Epoxy Cleanup

keelbolts · Post by **keelbolts** » Fri Sep 28, 2007 10:04 am

I'm motivated to put this up by the last two threads I just read. Most of you probably know this, but, for the newbies who don't, there is nothing better for cleaning up uncured epoxy than plain old white vinegar. I love that. We are regularly swimming in a sea of deadly chemicals and, here, you can clean up with something you can drink.

Jason K · Post by **Jason K** » Fri Sep 28, 2007 11:16 am

Plus, acetone, MEK and other harsh solvents are potent carcinogens. There was time I would wash my hands with the stuff, but no more. A sailor I sail with and against often has had kidney cancer that was linked to these solvents - a battle he's still fighting with a fraction of one kidney.

Post by **Tim** » Mon Oct 01, 2007 6:57 am

Acetone by itself is not a carcinogen, and in fact is one of the safest organic solvents. Chronic exposures in conjunction with certain other solvents (specifically chlorinated hydrocarbons) can increase the potential for liver and kidney damage, but on its own acetone is generally misunderstood as a hazard and is far safer than people think. Its extremely fast evaporation rate causes some to think that it's absorbed instantly into the skin, which is not the case.

It is highly flammable and poisonous if ingested, of course. Limiting overexposure to all chemicals by using proper safety precautions and personal protection (gloves, etc.) is a wise practice, regardless of how safe or unsafe we think they are.

Because of its strong evaporation rate, acetone fumes can quickly overwhelm without proper ventilation. Acetone also has significant drying effects on the skin, which is the number one health hazard related directly to acetone.

Hirilondë · Post by **Hirilondë** » Mon Oct 01, 2007 5:32 pm

keelbolts wrote:Most of you probably know this, but, for the newbies who don't, there is nothing better for cleaning up uncured epoxy than plain old white vinegar.

Yup, and alcohol and mineral spirits work as well.

There are definitely some dangerous chemicals used in the boating industry. My biggest worries are from 2-part paints and finishes that use isocyantes. LPUs and Bristol Finish are 2 of them. These products are both carcinogens and mutagens. And another is lacquers and its thinners which contain a lot of ingredients that end in "ene". Xylene is the most common. Most all "enes" cause central nervous system damage.

You should get a hold of the MSDS for any product you don't know well already and read them. I am always amazed by how little the packaging and labels tell you, and that dangers aren't always shown up front.

CharlieJ · Post by **CharlieJ** » Mon Oct 01, 2007 5:37 pm

Thanks Tim- I was about to say the same thing about Acetone.

Remember to - thousands of women use the stuff to remove finger nail polish every day around the world, with no harm. Cause fingernail polish remover is basically Acetone.

PGplastic · Post by **PGplastic** » Mon Oct 01, 2007 10:21 pm

Acetone: Also good for easing the forefinger-thumb clamp after supergluing two small parts together.

keelbolts · Post by **keelbolts** » Tue Oct 02, 2007 10:09 am

Thanks, Tim, for that info. I didn't know acetone was so relatively benign.

I've tried mineral spirits to clean up my tools as I'm epoxying, but not alcohol. I imagine denatured alcohol would work. If nothing else, vinegar is cheap and, often, in the pantry.

Capn_Tom · Post by **Capn_Tom** » Wed Oct 03, 2007 6:52 am

And it smells like your coloring easter eggs!

Summersdawn · Post by **Summersdawn** » Wed Oct 03, 2007 11:22 am

Vinegear is excellent for cleaning skin - put I would use alcohol or mineral spirits for cleaning metal tools, as it almost instantly causes rust on steel.