table top paint booth and respirators

[edl]

hi all - just finished building a small simple table top paint booth - it has 5 sides - bottom is on a table, 2 side and 1 back wall and a top - dimensions are roughly 24deepx28widex19high - on top is a hose that pulls air via a small 2hp squirrel fan and exhausts out - i have read much on here about the need for full maks/body suits/fresh air systems when painting b/c of the skin/eye penetration and deadly nature of the chemicals - my question is if you are painting small parts - say an alternator, or a wheel, and with this booth, what kind of protection would you wear? - thanks, ed

[Len]

hi all - just finished building a small simple table top paint booth - it has 5 sides - bottom is on a table, 2 side and 1 back wall and a top - dimensions are roughly 24deepx28widex19high - on top is a hose that pulls air via a small 2hp squirrel fan and exhausts out - i have read much on here about the need for full maks/body suits/fresh air systems when painting b/c of the skin/eye penetration and deadly nature of the chemicals - my question is if you are painting small parts - say an alternator, or a wheel, and with this booth, what kind of protection would you wear? - thanks, ed

Are you using paint materials that contain hardeners? Materials without hardeners are not as dangerous but you still need decent protection.

Without hardeners I'd say you could get away with a good half or full face cartridge mask, as long as you keep the prefilters clean and you use fresh cartridges.

When using paint with hardeners I'd recommend a supplied air mask probably a hood or full face mask.

If the ventilating system that you're using can keep all or almost all of the fumes and overspray totally away from you then you may be able to get away with a cartridge mask using hardened paint products.

I would think that a good supplied air hood would be ideal for that situation because it's very comfortable and allows you to relax and do a good job. The full and half masks aren't as comfortable and with the hood the hose in in back of you while the others the hose is in front, in the way. :mad:

If you decide on a hood or full face mask be sure to get lens protectors to keep the paint off the lens.

Supplied Air Equip. Link

[Phil V]

A dual charcoal cannister painters mask. A two horse squirrel cage exhaust fan may be TOO much exhaust and it could affect your paint negatively by drying the paint too fast, causing ripples in the paint while it hardens etc etc.

Wear rubber/latex gloves with a long sleeved shirt, a pair of goggles for eye protection along with the painters mask and you should be fine as far as protection goes.

[Len]

I also wear good latex gloves. I don't like the thin ones that fall apart when thinner hits them, I use something like the SAS Thickster Gloves. They come 50 to a box and you can usually wear each glove several times before trashing it. I stopped wearing regular clothes to paint in, it usually screws up the clothes and it can generate dust that screws up the paint. I wear my standard street clothes except for my shoes, I wear an old pair of sneaks that have been painted several times. Over my clothes I slip on a cheap paper paint suit (Krew Suit) that has elastic around the ankles, wrists and waist and a zipper from the crotch to the collar. I keep used suits in a box and wear them several times before they get trashed. I keep the cleanest/newest one for spraying top coats but these things are cheap enough to wear and toss as needed while keeping your cloths clean.

Other Protection Link

Tip: Wearing rubber/latex gloves pull them off by the cuff so they turn inside out and dry out. Before you reuse them hold them by the cuff and blow into them to turn them rightside out. This will keep the clean side in and your hands cleaner.

[edl]

thanks guys...

on the air flow...have a blast gate in place so can damp that down as much as needed ...

so ... 2 votes for 2 filter respirator...1 vote for full fresh air system...guessing you would say it depends on how effective is the paint booth, which of course ... I don't know

either way...thanks guys - ed

[carcrazy]

I am a strong believer in a supplied air system! Why take a chance with your health?

[Len]

thanks guys...

on the air flow...have a blast gate in place so can damp that down as much as needed ...

so ... 2 votes for 2 filter respirator...1 vote for full fresh air system...guessing you would say it depends on how effective is the paint booth, which of course ... I don't know

either way...thanks guys - ed

If you can smell it you need the proper protection.

[joedirt216]

I agree with Len, if you can smell it , you need better protection

[edl]

I agree with Len, if you can smell it , you need better protection

on this smell thing...does that go for all chemicals? - or just paint? - so if i am using thinner or acetone or carb cleaner or whatever and i can smell it through a respirator...that means i am getting hit with all the bad stuff? - is there a scenario (other than particulates) where a chemical can hit me without smelling it? - or do mfg's put in the smell to alert you it is bad? - thanks ed

[carcrazy]

Most people don't take the time to make certain their respirator fits properly. OSHA always required use to test the fit using Banana oil. If you could smeel it you had a problem.

[Len]

on this smell thing...does that go for all chemicals? - or just paint? - so if i am using thinner or acetone or carb cleaner or whatever and i can smell it through a respirator...that means i am getting hit with all the bad stuff? - is there a scenario (other than particulates) where a chemical can hit me without smelling it? - or do mfg's put in the smell to alert you it is bad? - thanks ed

If you can smell it then you're not being protected however all chemicals are not the same. When spraying with hardened paint products you need to protect yourself more diligently than when you spray with non-hardened materials. They are MUCH more dangerous. Solvent are dangerous and you should wear protection but most solvents are nearly as dangerous as the isos found in hardeners.