AusVarmint

Do any of the Gurus here have any idea about respirators and filter ratings?

I currently use a Protector Half Mask with a P2 filter when sanding - which is all good, no more sawdust snot.

Of late I have been doing a little bit of airbrushing, mostly artists acrylic and house paint acrylic (don't ask, it's a long anally retentive story).

While the P2 helps (no multi-coloured snot) I am not convinced it is the right filter and the doco I've found is either poorly written and confusing or contradictory.

Any ideas whether P2 is right or if I need one of the P2/Axx combinations?

Australian made Protector RC80AR filters are a Class A-Aus/P2 combination filter providing protection against dusts, mists, organic gases and vapours, fumes and odours.


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My understanding i that P1 is just a dust filter and P2 is dust and has some carbon in it to absorb volatile organic compounds. But they will absorb stuff even sitting on the bench so I would buy a new one and when you aren't using it keep it in an air tight container. Alternatively you could build a small extraction hood using a bathroom or kitchen exhaust fan and some ducting to send the fumes outside etc

Try asking your local panel beater.

have a look on mr google
he knows everything

You can get ones that filter out certain gasses etc. I've got a good one. Will look at it tomorrow and take pics of you like?

Camel wrote: ↑Tue Sep 12, 2017 6:31 pm Try asking your local panel beater.

I'm lazy. I was hoping someone here could just tell me

LoneRider wrote: ↑Tue Sep 12, 2017 6:38 pm have a look on mr google
he knows everything

I did ask Mr Google - but that was confusing and contradictory.

bimbo wrote: ↑Tue Sep 12, 2017 6:20 pm My understanding i that P1 is just a dust filter and P2 is dust and has some carbon in it to absorb volatile organic compounds. But they will absorb stuff even sitting on the bench so I would buy a new one and when you aren't using it keep it in an air tight container. Alternatively you could build a small extraction hood using a bathroom or kitchen exhaust fan and some ducting to send the fumes outside etc

That is what I have found, I guess the issue comes down to if the acrylic paint has substances other than what the P2 catches.

Dunderi wrote: ↑Tue Sep 12, 2017 6:55 pm You can get ones that filter out certain gasses etc. I've got a good one. Will look at it tomorrow and take pics of you like?

The mask I have is fine (if uncomfortable), I am in need of filter type info.

kickinback wrote: ↑Tue Sep 12, 2017 6:00 pm Australian made Protector RC80AR filters are a Class A-Aus/P2 combination filter providing protection against dusts, mists, organic gases and vapours, fumes and odours.

These are the very ones I am considering - the thing is they are far more expensive and require airtight storage due to the activated carbon, so I was hoping the P2's were good enough!

I cant be bothered keeping multiple filters so I just run a1b1e1k1p3 as I do a lot of 2k clear on stocks and fibreglassing. the filters are about $33 a pair and i generally change them every 6-8 weeks.

a1b1e1k1p3? Crickey.

Does ANY air get through that lot?

Rabbitz wrote: ↑Wed Sep 13, 2017 4:43 am a1b1e1k1p3? Crickey.

Does ANY air get through that lot?

Yeah just enough so you don't pass out

So to round this off in case anyone in the future is looking, I ended up getting Protector RC80AR filters.

These are a Class A-Aus/P2 and are suitable for spraying acrylic paints as well as dusts, mists, organic gases and vapours, fumes and odours.

Rabbitz wrote: ↑Sun Sep 17, 2017 5:38 pm So to round this off in case anyone in the future is looking, I ended up getting Protector RC80AR filters.

These are a Class A-Aus/P2 and are suitable for spraying acrylic paints as well as dusts, mists, organic gases and vapours, fumes and odours.

I have the smaller RC56AR (believing the number to represent diameter). Used them when airbrushing years ago with acrylic, enamels, lacquers.