![]() ![]() Importantly, uncovered emulated coughs were able to travel noticeably farther than the currently recommended 6-foot distancing guideline. These masks were able to curtail the speed and range of the respiratory jets significantly, albeit with some leakage through the mask material and from small gaps along the edges. However, well-fitted homemade masks with multiple layers of quilting fabric, and off-the-shelf cone style masks, proved to be the most effective in reducing droplet dispersal. Results showed that loosely folded facemasks and bandana-style coverings stop aerosolized respiratory droplets to some degree. By placing these various masks on the mannequin, they were able to map out the paths of droplets and demonstrate how differently they perform. They tested a single-layer bandana-style covering, a homemade mask that was stitched using two-layers of cotton quilting fabric consisting of 70 threads per inch, and a non-sterile cone-style mask that is available in most pharmacies. They tested masks that are readily available to the general public, which do not draw away from the supply of medical-grade masks and respirators for healthcare workers. They visualized droplets expelled from a mannequin’s mouth while simulating coughing and sneezing. Researchers employed flow visualization in a laboratory setting using a laser light sheet and a mixture of distilled water and glycerin to generate the synthetic fog that made up the content of a cough-jet. The rationale behind the recommendation for using masks or other face coverings is to reduce the risk of cross-infection via the transmission of respiratory droplets from infected to healthy individuals. Research from Florida Atlantic University’s College of Engineering and Computer Science, just published in the journal Physics of Fluids, demonstrates through visualization of emulated coughs and sneezes, a method to assess the effectiveness of facemasks in obstructing droplets. While there have been prior studies on how medical-grade masks perform, data on cloth-based coverings used by the vast majority of the general public are sparse. So, if you don’t have a steady hand and you prefer to use paint, give the masking fluid a go! If you’re confident with your steady hand or you already scrape paint off with a razor blade, you could skip this.Currently, there are no specific guidelines on the most effective materials and designs for facemasks to minimize the spread of droplets from coughs or sneezes to mitigate the transmission of COVID-19. But it isn’t much different from the technique of painting onto the glass, then scraping it off with a razor blade - another classic technique. It’s relatively comparable to a steady hand. I’m sure this would provide a better edge than blue tape. This would have been avoided if I followed my #2 lesson learned and applied it thicker. However, some of the masking didn’t come off totally clean so I spent a fair amount of time scraping it off with a razor blade. The edge is also super crisp and better than I can achieve with a steady hand. ![]() It definitely saved me time not having to cut in over and over and over again. I liked that I could leave it on for several days as I painted multiple coats. It was fun to use and very satisfying to peel. Try to go light on the wood portions when applying the masking fluid. ![]() It’s so subtle that I don’t notice it when I use the doors, but I can definitely see it if I go looking for it. Note that when the masking fluid gets on the wood, it creates and ever so slightly different sheen under the finish paint. But you also don’t want to use a banged-up blade that can make for a messy cut line. Use a dull blade to score the masking fluid as to not scratch the glass. On the inside, after learning my lesson I did a thick coat over the whole piece of glass and was a much happier camper. On my first go, I painted just the perimeter and it left me with little bits of masking that didn’t come off in a big sheet. Apply it pretty thick, and cover the whole pane of glass. I’m not too worried about my mess up because these new windows have a different seal, but I’ve learned NOT to use this on the exterior of old windows.ĭon’t be stingy with the masking liquid. I’ve since learned that it compromises the paint/glass seal which could let in moisture and compromise the glazing putty. Don’t use this on the exterior of windows (even though that’s what I did). ![]()
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