Is fiberglassing rocket science?

[Rock]

You could hire a 3 year old that works cheap....



Eric

[glassice]

Man I hope that was a fast shot the fumes can mess with DNA harts lungs the hold body . and most of the time you get a rash is your reacting to the resin it be better for the kid to be in a meth lab not get on you but what thy done to me

[GPW]

Glass', glad you mentioned the Health effects ... I had a good friend die from lung complications from working with fiberglass... boatbuilding, indoors ... That was polyester...
For many years we've been warned of Epoxy fumes , on the MP forums, people gradually developing a sensitivity , and then more serious health effects ... a quick Google will confirm this ...
Fiberglass is wonderful stuff , but be sure you know what you're dealing with and take ALL the necessary health precautions ... !!!!!! ... even if you're only doing it once ...

[aggie79]

I believe in the use of respirators and gloves when epoxying. The respirators are a little expensive - the ones with the organic vapor (charcoal) cartridges - but in my book they are cheap insurance.



BTW, you probably don't want to do what I did in the picture above - applying epoxy in the heat under the sun. I was just sealing the bottom of my floor so when I had some air bubbles from the rising heat and the sun, it didn't bother me.

[S. Heisley]

One thing that I haven't seen is a tip on protecting bare skin when sanding fiberglass. Sanding the stuff releases little particles of glass that can work its way into the skin and leave you itching and uncomfortable for a day or two, especially if your skin brushes up against a sanded surface. So, here's a tip from a family member who spent one summer working in a fiberglass factory: Spray your forearms and anything that you think might touch the surface you are sanding with hairspray. Then, at the end, you can just wash it off and you'll be good as before sanding. (Somebody else said to wear a mask to protect your breathing 'skin' too.) Oh, and wear gloves.

=================

Now, here's a story to make you chuckle. When I was young and got my first apartment, I washed the curtain shears in the washing machine. I was short on coins and, since it was only two pair, I threw them in with my clothes in the coin-operated washer. I didn't know they were made from the old fiberglass type of material.

Imagine my discomfort when I put on my newly washed underwear and went to work! That was a long day of squirming in the chair and trying not to itch myself! After 4 subsequent washings, I ended up throwing nearly all my underwear away and buying new.

[Nosty]

Ouch! Sharon, you have my deepest sympathies. I think I'd have had to write the day off and gone home to sit in the tub.


I believe in my attempt to find a way around using glass, I have convinced myself to go another route. I'm no longer afraid to work with the glass, but I've done so much research on other methods that I've talked myself out of glass, (I think), and leaning toward other methods. Which one, I haven't quite decided, but I'm still reading. I'm entirely sure this TTT will be a stepping stone to another one, sans the mistakes I make on this one, (I hope), so I'm going to label this one my experiment and see what I can learn.

Thank you all, once again, for all your help and insight. I really appreciate it.

Have a great weekend,
Brian

[glassice]

the skin soaks in more than you think
Sad to say not to long a go we wash are hands in MEK acetone a lot of time that itch is not the dust but you reacting to the gas off

[kennyrayandersen]

the skin soaks in more than you think
Sad to say not to long a go we wash are hands in MEK acetone a lot of time that itch is not the dust but you reacting to the gas off

That's some nasty stuff... People are a lot more aware of chemical exposure now -- you can't be too carefull -- especially if you do it for a living!