slappy Posted July 7, 2007 Report Share Posted July 7, 2007 What do you do for a respirator if you have a beard? I tried using one, but you can't get the recommended seal around your mouth because of the hair. Are there pro-beard respirators or do the respirator companies hate bearded America? I don't want the lacquer to kill me just because I have a beard and the respirator won't function properly. Thanks. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mattia Posted July 7, 2007 Report Share Posted July 7, 2007 Full head respirator helmets/positive pressure systems. Not cheap, though. There's simply no other feasible way to get a good seal over any hair growth that's much more than stubble.. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pmarlin Posted July 7, 2007 Report Share Posted July 7, 2007 Yeah at work a long time ago we were getting fitted for respirators and they brought a can of shaving cream and bag of disposable razors. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
slappy Posted July 7, 2007 Author Report Share Posted July 7, 2007 wow. Thats unfortunate. I guess I'll have to consider the options. Thanks. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bentwood999 Posted July 7, 2007 Report Share Posted July 7, 2007 Get that razor out and start cutting LOL (sarcasm) on another note ever get a hair in your finish(same) as what mattia said. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Southpa Posted July 7, 2007 Report Share Posted July 7, 2007 (edited) I used to work with a guy who painted ships at one time. Of course they used full face respirators and the paint they were shooting was deadly to breathe. In order to get a good seal around his mask he would spread vaseline on his face. forehead etc. where the mask made contact. Having a beard you are SOL unless you put enough vaseline to fill the gaps, . Can you say gooey mess? When I worked as a "fairer" (a guy who preps boat hulls, deck, bulwarks by filling , sanding, masking etc.), I had to be clean shaven every day to prevent exposure to dust. It was something that was definitely noticed by supervisors, they let it pass but could get into some degree of trouble if WCB (Workman's Compensation Board) showed up for a surprise inspection. But yeah, if you want to protect your lungs, you gotta shave it off. Edited July 7, 2007 by Southpa Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dylanwad Posted July 8, 2007 Report Share Posted July 8, 2007 I'm glad to see this thread, I have a goatee (about half an inch growth). Would one of the full face respirators offer me proper protection? I'm getting ready to re finish a guitar for the first time and this topic is a bit worrying. I really don't want to shave the goatee off for several reasons but I am also very keen to try my hand at panting a guitar! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mattia Posted July 8, 2007 Report Share Posted July 8, 2007 If you smell solvent, the seal's not good enough. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cacophony123 Posted July 9, 2007 Report Share Posted July 9, 2007 Hey dude, I got the same problem. Instead of an expensive full-face respirator or the vaseline trick, just hit an army surplus store and get a full-face gas mask. If you find the right place it shouldn't be more than $30, and they look bad-ass. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Acousticraft Posted July 10, 2007 Report Share Posted July 10, 2007 I used to have that problem when I had a moustache when I use to Scuba dive many years ago. The Vaseline worked to a degree but the mask still used to leak. I finally shaved it off some time later and hey presto no more leaks. It stopped me slowly drowning all the time. LOL Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ihocky2 Posted July 10, 2007 Report Share Posted July 10, 2007 Hey dude, I got the same problem. Instead of an expensive full-face respirator or the vaseline trick, just hit an army surplus store and get a full-face gas mask. If you find the right place it shouldn't be more than $30, and they look bad-ass. Actually you still need to be clean shaven for a gas mask to work properly. Any type of respiratory filter that does not have a positive air flow needs to seal completely on your face. The gas masks are the primary reason that military personel are not allowed to have more than a moustache. Anything else prevents a secure seal. Also, have you ever worn a gas mask for an extended period of time. They are not light or comfortable, and get rather hot inside. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dan. Posted July 11, 2007 Report Share Posted July 11, 2007 (edited) i guess that its just the goverments way of kill of all the hippies and lumberjacks. Full head hood. you'll look like a low budget storm trooper, but its not that expensive (for 3). also, im not sure it this works, but if you get like a dish towel and cut a mouth hole in that, you could try that around your head and put the respirator on top of it for a tighter fit. Edited July 12, 2007 by Dan. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
slappy Posted July 12, 2007 Author Report Share Posted July 12, 2007 How bad is spray lacquer to breathe anyway? Is it worse than other spray paints or things like that? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mattia Posted July 12, 2007 Report Share Posted July 12, 2007 Oh, it's not bad...if you enjoy cancer (lung, liver, kidney, take your pick), the risk of respiratory anafylaxis, developing chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. In lacquer, the tuolene in the solvent's the evil thing, but even waterbased finishes aren't 'safe' to use without the respirator. Not if you enjoy your lungs. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
toddler68 Posted July 14, 2007 Report Share Posted July 14, 2007 The first (and only) time I sprayed lacquer without a respirator, I got a nasty headspin. Just brain cells I'll never get back - and I was already running low. Never again. I am truly amazed at how well those things really work. When it's working properly, you can't smell a thing! I even use one when I'm fitting PVC pipe together with that awful primer and cement. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Daniel Sorbera Posted July 14, 2007 Report Share Posted July 14, 2007 The first (and only) time I sprayed lacquer without a respirator, I got a nasty headspin. Just brain cells I'll never get back - and I was already running low. Never again. I am truly amazed at how well those things really work. When it's working properly, you can't smell a thing! I even use one when I'm fitting PVC pipe together with that awful primer and cement. I use mine for everything from CA to epoxy to spraying clear coat. It's nice to be able to work without worrying about what your smelling. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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