Filtration for air-fed mask

[andyxxxx]

I'm pretty new to the paint spraying world but it's something I've wanted to be able to do for a long time, so a few month ago I had some cash lying around from the sale of a vehicle so bought a 250ltr compressor and a couple of decent guns and jumped in at the deep end. So far I have played exclusively with celly primers and paints, using standard carbon filtered 3M-style masks, however I'm starting to see the limits and quite fancy trying 2K

I bought a Devilbiss MPV-623 mask with carbon filter thinking I could just plug it into my old 50ltr 2hp compressor placed outside my workshop and away I go, but now I'm reading I need extra filtration?

What's the most affordable way to get decent air to the mask's carbon filter? Are these £30 filter regulator jobbies up to the job of removing oil or am I looking for something a bit more... 'un-affordable'

Cheers in advance,

Andy

 

[graffian]

You need a filter that supplies breathable air, stops you breathing what you sprayed and whatever gives you things like boilermakers lung[so I am told].
Something like ultraire filters I think Puraire filters are cheaper, these filters can be bought without carbon elements.

 

[Dave H2]

coalescent oil filter required, the usual filters do not take out oil vapour and if your old comp is letting some passed the rings your mask filter wont last long

 

[eil]

Have a look through these, the kestrel one looks to be the cheapest
http://www.spraygunsdirect.co.uk/products.php?pid=89&id=105

 

[andyxxxx]

Cheers for the replies, very helpful.

This all sounds very expensive... I should have maybe stuck with celly, ah well, too late now.

Also, what kind of room extraction is needed? I have a workshop unit in a fairly remote place so there's no risk of upsetting any neighbours.

That kestrel one looks like a nice bit of kit, very nicely priced. Any idrea on replacement filters?

 

[Fintray]

Andyxxxx

Un-affordable; what price do you place on having a healthy pair of lungs? Don't skimp on something that can have a big impact on your health!!!

 

[andyxxxx]

Andyxxxx

Un-affordable; what price do you place on having a healthy pair of lungs? Don't skimp on something that can have a big impact on your health!!!

I wasn't planning on risking my lungs, I was asking on the most affordable thing that would do a good job, hence the thread...

"un-affordable" was (quite obviously, I thought) written in jest.

I'd love to go spend thousands on specialist breathing apperatus but at the end of the day I'm a student doing this as a hobby, on a budget, and if that budget won't allow me to do it safely, I won't.

 

[graffian]

The replacement elements can be expensive. One of the filters I have cost ~£40[a few years ago], a new coalescing filter element was more than the filter assy cost £140!!! I only had it a few weeks and someone tried pumping up a princess supension, as I shouted "don't do that" I saw the filter bowl turn green!
Flotech do a range of filters, I haven't got a clue how much their filters cost, but the elements are cheaper than I paid Norgren. I bought one of their filters and made an adapter to put it in a Norgren housing.
Look on ebay. I have a large Domnick Hunter .01µ filter, cost me a fiver including post! it was new, I wouldn't buy secondhand cos of the cost of the elements.

 

[andyxxxx]

So basically it might be worth buying that Kestrel setup for £160, then buying a new one and sticking the old on up cheap on eBay when the filters are due?

How long are we talking for these filters? I'm a very occasional sprayer (as said, hobby only).

EDIT: Just noticed if you scroll down on the kestrel item page it has the replacement elements...

£31.63 for the carbon
£37.78 for the coalescing
£7.37 for the pre filter

(all + VAT)

Very reasonable IMO

 

[Fintray]

Andyxxxx
Glad to hear you don't intend to take any risks
We use Devilbiss 3 stage filter units at work and I test the quality of the air from the filter units and have had no readings anywhere near the limits set down in the regulations. As far as I am aware none of the filters have been changed in the last year and they are used regularly.

 

[andyxxxx]

Just for an update, I ended up buying the Kestrel system on spraygunsdirect to use with my MPV-623. My compressor is struggling a little unless I pop out of my workshop and disconnect the mask every now and then so maybe another compressor is in order.

I thought this may be the case but wanted to see if I could get away with one compressor as the second room is quite small.

I have no equipment to test the quality of the air but the Kestrel system delivered odour free air which was very comfortable to breathe, sprayed 2k for the first time last night and felt safe doing so.

 

[Fintray]

Andyxxxx

I'm sure the Kestrel filtration is doing a good job of cleaning the air; there is no requirement to test the air if you are using it in a domestic setting. Any pictures of your spraying project?

 

[eil]

Is there something stopping you coupling up the smaller compressor to the larger one for more capacity, after you have sprayed a bit with the new filters do check the bowls you`l be surprised how much water/oil they remove especially on a hot day.

 

[andyxxxx]

Andyxxxx

I'm sure the Kestrel filtration is doing a good job of cleaning the air; there is no requirement to test the air if you are using it in a domestic setting. Any pictures of your spraying project?

Not as of yet, just been cracking on with it so far. I do have a mid-build advertising trailer to spray tomorrow so will grab a few if I remember.

Is there something stopping you coupling up the smaller compressor to the larger one for more capacity, after you have sprayed a bit with the new filters do check the bowls you`l be surprised how much water/oil they remove especially on a hot day.

We were considering that today actually, it'd have to be a non-permanent coupling as I sometimes take the 50l out in the van to do odd jobs, but a valved PCL coupling might be an idea.

I'd prefer another 3hp 200ltr permanently next to it eventually, to be sure, just waiting for one to come up at a reasonable price.