I am thinking of buying my first drytop with latex gaskets. I am a prolific user of sun-screen when paddling. I have heard some scary stories about latex being "dissolved" by sunscreen. Since my hands are one of the main areas I want protected with sunscreen I am sure that no matter how much I try I will get some on the gaskets. A couple of questions: 1. How fast does sunscreen react with the latex? Will washing gaskets immediately after paddling prevent damage? 2. What is the best thing to use for cleaning the gaskets? 2. Are there any sunscreen formulations which do not react with latex? 3. Is there any coating that can be applied to the gaskets that will prevent damage from sunscreen.? Mark Arnold mjamja_at_earthlink.net *************************************************************************** PaddleWise Paddling Mailing List - Any opinions or suggestions expressed here are solely those of the writer(s). You must assume the entire responsibility for reliance upon them. All postings copyright the author. Submissions: PaddleWise_at_PaddleWise.net Subscriptions: PaddleWise-request_at_PaddleWise.net Website: http://www.paddlewise.net/ ***************************************************************************
"Mark Arnold" <mjamja_at_earthlink.net> wrote: >> I am thinking of buying my first drytop with latex gaskets. I am a prolific user of sun-screen when paddling. I have heard some scary stories about latex being "dissolved" by sunscreen. Since my hands are one of the main areas I want protected with sunscreen I am sure that no matter how much I try I will get some on the gaskets [snip] Mark, as far as I know, there is no way to protect the latex from the types of sunscreen materials which hurt it. Two choices to consider: 1. Wear thin close-fitting gloves and skip the sunscreen on your hands. (This would be my first choice.) 2. Explore brands of sunscreen which do not use oily materials as a vehicle. Used to be brands which used an alcohol base to carry the sun-shielding materials to skin. The alcohol then evaporated, leaving a thin film of the sun shield. Have not seen one of these in years. -- Dave Kruger Astoria, OR *************************************************************************** PaddleWise Paddling Mailing List - Any opinions or suggestions expressed here are solely those of the writer(s). You must assume the entire responsibility for reliance upon them. All postings copyright the author. Submissions: PaddleWise_at_PaddleWise.net Subscriptions: PaddleWise-request_at_PaddleWise.net Website: http://www.paddlewise.net/ ***************************************************************************
> "Mark Arnold" <mjamja_at_earthlink.net> wrote: > > >> I am thinking of buying my first drytop with latex gaskets. I am a > prolific user of sun-screen when paddling. I have heard some scary stories > about latex being "dissolved" by sunscreen. Since my hands are one of the > main areas I want protected with sunscreen I am sure that no matter how much > I try I will get some on the gaskets [snip] > Dave Kruger wrote: > snip < > Explore brands of sunscreen which do not use oily materials as a vehicle. > Used to be brands which used an alcohol base to carry the sun-shielding > materials to skin. The alcohol then evaporated, leaving a thin film of the > sun shield. Have not seen one of these in years. > The well-known Bull Frog brand of sunscreens is alcohol-based, as is the "Lifeguard" product - see http://www.questproducts.com/faq.htm. There are no doubt others - which need to be identified by reading ingredient statement and/or looking for the words 'gel' or 'clear' or 'non-greasy' on the label. It may be best to apply sunscreen of any type some 20-30 minutes before putting on the drytop in order to minimize contact/absorption of sunscreen components onto/into the latex material. Also, Kokatat's web site recommends treating latex gaskets with 303 protectant. Erik Sprenne *************************************************************************** PaddleWise Paddling Mailing List - Any opinions or suggestions expressed here are solely those of the writer(s). You must assume the entire responsibility for reliance upon them. All postings copyright the author. Submissions: PaddleWise_at_PaddleWise.net Subscriptions: PaddleWise-request_at_PaddleWise.net Website: http://www.paddlewise.net/ ***************************************************************************
On Mar 3, 2004, at 10:50 PM, Dave Kruger wrote: > > 2. Explore brands of sunscreen which do not use oily materials as a > vehicle. > Used to be brands which used an alcohol base to carry the sun-shielding > materials to skin. The alcohol then evaporated, leaving a thin film > of the > sun shield. Have not seen one of these in years. > Coppertone has an alcohol based sunscreen that I've consistently been able to purchase at the local supermarket. It comes in a blue spray pump bottle. Nick Schade Guillemot Kayaks 824 Thompson St Glastonbury, CT 06033 USA Ph/Fx: (860) 659-8847 http://www.guillemot-kayaks.com/ *************************************************************************** PaddleWise Paddling Mailing List - Any opinions or suggestions expressed here are solely those of the writer(s). You must assume the entire responsibility for reliance upon them. All postings copyright the author. Submissions: PaddleWise_at_PaddleWise.net Subscriptions: PaddleWise-request_at_PaddleWise.net Website: http://www.paddlewise.net/ ***************************************************************************
Mark, I always use sunscreen when I wear a dry-top. I apply the sunscreen on my head, neck, hands and wrists first, and then put the dry-top on, so my latex seals are getting full doses of the sunscreen. I probably wear my dry-top 20 times a year. I think the neck gasket lasted around 3-4 years before I saw that it was getting some weak spots and needed changing. I just changed the neck gasket myself this winter. It was an evening project and not really a big deal. But having skin cancer is a big deal. I'd much rather change my gaskets occasionally than risk getting skin cancer. By the way, the wrist gaskets are still fine. Several times a year I apply 303 to help protect the latex. I don't usually rinse off my dry-top after using it. Duane Strosaker Southern California ----- Original Message ----- From: "Mark Arnold" <mjamja_at_earthlink.net> To: <paddlewise_at_paddlewise.net> Sent: Wednesday, March 03, 2004 8:59 AM Subject: [Paddlewise] Latex Gaskets & Sunscreen > I am thinking of buying my first drytop with latex gaskets. I am a prolific user of sun-screen when paddling. I have heard some scary stories about latex being "dissolved" by sunscreen. Since my hands are one of the main areas I want protected with sunscreen I am sure that no matter how much I try I will get some on the gaskets. A couple of questions: > > 1. How fast does sunscreen react with the latex? Will washing gaskets immediately after paddling prevent damage? > > 2. What is the best thing to use for cleaning the gaskets? > > 2. Are there any sunscreen formulations which do not react with latex? > > 3. Is there any coating that can be applied to the gaskets that will prevent damage from sunscreen.? > > Mark Arnold > mjamja_at_earthlink.net *************************************************************************** PaddleWise Paddling Mailing List - Any opinions or suggestions expressed here are solely those of the writer(s). You must assume the entire responsibility for reliance upon them. All postings copyright the author. Submissions: PaddleWise_at_PaddleWise.net Subscriptions: PaddleWise-request_at_PaddleWise.net Website: http://www.paddlewise.net/ ***************************************************************************
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