There are dust masks and there are respirators. Dust masks do not have any industry approval and can usually be identified by having only one strap and come in one size.   Respirators will have approval ratings (NIOSH in the USA) and dual straps and are available in disposable (paper) and reusable (rubber or silicone) types. Some of the disposable paper types will come in different sizes and the reusable masks will always be available in three sizes.

A disposable respirator will block solid particles only unless is has an inner layer of charcoal to adsorb nuisance chemicals.  The chemical protection offered by this layer is for low levels of chemicals only.  For solvent based paints you would want an organic vapor barrier.  

Reusable respirators can accommodate a filter for particles or a chemical cartridge for chemicals or a combination filter/chemical cartridge for both situations.  When you are spray painting you are generating particles and chemicals and the dual filter/cartridge is best.  

Over 25 years I have fit tested hundreds of people to verify that the correct size of respirator is being used (required by OSHA in the US) and have found that the paper masks just don't fit as well as the reusable masks.   The reusable mask will cost more initially but by offering dual protection and years of mask life it will be the least expensive over time.   How do you tell if the dual filter/cartridge is working?  If the mask is fitting correctly you should not have any particle residue in the mask or around your nose or mouth and you should not smell the chemical.  Should you feel more than usual breathing resistance when inhaling change the filter. Smell the chemical, change the chemical cartridge.

OK, I'll get off my soap box, er, couch.

Take care folks

Ed

Ditto what is said above...I use a Binks brand dual cartridge, and have for years. It fits me well, and the replacement filters are available and affordable. I've used mine when painting cabinet lacquers and enamels, as well as house paints, and can still add and subtract, so it should be fine for many years of modelling.

If you have a "real" paint store in your area, they can show you the choices in name brand masks, and tell you the pros and cons of the different ones they sell. Don't let the initial price put you off - a good mask will be an investment you'll be glad you made.

mike

I use a spray booth for rattle cans, and that seems to do the job well enough for me. If I did not have a booth I could see wearing some sort of protection.  For airbrushing, I get so little overspray and use so little paint I do not even use my spray booth for airbrushing.  The secret is not to use the airbrush as a spray gun, but rather consider it a brush that applies paint without brush strokes showing.  Get up close, don't thin too much, and don't use too much pressure.

I like to be as comfortable as possible when I airbrush, seated at my regular modeling bench, with a repositionable light source, and wearing vision aids.

I use a 3M series 6000 NIOSH respirator, it has both particle and organic filters and it works very well.  I cannot smell the fumes from whatever paint or solvent I may be spraying.  You can find them for about $30 at places like Home Depot or Lowe's, and replacement filters are readily available.

But I also agree with Don- when I airbrush acrylics, I paint at low volume and low pressure, so practically nothing floats around in the air.  Light touch and very little paint sprayed.

Wow a little overwhelemed by all the great info. Thanks guys!!