protection

[70bee]

ok, I read nessal's post and although I have yet to spray anything I want to be safe but not go broke. I do have a mask with charcoal cartridges, and plenty of goggles, latex gloves etc....is this enough for spraying etch primer, urethane base/clear? But in the end, if I have to spend more and have the risks be low then I'd be for it.

[Len]

If you are spraying etch primer you can get away with the charcoal canister mask because it contains no isos. If you are spraying paint with isos (like your bc/cc) in a good downdraft spray booth or outdoors then you can use a canister mask as long as the overspray is not handing in the air. However if you are spraying like most of us, in a vented shop where the overspray hangs in the air for a while before it's vented you should wear a "supplied air" breathing system to protect you.

Canister masks work to some degree but they need to fit properly and they can start to leak as the prefilters start to get coated with overspray. Since the isos are so dangerous it usually pays to purchase a breathing system and then maybe sell it when you're finished with it. If you use it to do only one or two cars you can probably get at least half of what you paid for it.

[70bee]

is the one you have advertised a budget system?

[Len]

I'm not sure I know what you mean by "budget system" but they are fairly inexpensive when you consider what these same types of systems cost a few years ago. The Hobbyair 1 starts at $359 with a half mask. When you consider the resale value (if you want to sell it when you're done spraying) it's not that much more expensive than using a good canister mask and keeping the cartridges fresh. Prices will increase sometime after the first of the year, I haven't gotten the new prices or when they will change.


http://autobodystore.net/Merchant2/graphics/00000001/HB01.jpg
Hobbyair Link (http://autobodystore.net/Merchant2/merchant.mvc?Screen=CTGY&Category_Code=HP)

[70bee]

alright, what would you recommend? half or full mask?

[Len]

Personally I like the "direct feed hood" because it's comfortable over long periods of time, has good visibility and runs the hose down your back rather than in front. The half and full masks offer less protection because they leave parts of your head exposed, the incoming air hits you in the nose and the hose is more in the way because it's in front of you. When ordering a system with a hood be sure to get lens protectors to help keep the lens clean, one spraying session without lens protection and you could be buying a new hood ($36) but with lens protectors you can use the same hood for many jobs. One more good thing about the hood is that you can wear glasses or facial hair and still have good protection.

[70bee]

thanks, I'll probably place a order in the next week or so.