Question about 3M particulate filters....

SynPDX

Seaman Apprentice
Joined
Jun 29, 2013
Messages
36
So I'm doing quite a bit of work...

I've got these filters on my mask, I'm power sanding away the layer of gelcoat off my fiberglass hull and I can smell it while wearing the mask. Am I safe?

Pic of my mask below, also here's the link for the filters.

unnamed.jpg
 

JASinIL2006

Vice Admiral
Joined
Feb 10, 2012
Messages
5,729
for sanding/grinding, everything I read said P100 filters were sufficient. Just make sure the mask fits tightly and you're not getting leakage. (If you see dust streaks on your face that cut across the mask line, your mask isn't fitting properly.
 

gm280

Supreme Mariner
Joined
Jun 26, 2011
Messages
14,605
If you are seriously wanting to not smell the grinding, make certain the particle mask can remove particle down to the sub micron size. I used the 3M respirator and didn't have any problems. And when I switched to polyester mixing, I also switched to 3M vapor filters and I can't smell any of the polyester vapors... JMHO!
 

Davcar

Cadet
Joined
Aug 22, 2003
Messages
14
If you can smell something while grinding or sanding you probably don't have a good fit to your mask. When you have the mask on and think its adjusted properly, cover the filter intakes with your hands and breathe in. You should not detect air leaking in around the seal of the mask. The mask will suck in against your face. Same for exhaling. Cover the outlet of the mask and exhale just enough to pressurize the mask. Feel for leakage around the seal on your face.If you forcibly exhale you will leak air out from under the mask seal. So just exhale like normal and feel for leakage. Straps may need to be slightly tighter if there are leaks. Or possibly you need a bigger or smaller mask to make fitting better. I see your using a medium sized mask. Also...save yourself some money and use 3M 2091 or 2097 filters for grinding/sanding. They are far less bulky and about 1/3 the price. You will need the cartridge style filters like you have now for any chemical,fiberglass,etc. work to close out those vapors. One last thing, make sure that the rubber gasket under the filter/cartridge is in place where it attaches to the mask. Oh, and one last, last thing. When your checking the fit of your mask to yourself, move your head around side to side and up and down some to simulate your moving around while working. When your active your skin and the mask straps can push and pull some possibly affecting the seal.
 
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Woodonglass

Supreme Mariner
Joined
Dec 29, 2009
Messages
25,929
Uhmm, yeah, why ARE you grinding the Gel Coat off the hull? How much are you grinding off? I also agree with Davcar, you probably have an ill fitting mask. I have a very similar mask and can't smell anything when I wear mine!
 

SynPDX

Seaman Apprentice
Joined
Jun 29, 2013
Messages
36
ondarvr Woodonglass =

Well, perhaps I didn't have to do that? I'm grinding (actually finished now) the gelcoat that was in the bottom of the ski locker. I assumed that I am unable to apply fiberglass to gelcoat... I'm re-doing the entire floor of my boat, when I put the new stringers in, they'll be glass into place and the gelcoat was in the way (correct me please if I am mistaken).

Davcar =

The mask definitely fits! All those years of "donning and clearing" gas masks in the Marines taught me quite well of a proper mask seal =) The smell is much more potent without the mask, but the fact that I can still smell a bit with the mask on had me a bit concerned.

Thanks for the replies guys!

-Pete
 

Woodonglass

Supreme Mariner
Joined
Dec 29, 2009
Messages
25,929
If there is gel coat in the ski locker area then YES for sure that needs to be ground off to get the new glass to adhere properly. If the mask is sealing properly and you can still smell fumes then again YES you need to change filters.
 

SynPDX

Seaman Apprentice
Joined
Jun 29, 2013
Messages
36
Woodonglass =

Sweet man, thanks so much for the reply! Yes, the ski locker was gelcoated.

Really appreciate you getting back to me on this!
 

Yacht Dr.

Vice Admiral
Joined
Feb 26, 2005
Messages
5,581
Meh..you're probably smelling the burning of the resin and glass while grinding. If you dont see any white blowouts on your face then thats what it is. Its Way better than those cheesy dust masks :) Heck..just blow them out once in a while.
 

Daniel1947

Petty Officer 1st Class
Joined
Sep 22, 2010
Messages
267
Everything you have just been told is correct. You must have been in the "NEW" Marine Corps....when I was in the "OLD" Corps...we didn't wear gas masks. Guess we were tougher. :lol: :lol: Semper Fi SynPDX
 
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