Harmon -
This may sound a little preachy but after you've been around as long as I have, safety is of the utmost importance. Before you buy a mask visit an industrial supply shop. They usually have a number of different models and a knowledgeable employee can likely assist you in getting the proper equipment. Or visit a professional refinishing products shop. They know their paints and should be able to recommend a good choice of masks for the type of work and paint you are planning. Tell them what kind of paint you propose to use, conditions you will be painting in (outdoors, enclosed room, etc.). Back in the day I got the best I could get; one with dual canisters w/ a replaceable pad for particulates and a carbon block to absorb and filter all the organic components out. I'm sure newer paints require new filtering techniques and some paints because of their harmful components require a seperate positive-pressure air breathing apparatus. A type like I had is inadequate for some of the newer paints.
The above mentioned places of business can also recommend what to use for sandblasting. The dust created from sandblasting if inhaled can lead to silicosis of the lungs and that is not good.
IMHO, it is not worth cheaping out on a face mask or a respirator. You only have one set of lungs and you want them to last a long time. I know body and paint men that have never used any PPE and appear to be okay but I suspect they will end up with lung cancer. Likely just a matter of time.
My $ .02
Rusty
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