Half mask vs Full Mask respirator: Which one do you prefer?

[K.T.]

Hi Everyone,

I need to do a bunch of painting and staining for the first time this weekend and debating whether to get a half mask or full mask respirator (fresh air respirators would be a little overkill for me right now).

Could you tell me why you opted one over the other.

Thank you for your responses.

 

[mouppe]

I wear a half mask for painting and staining, but I rarely spray and rarely paint. If I spray I would wear a pair of goggles too. Woodwork is my hobby so I reach for the stain perhaps once every three months if that. I have never sprayed a stain before as I use a cloth or brush. If you don't spray I don't see the need for eye protection unless you get irritated easily.

It all depends on your specific needs. Is your first time going to be followed by several more painting sessions? If not, I would consider the half mask perfectly adequate. Just make sure you get one with the right cartridges.

Your local hardware shop should also be able to give you specific advice to suit your requirements.

Richard.

 

[chrisrosenb]

I use a 3M 6000 series half face respirator.
I chose it because it is the only type of respirator I have ever used.

 

[Chris Hughes]

half mask, if you are spraying for any length of time, comfort is paramount.  Wearing goggles sucks if you get a lot overspray or bounce.  These can be controlled to a point win the gun and the viscosity of the product. 

With a half mask it is easy to drop the mask under your chin to communicate or whatever reason you may need to lose the mask.

 

[tbellemare]

To me, it depends on whether you're painting overhead or on a vertical (or lower horizontal) surface.

If you're painting overhead, you should have your eyes protected. You can potentially be blinded. If you only get a mild coating of a highly atomized version of what you are spraying (like a vertical surface), it can still absorb. Your eyes are thirsty.

I grew up using things like Varsol or gasoline (and even leftover PCB compounds that were previously used as coolant for BIG transformers) as cleaning solvents. We used to clean car/truck parts with these things. I never thought anything of it. I lived about a mile-and-a-half from, what has become, one of the most nasty toxic sites in the country. Nobody knew, but we all kind of knew...

All I can say is, use your own sense for what is happening to you.

Please don't let others convince you to be cavalier about your own health.

"Only you can prevent Forest Fires..."

Tom

 

[clintholeman]

They're your lungs... How long do you want them to last?

I use a full respirator readily available at most hardware stores - along with the canisters.

I use my spray equipment almost every week. 

I would use the respirator if I only used it once a year.

I like my lungs.

 

[K.T.]

Thank you everyone for your responses. I especially enjoyed the enthusiastic responses  ;D

I am going to get a 3m half mask that I will use for painting/staining & dust with the different cartridges. Then I will pick up a full face mask when I start spraying or need to go into a old attic or something.

Thank again for your help.

 

[robtonya]

This is what I wear for almost 8-10 hrs a day. It is a supplied air system though, but if any one wants to know anything more about them, I have been wearing it for over 4 years now, so I can answer just about anything about it.

 

[obdoor]

Full face by 3m with faceshield protectors

 

[K.T.]

Obdoor,

What do you use yours for?

I ended up getting the half mask because I am not spraying quite yet (I did some staining for the first time just today) and I have a separate face shield if I need in the mean time.

Kim