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What sort of respirator/filter will I need for applying toxic finishes?
I have the Northern Safety Co. catalog in front of me and its a little overwhelming.
-j.j.Brown39050.542974537

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“If God dwells inside us like some people say, I sure hope He likes enchiladas, because that's what He's getting”
-jack handy

How toxic? If you are spraying nitro, a charcoal type filter will protect your lungs, although you will be absorbing solvents through your skin to a small degree. If you are spraying a catalyzed finish, you need a supplied air respirator that pushes fresh air through a helmet/visor and a whole body suit. If you are spraying catalyzed finishes, I pray for your neighbors sake that you are in an industrial area, not your garage.

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Stay with the happy people.
--Reynolds Large

J. Contact your finish distributer and ask them to get you the Material Safety Data Sheet (MSDS) for the product you are using. On that sheet it will describe the hazards associated with the product and the precautions required to protect yourself, including what filters would be required for your respirator. If buying a new respirator, don't do it through a catelogue. These things need to be fit tested to you. If they leak, they are useless. You will need to be clean shaven to get the required seal on your face. Otherwise, it will be air supplied as Tom has suggested (does it show that I am in Occupational Health and Safety as a day job!).

Good luck in your choice.

Shane

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Canada

you want a filter canister which will handle volatile organic compounds, voc's in common parlance.

when spraying nitro i also wear a tyvek coverall suit and nitrile gloves. i don't want it on me or in me.crazymanmichael39050.697650463

Shane is right. Make sure you get your respirator fit tested and learn how to do a positive and negative fit test each time you use it to insure everything is working properly. If you get one with a standard charcoal cartridge store it in a clean, zipped plastic bag. It will passively absorb chemicals and shorten its life span. My two cents from retired Occ Health guy.
Bob

Another bit of advise is to date your cartridges. As Bob said, once open and exposed to the air they are working. You should replace your cartridge eery 6 months or when yuo get the faintest order passing through your respirator.

Shane

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Canada

Thanks, guys.

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“If God dwells inside us like some people say, I sure hope He likes enchiladas, because that's what He's getting”
-jack handy

Nitro sounds pretty interesting. How about a 1 line discription?