QUOTE(r_towle @ Mar 31 2008, 12:53 PM)
Good point, but I am looking for Scott, Rick, and Shelby (professionals) to chime in here.
I am not really looking to go into business restoring cars, so a full helmet with dedicated air supply is not in my budget.
Rich
Sorry, Late to the party..
I used one for years am I'm not dead yet.
1) keep it clean. Wipe it down with thinner if you need to remove overspray from the outside.
2) keep it in a sealed foil or heavy plastic bag. Most of these have charcoal filters. They loose there life when left out.
3) shave your facial hair. These masks do not fit or work when worn over facial hair. If you have hair get the full face hood.
These are fine for occasional use. In production shops a full body suit should be worn to keep paint out of your pores, hair, and orfices.
I took a blood test once for a physical. There was tolulene in my blood stream in the test results. Probably not a good thing...
This was about 25 years ago. I hired a painter shortly after that, maybe 20 years ago. So I think I'm OK...
BTW: I supplied my painter with a full suit, gloves and fresh air hood.
Back in the day I used to take paper towels soaked in thinner and wash my face, hands, arms and wipe over my hair to get the Duluxe overspray loose enough to come off in the shower.