Respirator Brands

These are great. Walmart, Home Depot, Lowes, Ace Hardware all carry them

3M 6000/6100

It's not the respirator, it's the filters that are rated. Youll want the organic vapors as solvent based paints are hydrocarbon based thus making them organic. You buy the respirator once and the cartridges are what matter. I have a 3M half mask and a Honeywell full face. 

It's also critical how the rubber seals to your face. The shape of your face, facial hair or no, all affect how well the mask seals. If it does not seal, it will not work.

For me, I had to try on a number of masks before finding one that fit.

The 3M masks com in 4 sizes I believe. Small medium large and XL. When trying it out you want to put it on, pull the straps nice and snug so the mask seals against your face then place your palms over the cartridge holes and breath in and hold your breath. If the mask holds a vacuum it's right if the vacuum breaks try a smaller mask

I believe the ops question was "What respirator brand and specs. are you using when spray painting; or working with other toxic fumes?" in which case the dust/particulate rating is of little use since it does not remove VOC's you need to use organic compound cartridges  which will remove paint fumes maid up of VOC's but they are not limited exposure, they use active chemistry and have a limited capacity of how much/how long they will work before the cartridge is spent and needs to be replaced. The more fumes through the cartridges the shorter the life of the cartridge. I also do not see him mentioning propellants or gasses as the propellant in rattle cans is not enough to displace the oxygen in the room. And I do not believe he is using nitrogen or some other obscure means to power his airbrush. The issue with elemental gasses is that they displace and replace the oxygen in the room. If there is less than about 19% oxygen in the room no respirator will help you as there isn't enough oxygen and a respirator cant add more.

So go with the 3M , they are readily available and so are the cartridges. For sanding and what not, the pink particulate filters work fine, for heave spray painting then you will need to buy the VOC cartridges. I just spray the paint and leave and I don't bother putting on the respirator as I am not continuously working in the paint area.

U line has exactly what you need. you may be able to find it elsewhere. The cartridges on this one come with a P95 particulate pre-fitler When not in use take the cartridges off ans store them in sealed plastic bags. You'll know when the cartridges are done, ittl be like you don't have the mask on.

https://www.uline.com/BL_1637/...-Project-Respirators

Local Auto body or auto parts supply, eventually the cartridges would need to be replaced.

Even acrylic paints will cause problems and discomfort.   A must for any spray paint including aerosol cans.

Thanks sooo much for the suggestions and overview. I'm on my way to locate the suggested 3M respirator!!!

Rocky, the great thing about the 3M unit is the cartridges are available from so many places.

So every year I get to shave my beard and get fit tested for a respirator.  The biggest thing to watch for is making sure you get one that actually fits your face.  Most folks wear a medium but everyone’s face is different .  When you put it on, cover the intake ports with your hands and try to suck in. If the mask adheres to your face you are good. If not, tighten the straps and try again. If you are still sucking in air from around the mask, find a different one that better fits your face. 

Fyi- when testing also cover the discharge opening and try to gently breathe out.  If you have a good seal it should feel like the mask is slightly inflating.

 The biggest thing after fit is cleanliness.  Each time you are done with your mask clean it up with soap and water or an alcohol wipe.  Then store it inside a clean ziplock bag.

In my spray booth, last year. I use the "stand upwind" filter. Not sure what other "toxic fumes" I'm around, so long as I stay off the news channels.

And I get a nice view of my neighbor's house.

I do solder a bit, and that is done at the workbench - but I do not typically use lead solder.