Safety concerns laying glass

[craze1cars]

Any safety tips for a first-timer preparing to glass in a new engine box?<br /><br />I'm conscious of the dangers of glass dust and I'm able to control that with gloves and a quality dust respirator, but what about the toxic fumes? I plan to do this project over winter in an enclosed heated garage and would prefer to live a long healthy life vs. ending up with a very nice boat and large lung or brain tumors.<br /><br />Specific product recommendations for "safer" brands/types of resin are appreciated, as well as recommendations for brand/type of respirator that I should purchase or rent for this project.

 

[JasonJ]

Re: Safety concerns laying glass

If you wear a good respirator with filters rated for chem use, wear full clothing and gloves that do not allow saturation, and protect your eyes, you'll be alright. Epoxy has a lot less fumes than poly resin, but skin exposure is still a concern. If you spend at least $40 for a respirator, you are going in the right direction. Good luck....

 

[18rabbit]

Re: Safety concerns laying glass

I’m reviewing the chemical safety warning/notices for all the chemistry I use. I was just reading something about the fumes from poly resin and I’m thinking I haven’t been taking any of this stuff seriously enough. I always wear a mask when sanding, jump suit, eye protection. But the fumes never got the consideration they should have…for any of the products (I use epoxy resin). What caught my attention was the statement “do you want a little poisoning or a lot of poisoning?” … and thinking about what it does to the liver. Probably best to follow the directions on the label and get a quality respirator like JasonJ suggests. Also pointed out was “well ventilated” is another way of saying “spray booth” or equivalent.

 

[BillP]

Re: Safety concerns laying glass

A precaution used in the fiberglass trade is to ventillate with a tunnel effect. Fan sucking air from the boat to the outside. With a fresh air sourch on the opposite side of the boat to keep a laminar flow.

 

[Tinkerer]

Re: Safety concerns laying glass

Sounds silly, but shave the same day you fit the respirator. I've been on holidays and shaving only every few days. I was spray painting last night with a few days growth and a respirator on but I ended up with two strong paint lines on each side of my face: one a bit inside the respirator line and one around the corners of my mouth well inside the mask. The paint was mainly on whisker growth which was acting as a spacer to keep the mask off my skin. <br /><br />I thought I was inhaling fumes and checked the mask a couple of times but decided it was just a strong solvent I was smelling. <br /><br />Wrong. Didn't realise I had paint on my face until the love of my life pointed it out.<br /><br />Could be serious with bad stuff.

 

[CTD]

Re: Safety concerns laying glass

Most chemical cartridges are only good for about 8 hours once opened. With milder chemicals like fiberglass you can probably use them much longer. Store the respirator in a zip lock bag after cleaning it. If you smell the resin with it on its not working. I have only used them when working in the boat with poor ventilation, outside in an open area I don't use one but I only do fiberglassing once ever few years and ususlly small jobs. What you do is up to you.

 

[Boomyal]

Re: Safety concerns laying glass

I don't recall ever smelling any fumes while using epoxy resin in an enclosed area??

 

[Lou C]

Re: Safety concerns laying glass

I used both CPES and epoxy in my floor repair a couple of years ago. I used a fume respirator, goggles, and chem rated gloves. Plus all the work was done outside, with the cover off the boat. You have to use all the protection. Epoxy doesn't smell that bad, but still can be harmful. I have heard of people developing strong allergic reactions to it after sustained exposure. CPES has a very strong oder because of the carrier solvents in it. Too bad all the stuff you need to maintain boats is so bad for you!! (poly, epoxy, bottom paint, etc)

 

[BillP]

Re: Safety concerns laying glass

You can't go wrong with 3M respirators. I use a 5100 series for glasswork and painting. Here's a number listed on 3M cartridges for respirator/cartridge info and use. 1-800-243-4630. Buy one and use it for the rest of your life.

 

[Chris1956]

Re: Safety concerns laying glass

In addition, the solvents used and the resins are highly flammable. No smoking and no open flames.