How Do You Clean-up Your Fiberglass Dust?

[SDSeville]

Since I have been done with the demo and actually rebuilding, something always comes up and I have to grind again. I forgot to do something, it came out wrong, it sticks out a little, it?s not smooth enough (the list never ends)? Anyway, each time I wind up with a boat full of fiberglass dust. I really love what it does for my skin and eyes, but I get rid of it anyway.

I have tried a broom, a shop-vac, a hose (after everything was sealed), and a blower (yeah, sounds dumb, but I tried it). There must be a better way. I have another boat full of the stuff right now, so I thought I would ask.

What do you guys do?

 

[westexasrepublic]

Re: How Do You Clean-up Your Fiberglass Dust?

shop vac, and then use the glass with wood flour to make peanut butter to fill gaps...

 

[Woodonglass]

Re: How Do You Clean-up Your Fiberglass Dust?

I used a broom and a dust pan for the most of it with a garden sprayer to wet it down. helped a lot. I HOPE you are using a Respirator and goggles and a tyvek suit. That stuff will KILL your lungs and Eyes. And I do MEAN KILL!!!!!

I'm just sayin...

 

[erikgreen]

Re: How Do You Clean-up Your Fiberglass Dust?

Most times I recommend against using "recycled" dust for peanut butter because you don't know exactly what's mixed into it, and there can be moisture, oils, and other things. Just be aware.

My grinding/clean-up routine works like this:

1) Ensure room is sealed as much as possible
2) Turn on air filter/dust collector - 660cfm of air filtering
3) If temperatures allow, turn on the exterior vent so I have negative pressure to contain the dust in my shop
4) Wear protective gear + talc to avoid itching
5) Grind away.. if possible use grinder with vacuum attachment to suck dust

6) Clean up with shop vac, avoid blowing dust around


Dust still gets in a lot of places, but it's better to use the dust collector than to let what's in the air settle out.

Like you, I end up having to re-grind something that's not quite right a lot, plus grind to fix lumps, grind to smooth stuff, etc. It happens, and I'm a perfectionist, so I can't just leave it

The final clean-up before I paint will probably be done with the garage door open and lots of effort made to get all the dust off the boat. Then the boat goes outside and I use water and a vacuum to clean out the garage



Erik

 

[SDSeville]

Re: How Do You Clean-up Your Fiberglass Dust?

Yeah, I borrowed a respirator for the demo and then returned it. Since then, I have been using the t-shirt over your head, dust mask, and hold your breath method for 15 to 20 second grinds.

 

[RobbyA]

Re: How Do You Clean-up Your Fiberglass Dust?

Yeah, I borrowed a respirator for the demo and then returned it. Since then, I have been using the t-shirt over your head, dust mask, and hold your breath method for 15 to 20 second grinds.

Your life vs. a $30.00 Respirator? Dude a T-shirt and dust mask is not going to cut the mustard! Those particles remain in the air for a while.

If you continue doing that, build a spot on your boat for an oxygen tank because that is the only way you will be enjoying your rebuild in a few years.

 

[badkins50]

Re: How Do You Clean-up Your Fiberglass Dust?

I would invest in a respirator. I think I paid like $20 or 30 for mine. Your lungs will thank you later. I also taped off long sleeves and pants and left the shop vac running while cutting and to clean up with then used my leaf blower and finally hosed everything out. Have fun.

 

[Woodonglass]

Re: How Do You Clean-up Your Fiberglass Dust?

Like my son tells me now, the older he becomes the SMARTER I GET. Buy a respirator!!!!!! When you are OLD like me you'll thank me!!!

I'm just sayin...

 

[SDSeville]

Re: How Do You Clean-up Your Fiberglass Dust?

Your life vs. a $30.00 Respirator? Dude a T-shirt and dust mask is not going to cut the mustard! Those particles remain in the air for a while.

If you continue doing that, build a spot on your boat for an oxygen tank because that is the only way you will be enjoying your rebuild in a few years.

I know, I know... It wasn't the cost. It was laziness and inexperience. I truly thought I was done grinding. Then each time I did need to grind I assumed it will be a 10 second grind and I could sneak away without breathing anything in. I am surely done grinding now though. Carpet is going in this weekend.

I am not too versed on fiberglass dust, but I am an avid runner and hope that will help expel some of what I may have breathed in.

 

[lrcustom]

Re: How Do You Clean-up Your Fiberglass Dust?

To everyone.

Fiberglass dust is bad. I found myself this summer with serious lung issues that the Dr. is certain was the dust. Yes I wore a suit and resperator but the dust is every where and every time you do anything you will stir it up. I too thought a quick grind or sanding would be fine. It was not. The Dr. explained that it gets in and does not easily get out. I am fine now but the lungs are damaged. Not tryin to scare anyone (yes I am) but it is absolutly impairative that you use all possible precautions with this stuff. Even when cleaning up. My little episode cost me 2 months not getting done with the project.

Lets be safe doing this work. Its too enjoyable to ruin it by being unsafe.

LR

 

[SDSeville]

Re: How Do You Clean-up Your Fiberglass Dust?

Sorry to hear that LR. That is scary. I am glad you are feeling better.

With that being said, I am going to hose the stuff out of my boat today. Everything is sealed and the boat is tilted back. While I am at it I will hose down my entire side yard and all my equipment. I am glad to be done with the grinding and will certainly buy a respirator if I ever need to do any more fiberglass work.

 

[erikgreen]

Re: How Do You Clean-up Your Fiberglass Dust?

One more comment - the dust that gets in your lungs almost never comes out. Basically if you contract pneumonia or another lung infection (which is more likely because of the gunk that's in there) then your lungs may generate enough phlegm and you may cough hard enough to get some of it out.

Regular running, swimming, breathing, whatever generally won't remove it.

If you want to know the long term effects of breathing a lot of fiberglass dust, do a google search for "silicosis".

Note that in addition to breathing in the dust particles you can also breathe in epoxy particles, which accelerates your development of a sensitivity to the hardener.

Keep it out in the first place

Erik

 

[Yacht Dr.]

Re: How Do You Clean-up Your Fiberglass Dust?

Hello SD..

The answer to your question would be hard to do.

There are many environmental reasons to be able to vac and blow.. vac and wet down..then vac.. It would depend not only for your family ( dont do the blow out meathod in your garage ) but for the others around you.

Vac out as much as possible..wipe down with a damp cotton rag if you have to go " IN there" again to help with glass gettin in your suit ( aye the putting baby powder ALL over you and your suit will help ALOT ).

Grinding in confines requires more then a respo..or a dust mask..

Ive had shards of glass go into goggles ( even taped holes on the sides ) go into my eyes ... the EYES ..

If you are going into confined places use this PLEASE !!

http://multimedia.3m.com/mws/mediawebserver?mwsId=66666UuZjcFSLXTtNXMX5XM_EVuQEcuZgVs6EVs6E666666--

Not only do you help yourself with your resto..you can use this for Emergancy for some kind of .. erm.. other attacks..erm..

So Vac while grinding.. Vac when done.. wipe down with water rags ..

Please do not expose your neighbors with dust .. ( on a nice day get a peice of mat and tear it in half .. you can see all those glass particles just floating away into someone elses yard eh ? ).

YD.

 

[SDSeville]

Re: How Do You Clean-up Your Fiberglass Dust?

Thanks YD. That is exactly the respirator I used for the demo. I guess I should have kept a little longer.

 

[Yacht Dr.]

Re: How Do You Clean-up Your Fiberglass Dust?

Also .. for ALL that does Grinding .. should use this mask with a good pair of EAR MUFFS !!

They will help your fatigue and you can also listen in on your Close by talkers they think your grinding and cant hear anything

Put ear buds in your MUFFS ( not simple earplugs ) and you can work all day long...

YD.