Powder Painting

[Bperry44]

I just started pouring my own jigs so im new to the game and have a question regarding the safety of painting jigs. When melting lead its obvious to wear a mask to reduce inhaling fumes but should you wear a mask when you heat the jigs to apply powder paint? Its obviously not giving off the same fumes as the molten lead but can it still cause harm.

Thanks for any information!

[ctom]

I don't mask up when powder painting. I don't spray it either so there's no dust.

[Fatman]

No mask either

[gone2long]

To err on the side of caution does not hurt, that being said I also do not wear a mask when powder painting but if your system for doing it produces powder in the air then it can't hurt.

[Lamar]

I'm trying to think where wearing a mask would hurt. I wear mine the whole time I'm in the shop making baits. Maybe over kill but what does it hurt. Like my wife says. " it's like lemons in your bra. Can't hurt might help "

[Kasilofchrisn]

I don't wear one either while casting or powder painting.
Good ventilation is needed but a respirator isn't always needed.
The other key points are:
1)Are you fit tested for your respirator and are you wearing the correct size? 
2) Do you have the correct respirator and cartridge for the job?
3) Are your cartridges still good?
4) Are you storing it properly?
5) Are you trained on proper cleaning and maintenance of your respirator?
If you can't answer yes to all of the above questions then you might not be protected as you think you are anyway.
Just putting any old respirator on and thinking you are protected is misleading and you are fooling yourself into thinking you are protected.
Many harmful contaminates are colorless and/or odorless and if you are not properly fit tested you might be getting exposed and not even realizing it.

[2XL]

I don't wear one casting or painting either. If I was spraying powder paint I would wear one of those white dust masks.

[efishnc]

I don't wear a mask either, but I now only do such things in the garage with the big door open and try to always be upstream with any draft.

[Kdog]

I dont wear a mask, have a full beard and plan on keeping it,  With that said, I have a dust collector with carbon filtration so do not worry too much about it, fumes get pulled in through the dust collector which is powered by a shop vac,

[tommegna]

I have powder painted for years and there no way I will paint powder without some particle mask.  You cant see small powder particles which can get in your lungs and long term hurt you.  You should never bypass safety!

Hope this helps

Capt. Tom Megna
Strictly Fishin'