Painting - safety gear, masks
I don't think this has been asked before.
Any of you guys (or gals) got any experience of painting PPE?
I'm looking to be doing quite a lot of painting in the near future, so I 'm after recommendations for good quality breathing protection.
This is just domestic stuff, so no special chemicals, etc. Just mainly household paints. Oh, and some wood preservative in the garden, and a couple of small celllose jobs. Some will be conventional brush and/or roller, but I'll also be spraying.
In the past, I've done small jobs using disposable masks, but never found them comfortable. This yime, I'm looking at a decent, half-mask that is both safe AND comfortable. No full air systems at a grand please, but £30-50 is okay, preferably replaceable filters.
Anyone got any ideas, and personal recommendations?
Thanks.
Re: Painting - safety gear, masks
I think this did come up in another post - and I found some good stuff at Screwfix - something like this perhaps
http://www.screwfix.com/p/jsp-trades...ask-a1p2/14194
or this
http://www.screwfix.com/p/jsp-force-...-filters/22485
Full face
http://www.screwfix.com/p/jsp-force-...-filters/39801
These are the filters for the force 8 and force 10 half and full mask
http://www.screwfix.com/p/jsp-paint-...ails_container
which protect against organic solvents.
Not used these myself, but they do have EN and CE certification. I would think the half mask would be the most suitable, less restrictive and cooler than the full face mask.
Re: Painting - safety gear, masks
I would highly recommend the 3M organic vapour masks.
Like this, but there are several models depending on the particular set of chemicals you are using.
http://www.screwfix.com/p/3m-4251-ma...rator-p2/13038
We use them at work for working with Iso Propyl Alcohol, Epoxy resins (of various types), polyurethanes, etc.
Comfortable and easily adjusted.
Re: Painting - safety gear, masks
Quote:
Originally Posted by
Funkstar
I would
highly recommend the 3M organic vapour masks.
Like this, but there are several models depending on the particular set of chemicals you are using.
http://www.screwfix.com/p/3m-4251-ma...rator-p2/13038
We use them at work for working with Iso Propyl Alcohol, Epoxy resins (of various types), polyurethanes, etc.
Comfortable and easily adjusted.
Are they disposable, or do the have replaceable filters?
Another one to consider is the Drager range http://www.screwfix.com/search?search=Drager
Re: Painting - safety gear, masks
They are disposable. And yes, I know Saracen would prefer ones with replaceable filters, but these are the only ones I've used extensively and seem to be a bit of an industry standard when it comes to working with chemicals offshore. They are good.
Re: Painting - safety gear, masks
I would prefer replaceable filters BUT it's kinda dependent on economics. In other words, the cost if the mask, then the cost of the filters, compared to just replacing one like that 3M Funkstar recommended.
Bearing in mind that it's essentially for domestic DIY use, it may be that non-replaceable makes more sense.
What does worry me a bit for a £20 mask, though, is how long that mask lasts (maintaining effectivensss, obviously) if not used for a while. What I mean is I don't mind a mask that works for x hours of use, but that could be over a few days or a few months, but a "28 day" type where filters degrade rapidly over time, even if not used, is a lot less use.
So, if I use it for an hour, then put it away and come back in 6 weeks, am I going to need a new one?
Oh, and it's not chemicals that worry me. I do have, and use, isopropyl alcohol, but only for very brief periods, very occasionally, and outside. And by brief periods, I mean a couple of minutes, 5 tops, every few months.
And while, yeah, some paints give off fumes, it's more about particulates, paint mist, even mdf dust, dust when angle grinding, etc, I'm after avoiding. I don't do very much of anything, but what I'm after is a mask that's good, comfortable to wear, doesn't must up my glasses and most importantly, gives minimal breathing obstruction. And, in that context, if it's non-replaceable, it has to be that it's hours of use that mean it needs replacing, not just elapsed time when not used, like some charcoal filters.
Re: Painting - safety gear, masks
The masks with replaceable filters do allow a choice of filters so you can use the same mask for different jobs. A simple filter should not deteriorate in storage - it is only in effective use while contaminated air is being forced through it - by breathing. An active filter (which reacts with chemicals passing through it - typically activated charcoal0 may degrade in storage as it may absorb contaminants that are just present in the air. You can mitigate against that by storing them in an airtight container.
However if it is only particulates you are bothered about, that isn't an issue.
Bearing in mind that all the filters listed have EN and CE certification, the most important variable is fit and comfort - and that comes down to the shape of your face and how adjustable each one is - and trial error.