I'm affiliated with Jacques but I don't speak for him. I don't sell
epoxy either but here's what I can tell you: Polyester is some nasty
stuff to work with. Lots of fumes, more tempermental to improper mixing
ratios, etc. 2-part marine epoxy is also a superior product as far as
protecting your boat. Like any glue product, if you sniff the fumes long
enough, you'll get a headache.

System Three offers some excellent information in their tech data. You
have to register to download the .pdfs though. I've been registered with
them for some time and don't get spammed. I'm partial to their products
because of the excellent information and quick response to inquiries.
Again, I'm not a retailer of thier products, I'm just passing along my
experience.

I have heard of some people developing sensitivety. I'm no expert, but
the info I've read from people with this problem says spend the extra
couple of bucks for System Three, West, or a few others of the
estblished brands. They seem to have less of an occurance of reaction.

Wearing gloves and barrier cream (found at your local autoparts store)
has also helped those who are afflicted. I used barrier cream when I was
an aircraft mechanic in the Air Force. It did a great job protecting my
skin from jet fuels and hydraulic fluid. I imagine it'll do fine with epoxy.

That's all the info I know. Hope this helps.

Matt Langenfeld
JEM Watercraft
http://jem.e-boat.net/


Backyard Renegade wrote:

"Meindert Sprang" wrote in message ...


"Backyard Renegade" wrote in message
.com...


Matt Langenfeld wrote in message


link.net...


West, Raka. System Three, E-poxy..all these are 2-part epoxies and are
not polyester. Not fumes. There is a smell but no worse than normal


glue.


What has not been addressed here is the difference between
inconvienience and problem... Polyester smells, yes that is an
inconvienience. The fumes emitted from curing epoxy although they may
not smell, are in many cases dangerous and should be addressed as well
as or even more than the smell of polyester curing. I still wear a
full "bugface" mask and gloves when using epoxy, and I do not use it
in attached areas of my home, at least not on a regular basis.


As far as I know, epoxy does not produce dangerous fumes. I remember a story
in this newsgroup about an environmental inspector, visiting a boatyard. The
man was eager to inspect the place and and write a nasty report. He then
learned the yard used epoxy only, and went away immediately, very
dissapointed.

Meindert



I hear lot's of stories... Like them at night before bed. But when it
comes to epoxy hardeners, most are extremely hazardous. Read the
lables, talk to the people who have developed real sensitivities to
the stuff, ask the DEP, ask the shippers, christ, read the F88888'
lable... Epoxy fumes are dangerous and many contain carsenogenics
(spelling not checked)... Do not use epoxy in areas where unprotected
folks will be exposed to the fumes.

Come on Paul Oman, Jaques, et al... You have been here in this group
for years, selling glues, answering carefully targeted questions, and
also sending me emails about your products. Where the hell are you
now, tell these guys what is more dangerous, polyester or epoxy. You
are an epoxy dealer, come on in on this one and give us some facts,
that's what you do isn't it? Where is Jaques, where is Kern (of course
he has been gone for a while) but wtf are the epoxy sellers on this
soooooo important thread?

Scotty Ingersoll, SmallBoats.com...