I want to second Eric Sprenne's excellent advice about working with epoxy, and to reinforce a couple of things: One or two skin exposures to epoxy is unlikely to seriously affect anyone. Though a poison-ivy-like rash is *possible* on first exposure, it's almost rare. But - repeated exposure is likely to result in allergy sooner or later. And allergy isn't necessarily limited to skin reactions. A serious athsma-like (respiratory) allergy can also develop, and it can last long after the last exposure to epoxy. At worst, it can keep you from working on boats for the rest of your life. Some say that breathing epoxy fumes isn't particularly harmful, but most epoxy manufacturers say one should wear a vapor-barrier respirator when working with uncured epoxy. I try to remember to do that. It should be noted that breathing the dust from cured epoxy while sanding is even worse than breathing the fumes. Be careful with that! A HEPA filter mask is better for the dust than a vapor-barrier mask - though even a good surgical mask can provide significant protection - from the dust, not from the vapor. Last - don't forget vinegar for epoxy cleanup, of your hands, your tools, and your work space. To me, it seems more versatile than waterless hand cleaner. Undiluted dish soap works reasonably well too. Anything but acetone. Bill Hansen *************************************************************************** PaddleWise Paddling Mailing List - All postings copyright the author and not to be reproduced outside PaddleWise without author's permission Submissions: paddlewise_at_lists.intelenet.net Subscriptions: paddlewise-request_at_lists.intelenet.net Website: http://www.paddlewise.net/ ***************************************************************************
On Mar 7, 22:47, Bhansen97_at_aol.com wrote: } Subject: [Paddlewise] epoxy > > It should be noted that breathing the dust from cured epoxy while sanding is > even worse than breathing the fumes. Be careful with that! A HEPA filter mask > is better for the dust than a vapor-barrier mask - though even a good > surgical mask can provide significant protection - from the dust, not from > the vapor. >From what I understand, it's sanding incompletely cured epoxy that is a problem, not cured epoxy. Note that it takes at least several weeks to completely cure, however - epoxy is not fully cured when it first hardens. > Last - don't forget vinegar for epoxy cleanup, of your hands, your tools, and > your work space. To me, it seems more versatile than waterless hand cleaner. > Undiluted dish soap works reasonably well too. Anything but acetone. I've had very good results with isopropyl alcohol (rubbing alcohol). -- Bob Myers FirstWorld Communications, Inc. Email: bob.myers_at_firstworld.com 18101 Von Karman Avenue, Suite 550 Phone: 949-851-8250 x227 Irvine, CA 92612 Fax: 949-851-1088 http://www.firstworld.com/ *************************************************************************** PaddleWise Paddling Mailing List - All postings copyright the author and not to be reproduced outside PaddleWise without author's permission Submissions: paddlewise_at_lists.intelenet.net Subscriptions: paddlewise-request_at_lists.intelenet.net Website: http://www.paddlewise.net/ ***************************************************************************
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