Epoxy allergies - options?

Discussion in 'Fiberglass and Composite Boat Building' started by Lady Sophie, Dec 13, 2012.

  1. masalai
    Joined: Oct 2007
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    masalai masalai

    I am advised that it is the "amines (hardners?)" that caused damage in my case - SHUT DOWN THE Pancreas - look that up in google and assess your live expectancy when that happens... - It seems a peaceful and painless way to die - - - - BUT I AN NOT READY TO GO YET :!: Please be careful and cautious, state the reason for your dislike in using the stuff and PAY SOMEONE ELSE TO RISK HIS / HER LIFE...
     
  2. PAR
    Joined: Nov 2003
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    PAR Yacht Designer/Builder

    The toxicity of epoxy is fairly well documented folks. We it's fully cured, it's just a particulate issue, but most of us work with uncured materials. I've worked with epoxy for decades and though some brands are worse than others, simple precautions are all that's necessary, unless working in confined, unventilated spaces or spraying. Most everyone I've met that has developed a sensitivity to it, has also admitted to being a bonehead about the safety equipment. If you intentionally eat it, smear it on your skin or ingest it through your personal favorite orifices, you can't really be too surprised with a reaction.

    I have a mild sensitivity to some brands after e decades of use. Low blush formulations are better than others in this regard, but I too have to admit I've been covered in yet fully cured dust, not worn a mask each and every time and have managed to smear it on just about every body part (yes, including that one too), so I understand the realities of epoxy.
     
  3. BPL
    Joined: Dec 2011
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    BPL Senior Member

    Are there epoxy-sensitivity symptoms to watch for before you get a rash?
     
  4. OFFSHORE GINGER
    Joined: Nov 2011
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    Location: Mich

    OFFSHORE GINGER Junior Member

    I, am so sorry to hear that ...considering we both live two worlds a-part , and not to mention that i have been been working , and using Epoxy for over thirty plus years now , actually more ..........almost 40 , but who's counting ( ????? ) ....................with no apparent proplems ( health ) what so ever , and will continue to use at this point in time . God bless , and happy holdays .
     
  5. masalai
    Joined: Oct 2007
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    Location: cruising, Australia

    masalai masalai

    Hi Offshore,
    No need to express sorrow/sympathy, - I failed to understand the risks and felt no pain or discomfort, just had no energy or inclination do do anything until a blood sample was taken and analysed, and my system was purged and given a chance to fully recover... I did not believe it until I was told that "If I came back to hospital with the same complaint I would leave in a coffin" - So that woke me up and I paid close attention and was ALWAYS 5 ft upwind of any mixing and laying of wet GRP... and paid to have others do that work - - IT BLOODY HURTS THE SOUL, to watch and not be able to get in amongst the action...
     
  6. tunnels

    tunnels Previous Member

    I have the same problem with Teak timber, the oil in the teak is the thing i have to keep away from . I used to love working with Teak ,was and still is my favorite wood but its a killer . even the smell is enough to get me going so have to keep completely away .
    So i stepped into Composites i know the dangers of Epoxy so i dont go there . Poly and vinyl ok so thats me 100%
    My love of boats and boating is to great to give it up completely !!:D
     
  7. Frosty

    Frosty Previous Member

    Wel,---l I love epoxy --I honestly like the smell, and I sniff it.
     
  8. tunnels

    tunnels Previous Member

    Epoxy ! its over priced !! overrated !! and not the magic repair anything goo !!yuk !

    I have never had to ever use epoxy for anything i make of repair . its very overrated and people thinks it a magic fix all but its no . first is its difficulties with mixing the right proportions and getting it right then there the temprature to make it cure properly . oh sure it goes hard but how hard . so many boats ive seen were guys have done the old brush it on and its dribbled and eventually peeled off , I dont like epoxy at all for anything !!
     
  9. BPL
    Joined: Dec 2011
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    BPL Senior Member

    Would these guys have succeeded with polyester or was the problem not roughing up the surface?

    And are more epoxy failures getting the proportion wrong, or not mixing it thoroughly enough? West sells small 1:1 ratio bottles that are really easy to get the ratio correct.
     
  10. tunnels

    tunnels Previous Member

    the measuring of epoxys is a major problem . there to many differant mixes . 5 to 1 , 4 to 1 and then 1 to 1 some by weight and some by volumn
    thats crazy all these differant measurements . epoxy is no where near as forgiving as what polyester is . Temprature plays a big part in its eventual cure , as well as its workability . i keep away from its as much as possible even small jobs i prefer to use polyester !!. yes the prep for any repair work is critical simply wiping with acetone is never going to work must be sanded with a coarse sand paper !:p
     
  11. Steve W
    Joined: Jul 2004
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    Steve W Senior Member

    Tunnels, epoxy and polyester are not even comparable, i agree that epoxy is over used and just not neccesary for a lot of repairs but there are also a lot of repairs that you simply can not do with poly. The measuring of epoxy is a non issue, i personally prefer to use 2:1 ratio epoxies and avoid the silly 5:1 ratios, you can mix any of them by weight or volume, your choice, anyone who cant mix 2:1 should not be allowed in the shop and most epoxies will cure at lower temps than poly.
     
  12. michael pierzga
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    michael pierzga Senior Member

    All boatbuilding is total sensory assault. The last workday before the holiday was pouring down with rain. Not possible to climb out of the boat for a break and stretch you legs without getting soaked ,so I cruised over to the boat shed to skive. After five minutes of standing around telling sea stories, my nose was running and my throat was scratchy. The carpenters were milling cedar boards that week. I escaped the cedar dust in the boat shed and hung out in the machinist room. When I got back to the boat I had take off my shoes and pull metal shavings out of my feet.

    Sensory assault.
     
  13. rwatson
    Joined: Aug 2007
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    rwatson Senior Member

    yes it is ! Everything from Airbus giant planes, to gliders to boats to car parts. Its not only magic - but seriously userful magic.


    Oh what a load of codswallop ! Compared to Poly its a breeze to measure. The job of getting a few percent of catalyst to a bucket of Poly goo is tediius and time consuming. its much easier to be able to measure out two large dollops of 3;1, or 2:1 or 5;1 exactly, than fritzing around with an eyedropper to a big bucket.

    Temperature is not an issue unless you are in some frozen wastes too cold for a human to work in.

    more nonsense ! If you dont prepare properly, it will peel like anything else. Go and check out all the rotting Poly covered dinghys along the marinas for an unfriendly wood covering substance.

    I have weather exposed epoxy covered wooden projects that are over 7 years old, and only required the odd touch up for the sake of good looks.
     
  14. PAR
    Joined: Nov 2003
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    PAR Yacht Designer/Builder

    I have to agree with every point just made. Epoxy is over used by some, but not over rated. In fact, it's physical properties are so adaptable, that it's used in every industry. You can't name one that it isn't.

    Epoxy mixtures can be off a fair amount, unlike polys and you'll still get a cure.

    The "hardness" of epoxy is well known and easily obtainable. It's physical properties are so far superior, that several building methods, across several industries, just can't exisit without it. As far as crappy applications, well you can get that in any material and it's not the goo's fault, someone screwed the prep or application. You can paint a boat with a bucket of tempera and a wire brush, but it's not the fault of these products, that causes the results you get.

    I just don't get the poly guys anymore. They cling to technology that is nearly 3/4's of a century old and think it's still the cat's meow. We have epoxy gelcoat now, so the handwriting is clearly on the wall in regard to polys. These new epoxy gelcoats are higher gloss, easier to apply, have higher gloss retention, are tougher, stronger, smoother and tolerate more abuse longer. Good luck keeping up using poly, as the high end products have already switched, relegating poly to bath tub liners and well head pressure vessels, which is where they belong really - cheap, fast to produce, by unskilled labor with low cost materials and limited avenues of return, on unremarkable product lines.
     

  15. DGreenwood
    Joined: Aug 2004
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    DGreenwood Senior Member

    When your opinions are driven by anecdotal brushes with random events instead of careful consideration of data collected by success driven industries whose goal is making strong light products, well you tend to fall behind a little.
     
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