I'll disagree with KJ. If you look at the recommended use of the filters, they talk about a schedule of use, since the iso has no smell that we can recgonize the carcoal in the filter will loose effetiveness before you can smell the other products. How long it lasts is really hard to tell, depends how much you use it and how you store it. I put it in a ziploc bag between uses, but I'm still guessing. I only occassionaly shoot car coat anymore, but even with the uv I use a mask. More for particulates than anything. Before the
year is out I will have a fresh air system. Only way to be really sure. As to the utube video's, remember, it's just someone with a camera. Who knows their training. If you go to a pro auto shop, you will see masks and ventilation in the mixing room. Most of the good ones now have fresh air systems. Lung transplants are hard to come by.
It's alright to disagree. That's what a good discussion is about.
If everyone were in total agreement there'd be no need for this conversation.
I'm aware of the use-life schedule of the filters; 24 hrs.
That will vary by user and manufacturer but generally 24 hrs.
I agree that placing the mask in a sealed plastic bag can extend it's useful life.
I'm not sure what your point of disagreement is though.
So I reread what I had written. I'm guessing this is it:
"When you can smell paint, change the filters."
That's basically saying that at that point, your filters have expired.
How much earlier they lost their effectiveness is anyone's guess.
That's why there's a manufacturer's recommendation given in hrs of use.
Does the presence of iso accelerate the degradation of the filters?
I don't believe so, no more than any of the other organics contained in the clear-coat.
What I was suggesting was that after you're done spaying and all that remains is the smell,
that doesn't mean you're out of the woods yet.
The iso (by itself) has no smell but it's always present in the vapors that you ARE smelling.
If you're smelling paint, you're subject to exposure. That was my point.
I shoot several times a week but always at the end of my day.
When I'm done, I leave the building. During the first few hrs. of curing, the finish
is off-gassing quite rapidly. It's generally the next day before I go back into the building.
KJ