3M Half Face Respirator Replacement Filters

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I have the above half face respirator. Brand new, never been used before.  Used it for about 2-1/2 hours manually plasma cutting 16 gauge cold roll sheet metal.  At the end of 2-1/2 hours could barely get air through the filter cartridges.  Not getting enough air/oxygen.  Took it apart and cleaned it thoroughly with mild soap and water.  Took the 2 flapper valves off and cleaned them as well.  I think that the dust from cutting clogged the large filters.  Is there a way to clean these?  Air gun?  Water?  These are pretty expensive for 2-1/2 hours use, and yes I know it is for protection of my lungs.Thanks for any advice on how to extend the life of the filter cartridges.
Reply:No way that I know of.   I hope you have extras.  They're pretty expensive right now.  I was barely able to get some on Ebay NOS for $15 a pair.  Better NOS than nothing.

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Reply:Weird. I use that and switch them out every  2 weeks or so just for piece of mind. Never had them actually clog up Sent from my SM-G930W8 using Tapatalk
Reply:I've never had one clog up like that either.Maybe it got wet?  Perhaps the exhaust valve was stuck and you were breathing humid air into the filter/particulates.A few layers of cotton fabric (depending on thickness) enveloping your filter helps pre-filtration of the bigger stuff.If i can't find filters soon i'm going to look into buying HVAC filters (or comparable media) and cut them up/hot glue to fit.  Drastic times my friends.
Reply:

Originally Posted by SlowBlues

I've never had one clog up like that either.Maybe it got wet?  Perhaps the exhaust valve was stuck and you were breathing humid air into the filter/particulates.A few layers of cotton fabric (depending on thickness) enveloping your filter helps pre-filtration of the bigger stuff.If i can't find filters soon i'm going to look into buying HVAC filters (or comparable media) and cut them up/hot glue to fit.  Drastic times my friends.