Respirator for sanding fiberglass

[JohnK]

What level of respirator protection do I need to sand fiberglass safely? I have a 3M 7502 respirator (https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B008MCUT86/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_search_asin_title?ie=UTF8&psc=1), and I also have P100 filter cartridges (3M 2291) (https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B009POHG2M/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_search_asin_title?ie=UTF8&psc=1). Are these sufficient for inhalation protection of fiberglass dust?

[Otee453]

P100 is the highest level of particulate filter. The ones you chose have an additional level of protection for oil based particulates. I’d use them and feel confident of it’s protection. In fact, p95’s would probably be sufficient for sanding fiberglass.

It’s unfortunate that 3m makes choosing a filter from their 5 billion options so difficult. I guess there is just too much dangerous stuff out there.

[JohnK]

Agreed - the matrix of available 3M filters takes. phD to understand.

[Skuzzy]

Agreed - the matrix of available 3M filters takes. phD to understand.

I have a phD (Physics) and still scratch my head at the choices.

[Fman]

Best choice = let your painter do it all :D that stuff is nasty you definitely don't want to get any fiberglass dust in your lungs.

Ken did everything for me, I dropped the body off separate from the chassis and let him take it from there. I added a few years on to my life by doing this.

[Jeff Kleiner]

Best choice = let your painter do it all

Sure, we're all immune to that stuff. Need proof? Here's a photo of Ken Pike, Jeff Miller and myself at Huntington Beach a few years ago...clearly it hasn't affected us one bit.

https://imagesvc.meredithcorp.io/v3/mm/image?url=https://static.onecms.io/wp-content/uploads/sites/6/2012/04/three-stooges-vol-2_320.jpg

Jeff

[GoDadGo]

Just A Thought From The Peanut Gallery @ Camp Go-Dad-Go:

As a former fiberglass boat builder I can say that a good quality respirator is of extreme importance.
You can easily replace the filter cartridges a lot easier than you can replace your lungs.
Fiberglass particles don't quickly deteriorate so mask up with a quality respirator.
As an example, this 1953 Corvette will soon turn 70 years of age in 2023.
Doesn't this fiberglass body look great after all those years?

https://www.mecum.com/lots/FL0116-229992/1953-chevrolet-corvette-roadster/

[J R Jones]

I used to keep a box of N95 particle masks for grinding/sanding, and a box of N95 masks for welding. (specifics are offered)
Being careless I would use the sanding masks for quick rattle can paint jobs, but that is probably not appropriate.
When the pandemic hit my paint supply store told me he mailed his entire inventory to someone in CA and as a result could not service his local customers because he could not get more masks?!!

I fell back on my weld mask inventory for the other chores and actually that is a better solution.
Welding creates POC (products of combustion) that are so small it challenges the smoke detector industry for early warning, before smoke can be seen. Those minute particles will damage your lungs.
So welding masks are likely better protection than particle masks (unless they are all the same with a marketing strategy).

Another word of caution is cutting with abrasives, especially abrasive discs. The cutting creates particles but sparks/burning is involved that creates POC similar to welding. Therefore using welding mask for abrasive cutting may be in your best interest.
jim

[JohnK]

Best choice = let your painter do it all :D that stuff is nasty you definitely don't want to get any fiberglass dust in your lungs.

Ken did everything for me, I dropped the body off separate from the chassis and let him take it from there. I added a few years on to my life by doing this.

I had a list of items I was planning to do on the body before sending it off for body/paint. After talking with Jeff Miller, he talked me out of doing most of them, as I would likely screw them up and just make more work for him. ;) I'm going to do a few basics like fitting lights, trimming the cowl to be able to get the body on the chassis, and then let him work his magic from there.

[cob427sc]

As a former body shop owner told me when I asked the question 25 years ago "... cough, cough, no problem. Dust, There's F---- dust everywhere! hack, hack, cough" followed by multiple spits onto the floor. He never got to paint my car as he didn't last long enough!

[J R Jones]

In the sixties as an impressionable young lad writing service at a Buick/Pontiac dealership, I had to QC every job before return to the customer.
A body shop job was washed and detailed but the paint repair was not acceptable, orange peal and dry blend. I asked my boss the Service Manager if I should take it back for rework.
"No" was the reply.
Body shop lead Emil was a large older man from Eastern Europe and he had an ornery "disposition". Jim went on to say, "Most body men are alcoholics and Emil is not, he comes to work every day. Wait to see if the customer complains and we will deal with it then". I speculated on the fumes from thinners appealing to an alcoholic's lifestyle. Ultimately I had to have the alternative body man, Emil's son, fix the paint.
jim