Love your work and demonstrations! Inspiring me to give some of your stuff a go. However I’m just conscious about the boring stuff, be it safety precautions before I can get started. I noticed you were wearing a mask when using the hydrochloric acid (muriatic acid) on steel. And I was just wondering which one you use, or if you could recommend which one to buy on a reasonably low budget if possible?
p.s. – I have limited/no experience re: Respirators.
Thanks, Max
ANSWER by Bill:
First of All, Thanks for the Question. The STEEL F/X® Patinas Have Very Little Acid Content, usually 1% or Less. But, Airborne Mist Can Be an Irritant to Some, so I Would Recommend Using a Respirator, Especially When Working With Muriatic Acid, Acetone, Isopropanol, Solvent-Based Stains or Paints. When in Doubt, It’s Always Wise to Err on the Side of Caution.
Replaceable, Respirator Filters, (Which Fit the 1/2 Mask or Full-Face Mask). The Filters I Use Are Rated & Labeled as: ‘Acid Gas/Organic Vapors’. I Use The Type Pictured Below, which Cam-Locks onto the Actual Mask:
A Disposable N95 Mask is Good For Light Use/General Use, and is Good to Have on Hand. My preference is the N95 Masks that have two straps. The Single-Strap Versions Do NOT Make a Good Facial Seal. Here’s an Example of the Type of N95 Disposable Mask That I Use:
All of These Safety Products Can be Found at a Welding Supply Store in Your Area, or on Amazon.com, as well as NorthernSafety.com, Gemplers.com & Many Other Vendors, Either Brick & Mortar or Online.
If You Use a Respirator Mask w/ Replaceable Cartridges, You Would Typically Use Filters That are Rated as ‘Acid-Gas/Organic Vapor’, and Keep the Respirator & Attached Filters in a Plastic Bucket w/ Lid, Ammo-Can with Gasket-Type Lid, or Even a Gallon Zip-Lock Bag When Not in Use.
The Filters Can Take on Ambient, Airborne Particulates & Even Welding Smoke/Fumes & Odors, So They Won’t Last as Long as if They Were Sealed Up When Not in Use.
Respirator Storage Bag. Here’s a Link to a Heavy-Duty, Zippered Bag:
I’ve Even Stretched a Pair of Disposable Nitrile or Latex Gloves Over the Cartridge For Short-Term Storage.
ALSO…I Use the Half-Mask Respirator with Disposable Pancake Filters(Photo Below) When I’m Welding. The 1/2 Mask Respirator, Equipped With the Pancake Filters Fit Easily Under a Welding Hood and Each Pair of Pancake Filters lasts me about 6 months, or more.
Minimum 99.97% efficiency against solid or liquid particles, including oil-based particles
I Wear a Full-Face Respiratorwhen Shooting Paints or Clears. Mostly Because I Wear Glasses & You Definitely DO NOT Want Any Over-Spray Settling on Your Lenses, if you Wear Glasses. (Been There…Done That…Several Times, In Fact!)
A Disposable Half-Mask (below) is Very Convenient and Affordable, in That You Don’t Change Out the Cartridges. You Just Toss ’em When They Get Too Old or Restricted. In Most Cases, You Could Use One of These Occasionally, for 6-12 mos. Before Replacing, and They’re Usually About $20.00, or so:
Place Palms Firmly Over Each Filter & Inhale Deeply Using Your Nose AND Mouth. If You Can Get NO Air, You Have a Good Face Seal & Your Respirator is Ready for Use. If You Can Draw Air In, Re-Adjust Straps & Repeat Until You Can Draw In No Air While Your Palms are Covering the Filters. If you wear a full beard, or long moustache, it is really difficult, if not impossible to get a good seal.
Notes Re: Brand Names & Links:
Top Brands of P.P.E. Products Discussed on this Post Include, But Are Not Limited To: 3M®, NORTH®, MOLDEX®, SCOTT® and MSA®.
The Respirator Products I Use Are: 3M®, UVEX® or NORTH®Brand.
Photos & Links Above are Representative for the Style & Type of Respirators Currently Available. All Are Available in Various Brand Names, Levels of Quality & Price. It is up to You to Choose the PPE Respirators that fit your Budget & Working Environment.
The Links Provided are for Reference Only & STEEL F/X® PATINAS is Not Affiliated With, Nor Does it Endorse or Recommend Any Particular Supplier/Vendor of Safety Equipment.
My Advice is: Shop Around, Get the Best Quality You Can Afford, as You’ll Pay Less in the Long Run. Most Respirators, With the Exception of the Disposable N95 Respirators, are Available in Sm., Med. & Lg.
Please Feel Free to Leave Comments, Suggestions or Questions re: Respirators, PPE, etc. Or, Use the Contact Form Below if You Have Any Other Questions.
My name is Bill Worden. I am the founder & owner of STEEL F/X® Patinas, which began officially in the fall of 2006.
I had my first exposure to metal-finishing when I was 14 yrs. old. (1968)
My Chemistry teacher showed me how to silver-plate a copper penny without heat or electricity. The whole process, which I found incredibly cool, took only a minute or two. I was hooked on what could be done chemically, to transform the surface of varying metals.
I have been a metalsmith since 1972, working with precious metals originally, and currently focusing primarily on CNC cut steel art and chemically induced Color Case-Hardening of firearms & custom knives.
I have developed many steel patina formulas that react safely with the steel to bring out a myriad of colors & effects without hiding the polished steel beneath.
I have also developed a one-of-a-kind patina, (STAINLESS F/X™), which works equally well on Stainless Steel, Carbon Steel & Copper.
My greatest reward is teaching & helping other metal artisans to produce finished products that are beyond the norm of painting or powder-coating.
I truly love working in the lab, experimenting with what will work & developing new products.
Many of my customers, in a very short time, have become masters of steel patinas on their own work and are producing some heirloom quality works of art!
I live in St. George, Utah with my wife, Kris and my two sons, Tyler & Trevor..
I welcome your calls & emails & will do my very best to provide you with all the help & product innovation possible.
The STEEL F/X® PATINAS Company Motto is "KAI-ZEN", a Japanese word that loosely translates to: "CONTINUAL IMPROVEMENT"
Thank you for helping to make STEEL F/X® PATINAS a Reality...Without all of my loyal customers, we wouldn't exist. Keep Up The Good Work!
Bill D. Worden,
STEEL F/X®, LLC
(STEEL F/X® PATINAS)
1.800.710.1273
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