Results 1 to 7 of 7

Thread: Painting - safety gear, masks

  1. #1
    Admin (Ret'd)
    Join Date
    Jul 2003
    Posts
    18,481
    Thanks
    1,016
    Thanked
    3,208 times in 2,281 posts

    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.

  2. #2
    The late but legendary peterb - Onward and Upward peterb's Avatar
    Join Date
    Aug 2005
    Location
    Looking down & checking on swearing
    Posts
    19,378
    Thanks
    2,892
    Thanked
    3,403 times in 2,693 posts

    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.
    (\__/)
    (='.'=)
    (")_(")

    Been helped or just 'Like' a post? Use the Thanks button!
    My broadband speed - 750 Meganibbles/minute

  3. #3
    Does he need a reason? Funkstar's Avatar
    Join Date
    Aug 2005
    Location
    Aberdeen
    Posts
    19,874
    Thanks
    630
    Thanked
    965 times in 816 posts
    • Funkstar's system
      • Motherboard:
      • Gigabyte EG45M-DS2H
      • CPU:
      • Intel Core2Quad Q9550 (2.83GHz)
      • Memory:
      • 8GB OCZ PC2-6400C5 800MHz Quad Channel
      • Storage:
      • 650GB Western Digital Caviar Blue
      • Graphics card(s):
      • 512MB ATI Radeon HD4550
      • PSU:
      • Antec 350W 80+ Efficient PSU
      • Case:
      • Antec NSK1480 Slim Mini Desktop Case
      • Operating System:
      • Vista Ultimate 64bit
      • Monitor(s):
      • Dell 2407 + 2408 monitors
      • Internet:
      • Zen 8mb

    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.

  4. #4
    The late but legendary peterb - Onward and Upward peterb's Avatar
    Join Date
    Aug 2005
    Location
    Looking down & checking on swearing
    Posts
    19,378
    Thanks
    2,892
    Thanked
    3,403 times in 2,693 posts

    Re: Painting - safety gear, masks

    Quote Originally Posted by Funkstar View Post
    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
    (\__/)
    (='.'=)
    (")_(")

    Been helped or just 'Like' a post? Use the Thanks button!
    My broadband speed - 750 Meganibbles/minute

  5. #5
    Does he need a reason? Funkstar's Avatar
    Join Date
    Aug 2005
    Location
    Aberdeen
    Posts
    19,874
    Thanks
    630
    Thanked
    965 times in 816 posts
    • Funkstar's system
      • Motherboard:
      • Gigabyte EG45M-DS2H
      • CPU:
      • Intel Core2Quad Q9550 (2.83GHz)
      • Memory:
      • 8GB OCZ PC2-6400C5 800MHz Quad Channel
      • Storage:
      • 650GB Western Digital Caviar Blue
      • Graphics card(s):
      • 512MB ATI Radeon HD4550
      • PSU:
      • Antec 350W 80+ Efficient PSU
      • Case:
      • Antec NSK1480 Slim Mini Desktop Case
      • Operating System:
      • Vista Ultimate 64bit
      • Monitor(s):
      • Dell 2407 + 2408 monitors
      • Internet:
      • Zen 8mb

    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.

  6. #6
    Admin (Ret'd)
    Join Date
    Jul 2003
    Posts
    18,481
    Thanks
    1,016
    Thanked
    3,208 times in 2,281 posts

    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.

  7. #7
    The late but legendary peterb - Onward and Upward peterb's Avatar
    Join Date
    Aug 2005
    Location
    Looking down & checking on swearing
    Posts
    19,378
    Thanks
    2,892
    Thanked
    3,403 times in 2,693 posts

    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.
    (\__/)
    (='.'=)
    (")_(")

    Been helped or just 'Like' a post? Use the Thanks button!
    My broadband speed - 750 Meganibbles/minute

Thread Information

Users Browsing this Thread

There are currently 1 users browsing this thread. (0 members and 1 guests)

Posting Permissions

  • You may not post new threads
  • You may not post replies
  • You may not post attachments
  • You may not edit your posts
  •