Respirator suggestions for bearded, glasses-wearing person

[Ron Kanter]

I am about to enter the new (to me) territory of spray finishing. I want to protect my lungs so I am looking at respirators. Seem that having a full beard and wearing glasses (that's me) compromises the effectiveness of even full face designs. I really don't want to get into a fresh air system. Any other real world experience and suggestions would be much appreciated.

[Leo Graywacz]

Full face with selective trimming should do the trick.

Otherwise not much else out there other than a fresh air system.

[Scott Holmes]

What will you spraying? Lacquer? Water-borne? shellac?

[Ron Kanter]

I have been padding shellac and would like to try spraying it. Will then explore some water-borne option. Lacquer is last on the list, but not far behind.

[Scott Holmes]

I use a half mask with P100 cartridge with my trimmed facial hair and get good results.

Make sure to store the Organic P100 in a plastic ziplock bag; the activated charcoal works even when the filter is setting on the bench.

[Jim Rimmer]

Half mask is the way to go for the glasses. Facial hair is an issue with a good seal. Scott looks like he has no beard on his cheek area where the seal will be formed. If you have a "full" beard, there's not much you can do short of shaving part of it.

[Jamie Buxton]

I use a half mask with P100 cartridge with my trimmed facial hair and get good results.

Make sure to store the Organic P100 in a plastic ziplock bag; the activated charcoal works even when the filter is setting on the bench.

How do you know you're getting good results? Like you, I have facial hair. Every time I put on a respirator (a 3M half-face unit) I wonder if I'm just kidding myself.

[John Coloccia]

You test the respirator. Block the filters and inhale. Does it maintain a suction for several seconds at least? If not, then it's not working.

Hobby Air is an affordable fresh air system if you don't need to have it rated.

[Jerry Bruette]

Every time I put on a respirator (a 3M half-face unit) I wonder if I'm just kidding myself.

According to OSHA and NIOSH you're kidding yourself. My employer won't even let me certify for a dust mask because of my beard. My last employer made me shave so I could be fit tested and certified to wear a full face respirator.

The people doing the certification would spray saccharin, the artificial sweetener, around the mask and ask if you could smell a sweet smell. If you did you didn't have a seal, I've also seen people who couldn't get a seal no matter how hard they tried.

Jerry