Re: IRON PATRIOT Costume TUTORIAL Part 6B -Filling, Sanding Pepakura (HELMET) Page 7
I use the higher-end cartridge respirators when sealing and painting cars (the stuff with fumes and aerosol particles), but then I switch to paper respirators for all of my block sanding between coats and for finishing. Three reasons I do this:
1- I wanted Cartridge respirators with the better filters to keep vaporized paint/resin fumes/etc. out of my lungs when using my sprays and chemicals
2-I switch to paper respirators (the good 3m ones) when sanding, because the main concern is keeping larger particulate dust out of my lungs. Also, block sanding makes me sweaty and filthy, and I like to be able to toss the respirator when it gets wrecked
3-I also switch because I didn't want my good respirator getting its filters (and the body itself) getting clogged up with sanding dust. My good respirator also has to go back in to the paint booth for final painting, and I don't want ANY dust anywhere near the pieces, even built up on my respirator. It's annoying to tear down and clean the cartridge respirator properly.
Don't get me wrong, paper filters don't get ALL the dust, but they work well enough for me. I just squish thee little metal strips down on my nose and go to town.