Economical safety protection for spraying Urethane paints

[FordManiac]

Looking for some ideas on what to buy (and from who) thats the most economical but effective safety suit / supplied air system for spraying toxic paints for the DIY painter. Any thoughts?

thank you
 

[CNKS]

I have a Hobby air (for 10 years) not the cheapest, not the most expensive. Not a lot of difference between makes as far as I'm concerned. Some have cooler air, the Hobby air gets warm, but you will only be using it a few minutes at a time. Do a Google search and pick the one you like. Get one with a hood, not a half face mask. Get extra lens covers for the hood, only takes a few minutes to mess up the lens. Urethane paints require hardener which has isocyanates, which require supplied air. For everthing else I use a charcoal mask and replace the cartriges when necessary. As for the "suit", I use a tyvec jacket mainly to protect my arms.
 

[FordManiac]

Ok so why is the full face mask so much more than the hood? Looks like the hood protects better. Lastly if im painting outside do i still need this system?
Thank you

[CNKS]

The hood is nothing more than a frame covered by tyvec. The face mask is made to fit like a mask, that is tighter and more complex, made to fit. I suppose you could use that instead of the hood, but I have never tried one. Yes you need it outside. You may be exposed to less fumes, but they hang over you in no wind and swirl around you in a light wind, so you still are exposed to them. As a test get a can of oven cleaner, which you simply cannot use without a mask. Put your back to the wind and spray, you will smell the oven cleaner.
 

[GlenIdaho]

I have a Breathe Cool unit with a full face mask. It provides cool air even for long periods. If you wear glasses the mask can be a little uncomfortable. $300 to $400. Thecompany provides good support as well. You can find them on the net. A Tyvec suit works well.
 

[Stephen Newell]

Yes you need the fresh air supplied system even if you spray outside. I painted a tractor in March of this year outside using a standard respirator holding my breath when down wind and still got enough of it through the respirator I'm just now loosing the cough. I will not paint another tractor without the air supplied system.
 

[FordManiac]

Thanks guys as this is exactly what i need. Will look at both and placing my order today. Im definitly not taking any chances.
 

[Rod (NH)]

A half mask is not good enough. It doesn't protect your eyes. Forget those. Get either a full face mask or a hood. Also get a system that utilizes a continuous air flow. I use a full face mask. If you need to wear glasses when spraying, a hood is perhaps the better choice. One thing to remember if you use a full mask and wear a beard: Make sure your air supply is sufficient to maintain a positive pressure inside the mask when you breathe in. You can check this by breathing in deep and rapidly while assuring there is still an outflow of air at the mask exhaust port, using your hand. An air supply should be a minimum of 4 cfm for a full face mask and 6 cfm for a hood and should not come from a lubricated compressor.

I use a dedicated, 1 hp, non-lubricated air compressor to supply air to my mask. I like being able to utilize a regular 3/8" air line to supply the air to the mask. Makes it a little easier to move around than having a larger hose typical of the low pressure blower type systems.

Yes, you still need a fresh air system when spraying outside. You also need to make sure that your source of breathing air is located where there is no possibility of ingesting contaminated air of any kind.
 

[FordManiac]

[GlenIdaho]

Definite on the gloves. I use nitrile for spraying, but when cleaning I use a heavier set designed to resist chemicals. Picked them up at my local auto paint store.
 

[Rod (NH)]

Yes on the gloves. Agree that nitrile is the proper choice.