Safe Area to Install Fiberglass

[omaedon]

Hi Everyone,

I just wanted to ask a few quick questions about installing fiberglass in a boat that I'm trying to restore. Right now I have the boat sitting in my driveway and I'm just wondering if it's safe to work on it right next to my house. Would I be getting particulates all over my yard and house while grinding and cutting the fiberglass? Also, I hear that the resin has a very toxic smell. Does that smell subside very quickly after it cures or does it linger? I imagine that my neighbors might complain if the smells permeates the air for awhile.

My overall question is if it is safe to work on the boat in my driveway or should I find a more open area that's not close to any homes to work on it? Thank you for your help!

 

[Rickairmedic]

Re: Safe Area to Install Fiberglass

Yes its perfectly safe . Get yourself a good quality shop vac and extra filters . Keep the area cleaned up as you grind and sand . Most of us are doing our restos in our driveways or yards .


Rick

 

[chrishayes]

Re: Safe Area to Install Fiberglass

Hi Everyone,

I just wanted to ask a few quick questions about installing fiberglass in a boat that I'm trying to restore. Right now I have the boat sitting in my driveway and I'm just wondering if it's safe to work on it right next to my house. Would I be getting particulates all over my yard and house while grinding and cutting the fiberglass? Also, I hear that the resin has a very toxic smell. Does that smell subside very quickly after it cures or does it linger? I imagine that my neighbors might complain if the smells permeates the air for awhile.

My overall question is if it is safe to work on the boat in my driveway or should I find a more open area that's not close to any homes to work on it? Thank you for your help!

keep in mind that those particulates require you, and anyone near you or down wind of you to wear a particulate respirator. Not a dust mask but a cartridge style respirator. Then, those toxic smells of the resin are going to mainly affect YOU. You will want to wear a chemical respirator for this. These cartridges will fit in your particulate mask but need to be purchased seperately and typically filled with carbon. By the time the fumes rise up and out of your boat they will be highly diluted by the air above and around. It is possible and totally ok to do this in your drive but be curteous to the neighbors and at the very least tell you when you will be doing your grinding so they are not outside and once finished shop vaccing up the days dust spray down the lawn and house with the garden hose to stabilize the dust from being kicked around by wind. AND, dont let your kids or dogs play in the area till a few good storms pass by. GET A RESPIRATOR! The rest is just annoying and itchy!

 

[omaedon]

Re: Safe Area to Install Fiberglass

Thanks for the good information guys. I really appreciate it.

 

[chrishayes]

Re: Safe Area to Install Fiberglass

Oh, and one other thing. I hear that poly resin is very bad for your skin. Most advise wearing at the least rubber gloves and a long sleeve shirt. Best case is a tyvec suit that can be had for 10 bucks at your local home depot. You will want to wear that while grinding as well, it will help to keep the dust off of you and the itch down. Baby powder worked well for me, I used it on areas that would be exposed to the dust and I have never really ITCHED. THe chemical nature of poly resin is the MAIN reason I chose to use epoxy. SOme get a rash from it after prolonged exposure but you dont need to wear a respirator or worry too much about it getting on you except for having it on your knees in the hair! ask me how I know happens everytime...

 

[jonesg]

Re: Safe Area to Install Fiberglass

poly stinks but epoxy is dangerous.

I never use a mask with polyester, cept sanding. Gloves for sure, I have to use vinyl as I'm allergic to thiarum in latex , seems a lot of people are.

I had a neighbor call the fire dept when I was glassing, she thought there was a gas leak, I explained to the fire marshal what I was doing, he told her to get her furnace cleaned.

 

[Bifflefan]

Re: Safe Area to Install Fiberglass

I also take the weekend cloths to the Laundry mat. Just be on the safe side as when the wife gets to itching because of me, the whole world has a bad day.