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... what sort do I need?

I've just bought an airbrush and compressor. I'm very pleased with it and am looking forward to seeing exactly what I can do with it, but... after testing it and subsequent cleaning with Vallejo airbrush thinner, the escaping vapours were quite something, leaving me short of breath and feeling like I was gonna DIE... obviously this is a Bad Thing, especially if you're asthmatic like me, so I was wondering what grade of face mask or respirator should I use to protect myself in future?

Before anyone says, I don't have the resources or the need for a ventilated spray booth, I have a safe workspace and I just need a mask to protect myself...

where you in a closet?..... I ask because i used a airbrush alot and havr no idea what you mean. just go to a big room or outside and ur fine. btw you arn't dieing because of some fumes getting high maybe.

You'll need something that protects against at least vapour/fumes. In Australia, it's rated as a P2 filter.

There's a bit of a discussion here: http://www.mainlymedieval.com/ozpainters/viewtopic.php?f=13&t=5099.

I work in an enclosed space, too, and found that after airbrushing and cleaning it with airbrush cleaner, I experienced respiratory distress up to a week . The originator of the post above, Mark Soley, found himself hawking purple loogies as well.

For us, having the filter has been highly beneficial. It may be of some benefit to you, as well.

OgreChubbs wrote:
where you in a closet?..... I ask because i used a airbrush alot and havr no idea what you mean. just go to a big room or outside and ur fine. btw you arn't dieing because of some fumes getting high maybe.

I was spraying into a large cardboard box turned on its side, on the counter in my kitchen. After about 20 minutes the vapours were overpowering, and my cats weren't too happy either - their litter tray was under the counter...

gohkm wrote:
You'll need something that protects against at least vapour/fumes. In Australia, it's rated as a P2 filter.

There's a bit of a discussion here: http://www.mainlymedieval.com/ozpainters/viewtopic.php?f=13&t=5099.

I work in an enclosed space, too, and found that after airbrushing and cleaning it with airbrush cleaner, I experienced respiratory distress up to a week . The originator of the post above, Mark Soley, found himself hawking purple loogies as well.

For us, having the filter has been highly beneficial. It may be of some benefit to you, as well.

In the UK also, masks are rated P1 to P3 (or FFP1 to FFP3, depending on the European standard for the type of mask tested). I'm thinking that a simple dust mask wouldn't be effective enough so I should look for a respirator rated P2 or greater.

Next question: can anyone recommend a specific model of respie?

I think it was more likely the oily residue from machining and casting of the actual compressor parts itself rather than the paints.

I have two compressors and both gave off that new car smell but worse for the first little bit but then it went away. It was like when you start up an electric heater that has not been turned on for some time and it burns off the dust etc.

I sit a desk and use vallejo primer and thinner and there is barely any odor. I have asthma and I am sensitive to any with an acrid smell but I have no problems. If I am spraying for an extended period, I wear a 3M 6000 respirator.

I would say that as long as the respirator is comfortable to wear, and is at least P2 rated, you're golden. I picked up a Scott Safety mask from Bunnings, the Australian local hardward store, and it works quite well. It's just a tad uncomfortable to wear, and presses on my nose bridge a bit.

Mark uses a 3M one.

Pick one you like. Just make sure it's certified by a good authority.

A respirator with appropriate pads is one way to go, but there is other airbrush specific gear that goes a long way of making the whole thing less messy.

I did get a nice spray booth, bought surplus from a airbrush school, so I got nice bang for the buck. It's not a cheapo ebay/amazon thing. This replaces the coardboard box, runs on mains power and sucks all overspray through its preliminary and then its carbon filters. Nothing but air comes out on the rear. The filters do have to be replaced after a while.

Also a spray out jar is highly recommended. I put that in the corner of the spraybooth so that cleaner fumes are sucked directly into the filter.

I spray in a decent size room but after an extended period of time spraying you will start to choke lol. I use this exact respirator and it works great. Its comfortable and easy to put on and take off. The size adjustment is a breeze and breathing through it is relatively easy. I love it because it really stops any smell from coming through... I mean anything. Not a bad price either, give it a try

http://www.amazon.com/3M-Paint-Project-Respirator-Medium/dp/B00004Z4EB/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1394351409&sr=8-1&keywords=3m+paint+respirator

Build your self an extractor booth out of a plastic toy box/ storage box and fit 1 or 2 bathroom extractor fans to it. I then connected a tumble dryer hose to mine then have it going out the window.
It sounds like all the particles are spraying back at you if your just spraying into a box which won't be helping your asthma

I can't speak to models, but the filters you need are P3 particulate filters. There are reasonably priced half face respirators on amazon at around 30 -40 quid with P3's.

Go to B&Q or Wickes & them?

I use one of what they call the mdf masks with some different filters bit its quite bulky and uncomfortable. I only tend to wear it for an hour or so at a time for using aerosol cans and sanding.

If I had more use for one and was using an airbrush more frequently I'd go for one of these...
http://www.screwfix.com/p/3m-4251-maintenance-free-organic-vapour-particulate-respirator-p2/13038
At £20 it's worth a shot.

Thanks for all the advice, guys!

 soitra wrote:
Build your self an extractor booth out of a plastic toy box/ storage box and fit 1 or 2 bathroom extractor fans to it. I then connected a tumble dryer hose to mine then have it going out the window.
It sounds like all the particles are spraying back at you if your just spraying into a box which won't be helping your asthma

Not a bad idea. I'll have to give this some serious thought. I can put together a spray-out jar as well.

 Alex Kolodotschko wrote:
I use one of what they call the mdf masks with some different filters bit its quite bulky and uncomfortable. I only tend to wear it for an hour or so at a time for using aerosol cans and sanding.

If I had more use for one and was using an airbrush more frequently I'd go for one of these...
http://www.screwfix.com/p/3m-4251-maintenance-free-organic-vapour-particulate-respirator-p2/13038
At £20 it's worth a shot.

Screwfix are my 'go-to' people for tools and fixtures so I'll be dropping a few quid their way, I think.

Good stuff, I hope it helps. I know that mine does when I remember to wear it.
Definitely worth £20 to not have a week's worth of chest infection after a day of spraying.
Let us know how you get on.

Quick update: I had a short paint session without a respirator, where I used a lot less thinner for cleaning, and a bottle vapour trap when I did. I was still short of breath and felt tight across my chest, but not as bad as I had before. I now blame the Vallejo thinners for this.

Anyway, last week I was in B&Q buying a new router and I happened to pass the PPE aisle, and I got myself one of these (that's NOT me in the pic by the way!!) :



http://www.diy.com/nav/fix/protective-clothing-workwear/respiratory-protection/28-Day-Disposable-Respirator-12728618

It's not the nicest or best-fitting in the world but it was only £15 and I claimed the cost back on expenses anyway, since I was fitting a kitchen for my neighbour and he's pretty generous.

One spray session (wearing the mask) last week and I feel absolutely fine. Works when cutting MDF too.