Do i really need to wear a mask?

[ImolaEK]

Well the name of the thread says it. I have been doing models now for a year and a couple of days and i rarely wear a mask. I am currently putting primer on part of a model that i am building right now and i decided to wear the little mask that i have laying around and when i finished putting the 3rd coat of primer i checked my nose and all that came out was black stuff. As if i had not wore a mask at all. Should i buy a bigger mask for this stuff when i am working indoors like right now?

[carlisimo]

You need a canister respirator. Those normal masks are only good for dust-like particles, but paint is smaller than that.

The fact that so much got in your nose should indicate that it's not healthy. I think you're alright if you don't do it often, but if you take it up as a regular hobby, I'd get a respirator...

[ImolaEK]

Originally Posted by carlisimo

You need a canister respirator. Those normal masks are only good for dust-like particles, but paint is smaller than that.

The fact that so much got in your nose should indicate that it's not healthy. I think you're alright if you don't do it often, but if you take it up as a regular hobby, I'd get a respirator...

Yea thats what i was thinking. Would a Spray booth do any good with keeping the paint away from me?

[MidMazar]

spray booth would help but not entirly, i would use a mask just to be on the safe side. Plan on getting one eventually, i figure the more paint you inhale the quicker you might develop health problems. Spraying outside helps.

[008]

An organic filter from a local hardware store is only $20. Make sure it says "organic" and not just "particulate". The ones with a screw-in canister will cost a bit more but for the most part all you need is the disposable one. For casual hobby use it will last a long, long time. Mine only started to look black after I primed my entire 1:1 car while wearing it. Once you use it you'll never go without it. You smell absolutely nothing while wearing it. Heck I even use it when cleaning the litter box. I wish I had one when my kids were still wearing diapers!

[spidereddie]

Hey, I believe I'm as close to a medical professional as any on this forum (please correct me if i'm wrong, no offense to any others unbeknownst).

In regards to the matter found in your nose. It's a good thing and a bad thing. The hairs in your nose are like filters that keep foreign substances from entering your lungs, which are a direct pathway into your bloodstream. If you find 'gunk' it means they're doing their job, but at the same time, it means that their is probably a whole lot more going through and into your lungs, possibly setting the stage for some problems down the road if you keep sucking up paint.

People with repeated exposure to those types of particles are at huge increased risk for developing lung disorders along the lines of insufficiency, cancer, obstructive lung diseases, or even asthma (read....if you want to breath on your own for the rest of your life, and you paint alot..you need to wear a mask).

I posted a little on this topic (somewhat) in another thread.
https://www.automotiveforums.com/vbulletin/showthread.php?p=317013
please read if you have some concerns. Most of the time, when people have a concern about side effects from chemicals, it's for good reason. i.e. because they're around them alot and have more of an understanding of the risks and are in fact at a higher probability to develop the seqaulae from such chemical exposures. So listen to yourself if no one else about being safe.

[boostspike]

you can pick up a good dual cartridge respirator for about $20-30 at a Home Depot... i used to get these sick headaches b4 i got mine...

i even put mine on when using Tamiya glue.. the vapors from the glue seems worst then paint...

[ImolaEK]

Thanks for the information guys. I'll try to pick one up during Thanksgiving break.

[primera man]

I have never bothered to wear a mask.
I just spray in my shed which is nice and large and well vented

[supratuner]

If you spray in a well ventilated room, or outside, dont bother getting a mask. Also, another tip is, right after you spray it, back away from the model if youre scared of the fumes.

But you shouldnt bother going and getting a mask.

[RallyRaider]

Lets put it this way. Is wearing a respirator going to detrimentally affect your health? Not at all. Is NOT wearing one going to give you problems. Possibly, if not likely. Play it safe, wear a mask.

Think of all the money we spend on models, now spend just a fraction of that on yourself! Even you young-uns with out much cash, word up your parents. As a father I know I'd want to make sure my kids are safe. So I'd gladly fork out the money for a top quality respirator and filter.

[11chevy]

hello,
i think that you have to wear a mask,
i made models for two or three years and i work as prototypist(for my studies and it will be my work in few months) and i use resin,paint and other chemical products,
at the beginning i didn't wear mask to use them and for some months i have some health troubles,so even if you don't feel any troubles now i think that it is better to protect your health even if you don't think that it could be necessary
i hope you understand well my english because i'm french,so...
bye,

[exhaust smoke]

Safety first!

I used to not wear masks when spraying my models. I thought that as I'm spraying outside, I would be OK. Not true! I started to get bad headaches from the solvents, so decided to wear generic masks. As you said, I may as well not have bothered. In the end I decided to spend some money and bought myself a double barrel mask with some proper vapour masks. It was well worth the money!! No more headaches and peace of mind. Just have to remember to change the filters when they become clogged.