hobby air: hood vs. mask

[jmac2112]

Hi, I'm interested in the Hobbyair system, but don't know whether to go with the hood, the half mask, or the full mask. What are the pros and cons of each?

Thanks,

John McMahon
Front Royal, VA

[Blaze9t8]

My thoughts are if you have a beard, full hood.
Wear glasses, full hood or full mask.
I have both, beard and glasses so I use the full hood.

[Len]

If you are spraying paint you usually need more than a half mask because you need your face, eyes, hair to be protected. A full mask with a spray sock will do it but there are other considerations.

The half and full masks tend to get uncomfortable when worn for long periods because of the rubber against your skin and air hitting you in the nose. On both the half and full face masks the hose in in front of you and can get in the way while on the hood it's behind you.

I have all three types of mask here but rarely use anything but the hood but I also have a beard and wear glasses.

You can use the "hood over half mask" which protects you like the "direct feed hood" but you still have the air in the face and hose in front of you.

In other situations the half mask is good when you're in a toxic environment but your eyes can be exposed in order to give you the best possible visibility. The full face mask is good when you need protection but you are climbing under or around things and the mask needs to be held tight to your face.

[jmac2112]

Thanks, that's very helpful!

John

[barthmonster]

Are there any safety issues at all with the full hood? I mean if your kid unplugs the compressor or there is a power outage, can you get it off in a couple of seconds?? I used to do Nuclear work in an air-fed hood, which are similar. Sometimes if people lose air, they suffocate while trying to get the thing off...

[Len]

Are there any safety issues at all with the full hood? I mean if your kid unplugs the compressor or there is a power outage, can you get it off in a couple of seconds?? I used to do Nuclear work in an air-fed hood, which are similar. Sometimes if people lose air, that suffocate while trying to get the thing off...

It's almost like wearing a paper bag on your head, it can come off instantly. When I'm in the middle of a paint job and need to leave the room I usually unplug the mask from the feeder hose and walk out of the room with the hood on then remove it when I reach clean air. It just pulls right off.


http://autobodystore.net/Merchant2/graphics/00000001/H13011.jpg

[Scotty]

I've used the half mask that came with mine and quickly went to a full mask which I really, really like. The air doesn't bother me and in fact, keeps me cool. It comes on and off easy between coats and just hangs around my neck by the strap when I'm waiting. I don't really like the hose in the front though but have gotten used to it. I haven't tried a full hood.

[brucebotti]

I like the hood. It takes a little getting used to since I wear glasses. You also have to be careful when you bend down and try to paint inside a wheel well as your head is now twice as large. When I go to leave the booth, I take a deep breath, unplug the air, and walk out. Once I'm outside I remove the hood. I've tripped a breaker a few times, but there is enough air inside the hood to give you a breath or two.
Bruce