Respirators

[suds]

Just about whacked myself out today applying Penofin on my deck today so it's time to invest in a good respirator. Any suggestions?  Big box stores a good source or are they junk?

 

[AlexThePalex]

3M is always a good brand to rely on for safety gear like respirators.

 

[Stone Message]

I have reviewed two and both are excellent but in completely different price brackets...

The Trend Airshield Pro is a great respirator in the sub £300 bracket. Here is the video review:



The 3M Versaflow is the "Rolls Royce" but in the next price bracket up. Here is the link:



It is not fair to compare the two as they are so different in price. I think that it is fair to say that you get what you pay for but if you can only afford the Trend then you will have the best that you can afford.

Bear in mind that respirators will protect you from particulates like dust but not necessarily vapours and certainly not gases. Do check with the manufacturer that you can be protected from the hazard that you face.

Peter

 

[AlexThePalex]

Bear in mind that respirators will protect you from particulates like dust but not necessarily vapours and certainly not gases.

Peter, respirators that have carbon filters are designed specifically for fumes and gases and are complete overkill if you only want to protect against dust.

You also don't need to have any of those two fully enclosed systems you have tested above. Those are meant for professional spray painters who work in a spray booth for 8 hours a day. Or other people working with chemicals.

For occasional use like painting a mask that only encloses your nose and mouth is good enough. I have one by 3M similar like this one which costs 35 euros. It works great and you don't smell anything besides the plastic of the mask itself.

[attachthumb=1]

 

[mastercabman]

Bear in mind that respirators will protect you from particulates like dust but not necessarily vapours and certainly not gases.

Peter, respirators that have carbon filters are designed specifically for fumes and gases and are complete overkill if you only want to protect against dust.

You also don't need to have any of those two fully enclosed systems you have tested above. Those are meant for professional spray painters who work in a spray booth for 8 hours a day. Or other people working with chemicals.

For occasional use like painting a mask that only encloses your nose and mouth is good enough. I have one by 3M similar like this one which costs 35 euros. It works great and you don't smell anything besides the plastic of the mask itself.

[attachthumb=1]

Those masks are good enough for spraying
But technically here in USA OSHA does not require wearing a mask in a spray booth if it has good cfm exhaust

 

[mouppe]

Just about whacked myself out today applying Penofin on my deck today so it's time to invest in a good respirator. Any suggestions?  Big box stores a good source or are they junk?

I've been using standard N95 respirators made by McCordick and sold by Home Depot for several years now. I make it a habit to replace the filters every year or so, and the mask itself when the rubber starts to break down after about 5 years. They do the job very well. I see a lot of people on youtube etc. using the asbestos rated pink filters but I stick with the regular white ones.

I also use the respirator as a dust mask- even though it is overkill-as I dislike the regular dust masks. I use my mask when painting, airbrushing, using a router and sanding.

You'll be fine with the HD respirator.

 

[Sparktrician]

I rather like the 3M Tekk respirators, both for spraying as well as really dusty jobs. 

 

[Jesse Cloud]

Good advice above and I would like to emphasize Alex's point about smelling.  If you can smell it, then you are breathing it.

In addition to the effectiveness of the filters, a good fit is crucial.  Some masks fit particular faces better than others. 

I was lucky enough to be fitted for a respirator by a plutonium chemist from Los Alamos.  He spent about 15 minutes fiddling with the fit and I used a magic marker to mark all the strap adjustments so I could replicate what he came up with.

 

[Stone Message]

Good advice above and I would like to emphasize Alex's point about smelling.  If you can smell it, then you are breathing it.

In addition to the effectiveness of the filters, a good fit is crucial.  Some masks fit particular faces better than others. 

I was lucky enough to be fitted for a respirator by a plutonium chemist from Los Alamos.  He spent about 15 minutes fiddling with the fit and I used a magic marker to mark all the strap adjustments so I could replicate what he came up with.

Yes, I have heard glowing reports about this guy !

Peter

 

[sae]

I've used a few of the 3M masks, the 7500 is a good buy over the lesser models if you're wearing it for more than an hour at a time. For ~$25, well worth the investment.

http://www.amazon.com/3M-Facepiece-Respirator-Respiratory-Protection/dp/B00AR63G12/

The organic vapor/multi-gas cartridges are expensive, but they work really well for paint. For dust, P95 breathes a whole lot easier than P100, although they just released some high flow P100 filters that I have yet to try.

http://www.amazon.com/3M-Cartridge-Filter-Respiratory-Protection/dp/B009POHLRC/
http://www.amazon.com/3M-2097-Particulate-Filter-Organic/dp/B00328IAO0
http://www.amazon.com/3M-Advanced-Particulate-Respiratory-Protection/dp/B009POHG2M/

I have the fullface UltimateFX mask too, but it gets pretty hot in there.

 

[epicxt]

Yes, I have heard glowing reports about this guy !

Peter

Brilliant!

 

[wow]

Yes, I have heard glowing reports about this guy !

Peter

Brilliant!

I TOTALLY missed that. DOH!

 

[semenza]

I have a 3M twin half face respirator. I need to get new filters. Anyone know if the round can shape is still available? Will the newer oblong shape fit the old masks?

Seth

 

[sae]

Seth, not sure how old your mask is, but the bayonet system has been the same since I started painting 10 years ago.

Here's what the mount on the current ones looks like:

And the cartridges are like:

I'm guessing they'll fit, the oblong shape sits off the mask a little more, and creates more filter area without hurting visibility.

 

[semenza]

Hmmmm, looks like I may be getting a new mask. Pretty sure the filters screw onto the mask I have.

Seth

 

[sae]

Probably worth your money, how old is your current mask? Who knows what might be growing in it.  [eek]

 

[PreferrablyWood]

Just a note to heavy users of masks, it's a good idea to limit your time to under 4 hours per day, and take a 5 or 10 minute break every 25minutes otherwise you get drowned in you own vapour/humidity it builds up in the lungs. Using a mask also cuts down your lungs efficiency by about 15%.

If anyone has better info on this please help me out here..

 

[gkaiseril]

Not should one use a respirator but also have the respirator properly configured for the task at hand. There are specific filters for dust and many for OVC (Organic Volatile Compounds), gases, acids.

Cartidge Selector

The N95 is for particular matter, dust.

OV is for organic vapors.

AG is for acid gases.

AM is for ammonia.

FM is for formaldehyde.

HG is for mercury.

I would be looking at the OV series for the 3M filters.

The danger for the volatile compounds is not only fainting but also the damage the chemicals can cause to various organs. Some can cause brain damage, lung damage, or liver damage.

 

[sae]

I use 2097s, which are P100 but also absorb nuisance level OV.  I've painted cars with it and it works pretty well. I do have the full OV/P100 cartridge too, but they're pricey.

3M released an easier breathing version called the 2297, I have yet to try it out, but any easier breathing would be welcome.

 

[semenza]

Not should one use a respirator but also have the respirator properly configured for the task at hand. There are specific filters for dust and many for OVC (Organic Volatile Compounds), gases, acids.

Cartidge Selector

The N95 is for particular matter, dust.

OV is for organic vapors.

AG is for acid gases.

AM is for ammonia.

FM is for formaldehyde.

HG is for mercury.

I would be looking at the OV series for the 3M filters.

The danger for the volatile compounds is not only fainting but also the damage the chemicals can cause to various organs. Some can cause brain damage, lung damage, or liver damage.

  In relation to the filter types listed........ which ones for lacquer and polyurethane?

Seth