Not something we talk abut much here, though it does have some relevance for working on RC. I know it can be an inconvience, it's not in the least bit macho or even cool to use it - but as I get older I do find myself using it more, even for those "2 minute" jobs where it's very tempting not to bother.
Anyway, this is the stuff I've been using recently. Ebay widgets are for illustration, not necessarily recommending particular suppliers.
3m 4251 face mask (Gas / Vapour and Particulate Respirator)
15 to 20 GBP depending on supplier/quantity.
Latex free according to the packaging.
Straps do seem to adjust themselves loose, but easy to tighten up again, catch on lower strap a bit awkward to undo to remove mask.
I generally get something akin to claustrophobia with masks, but while I'm focussing on doing something I don't have to much of a problem with this one. I don't think most people wouod notice the slightly restricted flow TBH.
Soft rubbery edges seem to cope well with a modest amount of stubble. A lot of masks make my glasses steam up on exhalation, not a problem with this one though.
So far I've "tested" with:
- Hycote primers (including the particularly stinky red oxide), their 250ml automotive acrylic sprays and their more generic 400ml sprays (Satin Black being particularly stinky again);
- Tamiya PS aerosols
- airbrushing PC and X/XF acrylics diluted with X20A thinner (water, IPA & other solvents in small amounts);
... and found no issues with smell of dust getting through - so no paint fume induced headaches or multicolour bogies since I've been using it.
Not sure what it's life span will be.
Sealey SSP301 Protective Over-Spectacles
Typically 7 GBP (Other brands (3M), pseudo brands, and ubranded versions available, some much cheaper).
Eye protection that fits over glasses - especially those that merely sit on your face rather than feel like something from a Jules Verne novel is trying to suck it off - is a bit thin on the ground and lways a bit of a compromise. While these improve protection from the sides, they still leave more of a gap top and bottom than I'd like.
Next time I'll try a Bolle pair for a couple of quid more as they look to provide a bit more cover .
Polyco/Bodyguards Powder Free Blue Nitrile (and/or Powder Free Vinyl) Disposable Gloves
6 or 7 GBP per box (50 pairs).
Sizing is something of a compromise, "Large" (8.5) are a bit of a tight fit on the palms, but still a bit long on the fingers for me so I don't want to go up a size TBH ... Vinyl gloves do have a habit of tearing at the bottom of the palms when I'm putting them on. Nitrile are a better fit for me There's no discernable difference in performace with Purple or Black versions despite higher cost. I haven't tried the Pink.
Both sorts are reasonably effective are dealing with ordinary oils, grease etc and from keeping paint off your fingers and nails during spraying. They seem to cope with caustic soda (with caution). Grafitti Remover seems to go right through the Nitrile gloves like their porous, and it quickly destroys them too ... even tripling up it still gets through to the skin in fairly short order. (Regular rubber gloves + the vinyl don't work any better though).
Dispoable plastic oversleeves
C. 5 GBP for 100 (50 pairs)
Adds a bit of splash/drift protection to the lower arms, useful for protecting sleeves when doing a quick bit of spraying. If you put them on gloves, they help close the cuffs up - but not to the point of being proof against immersion.
I found that condensation builds up very rapidly, even if not doing very much on a mild day.
