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Hi Dan Not sure if paper filters would be the best option for paint. I know there are a lot of people using them but as you say the motor H.P requirements need to be big . The problem with paper /fiber glass is paint tends to dry/ or "set" very quickly when blasted with air (especially thinners based paints), so it will quickly start blocking the filter which restricts the air flow which allows more paint to set in the filter, so around and around it goes and probably starts drawing air around the filter or from the back. Lots of guys use "flash proof" Gas Heater fans from old home gas heaters. The overspray is transferred (suction) via a spray booth (box) into corrugated plastic or Al (heater ducting) ducting along which it travels through the fan (squirrel cage heater fan) and out to the atmosphere. If you use enough flexible ducting (4" or Bigger) the paint solids tend to set in the ducting, not the fan blades, the solvents or water will be expelled through the fan- which MUST BE FLASHPROOF. Connect the ducting via PVC pipe fittings. Bash the ducting occasionally and the paint solids will fall off as paint dust. Had one for years and still works as new, still passes the required air volume tests too. Pete

Buy good tools, and you'll only need to buy them once. Good tools eliminate a lot of the problems and frustrations that can making pouring soft plastics a slog.

Can you take a picture of the mold and upload? I agree fully with above comments - looks like its a venting issue. Are those bubbles just on one side - and I'd assume to be the "up" side of the mold when filled? SOMETIMES it can be solved with speed of injection (slower) and sometime with the plastic heat.... but in my experience, adding vents does the trick. I have lizard 2 molds I made with big ribs and only way I could get them to fill was by adding a vent on every rib. You don't need a massive vent - literally just the tiniest of a groove will let enough air pass through. I've even used an Xacto/utility blade and a straight edge to score deep enough to create vents. Scoring with a blade can/will create a high spot as you're really just moving the metal not removing it (like a ding in a car door)... but just use some fine sandpaper to knock it down. J.