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Category: Fiberglass

Home / Fiberglass
March 29, 2022 BY
IN Composite Blog, Fiberglass

Fiberglass Protection: How to Use Fiberglass Safely

Fiberglass is made up of microscopic molten glass fibers. The fibers that make up this material can split, leaving sharp edges, just like any other form of glass, mandating the need for fiberglass protection. Fiberglass shards that find their way onto your skin can cause minor cuts as well as excruciating itching. When working with fiberglass insulation, the only way to prevent cuts and itches is to wear fiberglass protective clothing.

Skin Irritation

When handling fiberglass insulation, steps need to be taken to prevent injuries and irritations, such as fiberglass in eyes or accidentally inhaling it. Even though the glass fibers are tiny, they are capable of causing wounds on a microscopic level. Like any broken piece of glass, these tiny fragments can penetrate skin and slash into cellular tissues, necessitating the need for fiberglass protection for the skin. Since the wound is minor, no bleeding occurs, and the consequences aren’t life-threatening.

However, in some cases, the resulting skin irritation can pose a significant risk. The brain receives pain signals from the skin’s nerves, which are interpreted as itchy sensations. Itching from fiberglass penetration can be excruciating, and in some cases, it can lead to rashes or widespread skin allergy symptoms. 

When working with fiberglass insulation, safety and aftercare measures need to be taken into consideration. You can remove a fiberglass fragment in a variety of ways. Try tightly applying a piece of duct tape to the skin where the fiberglass is if they aren’t too embedded. Hold the tape tightly in place for a few minutes, then slowly remove it. Alternatively, with decent lighting, you can try to remove the splinters with tweezers.

Vinegar is a natural, non-toxic alternative to harsh chemicals that can help dissolve a fiberglass splinter. Taking a hot shower first and then rinsing the region with vinegar is the safest way to remove fiberglass fibers. Then, to eliminate the vinegar’s taste, rinse with cold water once more.

Take an antihistamine if you have a severe reaction to fiberglass. Antihistamines can help relieve itching and skin discomfort when you have a strong reaction to fiberglass. 

Respiratory Issues

While working with insulation, it’s possible for fiberglass particles in the air may become deeply trapped in the lungs, causing severe illnesses such as asthma. When fibers are inhaled, they can cause soreness in the nose and throat and potentially lead to bronchitis. If fibers are swallowed, they can cause temporary stomach discomfort.

Fibers inhaled can be expelled from the body by sneezing or coughing, as well as the body’s natural defense mechanisms.

Personal Protective Equipment

Head

When dealing with fiberglass, wear a hat or a hood to keep the itchy little fibers out of your hair. If you’re insulating areas taller than head-height, fiberglass protection headwear is particularly necessary. Any hat will suffice as long as it is secure on your head and does not obstruct your view.

Face

Since tiny glass fibers can irritate your eyes and lungs, eye protection and a dust mask are the most important protective equipment you can wear. Choose a pair of big protective goggles that fit snugly over your eyes and around the sides. When dealing with fiberglass, you don’t need a heavy-duty filtration mask. A basic dust mask, which can be purchased at any hardware or home improvement shop, should be sufficient to prevent fiberglass particles from being inhaled.

Body

It’s incredibly easy to get fiberglass on clothes. To mitigate chances of irritation, wear a disposable coverall to shield your clothes because it’s extremely difficult to get glass fibers out of material once they’ve been embedded. For added protection, layer your coverall with long sleeves and long pants. 

Hands

Gloves are also a necessary article of clothing for fiberglass protection. Wear gardening gloves or lightweight work gloves to shield your hands from tiny fibers.  

If you take a brief break, wash your hands thoroughly whether or not you are wearing gloves while dealing with fiberglass. This will help you avoid transferring fiberglass fibers to your skin, hair, or anything else you may come into contact with.

Fiberglass in Clothes

Fiberglass in clothes can be incredibly difficult to remove. To safely clean articles of clothing, remove the clothes outside or in an environment where the particles won’t shake off into other fabrics after completing a job or a workday where you were exposed to fiberglass.

When removing clothing, keep it apart from other garments or furnishings, or the fibers will spread. It might be preferable to simply throw the clothing into an empty washing machine and wash it separately rather than combining it with other pieces.

Let Plastic Materials Answer Your Questions Fiberglass

Plastic Materials helps business people, artists, and hobbyists with these products and knows how to succeed when using resins, epoxies, and fiberglass. If you have further questions regarding fiberglass protection, we can help you. Contact us today!
March 1, 2022 BY
IN Fiberglass

How to Make Fiberglass Repairs on Boats

When boat owners find that their precious fiberglass boat has been damaged, no doubt one of the first things they think is, “I need to find a fiberglass boat repair near me.“ However, going to a boat repair specialist comes with astronomical fees of up to $3,000.

But here’s the surprising truth most boat experts won’t tell you: most repairs really aren’t that expensive. Patching a fiberglass boat can cost as little as $500 or less if you’re not afraid of some elbow grease.

This article will discuss fiberglass boat repair: how to do it yourself, how much it will cost you, and the materials you’ll need.

Fiberglass Boat Repair Overview

Before we get into the specifics of doing a boat hull repair, let’s briefly discuss the material you’ll need.

In most boats, “fiberglass” is a combination of fiberglass strands and epoxy resin, finished with a thin layer of pigmented resin called the gel coat. That outer coating gives fiberglass its sheen.

The depth of the damage will dictate how you’ll approach the repair. Is just the outer layer damaged or does the inner fiberglass core need repairs too? If it’s just the gel coating, you should be able to sand it down and apply a fresh coat. However, if the core has been damaged, it will need to be filled. You’ll know that the fiberglass core has been breached if you see fiber strands.

Fortunately, fiberglass is straightforward to repair. You can fix even the gravest of damage with relative ease and minimal expense.

Preparing for a Fiberglass Gouge Repair

If you want to achieve the best results, you should prepare the affected area for repair.

First, remove any decals or stickers on your boat using a heat gun set at the lowest setting. Gently run the heat gun over the decal and peel carefully. Use an adhesive remover to clear off any residue as needed.

You should also check the surrounding areas for delamination. If you find any it’s best to remove these spots altogether. Use a screwdriver and tap the affected fiberglass – any dull sound is a sign of delamination. These areas can cause issues down the road, so you should cut them out. Repeat this process, checking the edges of the hole and enlarging each as needed.

Fiberglass Boat Repair Cost and Materials

One question that will pop up when you start any hull touch-up project is, “how much does fiberglass repair cost?”

Fortunately, it’s relatively inexpensive to do a fiberglass repair. Boat scratches, deep gouges, and even holes can cost less than $500 in materials. If you have the required tools, then the cost might be even lower.

It’s essential that you buy and prepare everything ahead of time so the repair session goes smoothly. Here’s the equipment you’ll need to perform the repair:

  • Heat gun
  • Rotary tool
  • Disposable spray gun
  • Variable speed buffer
  • Wool buffing pad
  • Burr nose grinder bit
  • Sanding block
  • Paper cups
  • Stir stick
  • Sandpaper

Then, you’ll need materials. Most of the materials are available at any hardware store. Or, you can contact Plastic Materials Incorporated to buy everything in one convenient place.

  • Acetone
  • Gel coat (try contacting the manufacturer to match the exact color to your boat model)
  • Gel coat reducer
  • Buffing compound
  • Powdered fiberglass filler
  • Wax

Lastly, don’t forget your safety gear:

  • Safety glasses
  • Respirator
  • Chemical resistant gloves

How to Fix a Fiberglass Boat: Step-by-Step Solutions

This guide will show you how to repair deep gouges that have penetrated the fiberglass core.

  1. Use a V-shaped grinder bit to cut grooves into the gouged area. Smooth the edges of the gel coating to eliminate any sharp areas.
  2. For lighter scratches, you can use sandpaper to sand it down. Start with 80-grit sandpaper, then move a 150-grit, before finally finishing with a 240-grit.
  3. Prepare a gel coat filler in small batches. Gradually mix gel coat and powdered fiberglass together until they form a paste resembling peanut butter. Add the hardener last and mix thoroughly for a full minute to remove any resin patches.
  4. Apply the gel coat filler on the gouged areas. It’s perfectly okay, and in fact recommended, to overfill, as you will sand these spots later on.
  5. Allow the filler to cure for 1 – 2 hours. You can touch it to tell if it’s ready.. The filler should be fully hardened without a sticky texture.
  6. Prepare a batch of gel coat mixture, which consists of a gel coat, gel coat reducer, and hardener. Place it in a disposable spray gun and use short bursts to apply it over the affected area.
  7. Wait for the gel coating to cure.
  8. Finish the repair areas with sandpaper. Start with 600-grit, then move on to 800-grit. Finally, end with 1,200-grit before buffing.
  9. Re-apply any decals you want, and then wax.

A Fiberglass Boat Repair Is Easy with the Right Materials

The quality of your repair work is only as good as the materials you use, so make sure you only get the best. For everything you need, give Plastic Materials Incorporated a call. We have everything you need, from fillers to gel coatings to epoxy and polyester resins. 

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