dust mask or respirator when sanding bottom

[BK]

As many are getting ready to bottom paint their boats for spring, I just finished sanding off old bottom paint and repainting my X. I used a dust mask for sanding instead of a respirator and I still cannot breath well 12 hours later. A respirator will stop the fumes too. Also use a long sleeve Tee shirt, a Tee shirt around your head and long gloves or tapped gloves to shirt as the paint rolls down the glove into the shirt. I also got paint splatters on my face and that is toxic stuff so maybe a clear plastic face shield.
I used a high-density smooth foam rollar and the paint came out very smooth. It is one of those very small diameter rollars from Home depot. It says on the package that is a ultra smooth and a spray like finish and no bubbles. The job came out nice.

[Billy]

BK, a trick we used to use for the face, was covering it in Vaseline. Everything just wiped off and never made contact with the skin. Easy clean up.

[Carl Noble]

What I like to use are Tyvek disposable coveralls with attached hood and boots. They cost about $5 to $8 and when finished just toss them. I have only used the dust mask and have had no problems but I do make sure it is very tight fitting. I have light blue ablative paint on my bottom and it sands extremely easy and fast. When I'm done I look like a giant smurf.

[Bill MacKenzie]

I discovered the best way to sand the boat bottom is to wet sand it. There
is no need for masks, etc. I use the screen type sanding sheets which are
designed for sanding drywall. See my article on bottom painting in Featured Articles on this web site.

Bill M.