Respirator Education

[EngineerDoug]

Hey folks,

I am going through the planning stages of a paint job and it occurs to me that I am ignorant on some key points of respirators. Here is what I plan to spray:

1) Epoxy primer
2) Polyester primer
3) Single stage acrylic urethane

I would like to use a simple facemask type respirator, but am having trouble discerning what I need from reading the tech sheets on the various primers & paints. There is a lot of tech jargon and alphabet soup, but I know there is some nasty stuff that I must protect against.

Can anybody give me a short, down to brass tacks primer on what to use for protection? Or perhaps steer me to a site or document that boils it down?

Thanks a lot!

 

[mmissile]

Outside-source, full-face, forced-air respirators are the only truly safe setups. Gloves for mixing, and a full lint-free suit are ideal.

 

[PurpleBeeper]

Outside-source, full-face, forced-air respirators are the only truly safe setups. Gloves for mixing, and a full lint-free suit are ideal.

mmisile is correct. As a much more dangerous option (e.g. various types of cancer, babies with 3 arms, etc.) you'd be looking for "organic vapor" cartridges.

 

[Speedbird]

There's a guy around me that's painting cars all the time in an attached one car garage.
I can only imagine.....

Yea, what they said above to eliminate all risk.
But I don't have that option.
So, I do the next best thing.
I've found that by spraying outside under an "awning", that I can eliminate a lot of the mist while I work.
I don't have a draft booth.
Good atomization is one of the key things for me.
And good light.

Do a fit check. Cover the outlet and check for pressure.
No facial hair.
Get this organic cartridge online. Lowes/Depot may have a combination organic vapor/acid gas cartridge. (Yellow is acid gas)
Waste for you, I think.
I like to use a pink HEPA prefilter.

Or this with the adapter on top of the charcoal filter.
(They actually make a "nuance odor" level version of this pancake with charcoal.
Not what you want).

 

[Speedbird]

P.S.
If you are an "engineer" don't feel bad.
The HEPA filters I've posted are approved for asbestos and lead fumes.
So I ASSUMED they were approved for silica dust.
Not.
Now, it all has to do with particle size and exposure level, I know.
I'm brain dead with MSDS training from work.
But when I looked at the tech sheets from 3M I could not understand it.
I showed them to our mechanical engineer and he couldn't understand the legalize either.
So it's not just me.
It seems that 3M won't "approve" anything except supplied air for silica dust.
Smart.
After MUCH research online I did find the permissible levels for non-supplied respirators for silica.
It's out there. But too dangerous to risk, really.

 

[mmissile]

I have early stages of COPD from painting cars. Good luck.

 

[Speedbird]

Any other possible causes? We get exposed to lots of things in life by "our" age.
And we can become "sensitized" to chemicals.
I think I have the world's most sensitive (human) nose.
Some must be genetic. I can smell stuff really good.
Biological odors can gag me really quick.
But I can't take perfumes either.

 

[1967coronet]

mmissle's post is spot on..


and if you cant do the fresh air route.
At the very least you will want a full face mask like the 6000 series 3M they are around $120 and worth every penny, get a couple extra cartridges and a package of the clear film tear offs.
when not in use keep your cartridges sealed up in a zip lock bag or the carbon will go bad.

 

[WileE]

Years ago, there was little regard for harmful toxins. Been in the business a long time, these guys are spot-on. No shortcuts when it comes to your health.

 

[wantahemi]

As a contractor, my team and I are required to be medically certified to wear a respirator. I highly recommend you go to your local hospital or occupational health center and ask them to medically certify you for respirator use. They can verify that you are fit test properly and can actually breathe and perform the job you are trying to do. It cost me $60 per guy and they specifically tell you what cartridge to use, what respirator and style. Example 3M 6300 Full face.

Ask anyone who has done anything with spraying, pesticides, mold, paint etc if they would do it differently And I think most would. It's a walk in thing and takes 45 min to an hour. Plus at the end of the day, you are doing a job right and preserving those lungs so you can be around as long as possible to admire that paint job!

If you have facial hair, it needs to go to get a seal!