Does anybody have a better way to get the fiberglass dust out of the interior of the boat. Everything seems impregnated with the "itch" Dry clean the upholstry?
Fiberglass repair dust
- Thread starter Bw whisper
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Probably will not work. I took a nap on my bed sheets once after working on the boat. Whèn I went to bed that night I itched all night. Tried washing the sheets a dozen times, finally had to throw them out. An expensive lesson learned. Nasty stuff.
Depends on the fabric but at the very least a thorough vacuum with a rotating brush and a HEPA filter (or you'll be blowing it right back out). That said, I've found the only thing that works consistently well is the washing machine. Even then, if the fabric has a nappy loop finish, it'll be tough.
Something called a Mister Sticky is handy. It is for lint removal and pet hair. Youe can wash it in soapy water to restore its sticky properties. Otherwise, wrap masking tape around your hand (sticky side out) and go around patting down surfaces. Works on your skin to. Then follow the advice above concerning washing.
A lesson I have leaned the hard way. Before grinding on fiberglass - remove everything from boat if possible. The dust gets everywhere - and I mean everywhere. Even into closed lockers.
After I finish the glass work, on every surface I vacuum, broom, vacuum again, and wipe down TWICE with a damp sponge constantly changing the water. Even then some may escape my efforts. Wear a dust mask at least.
Every spring after my round of repairs I have to deal with this.
After I finish the glass work, on every surface I vacuum, broom, vacuum again, and wipe down TWICE with a damp sponge constantly changing the water. Even then some may escape my efforts. Wear a dust mask at least.
Every spring after my round of repairs I have to deal with this.
I used plastic drop cloths and made little rooms around the areas I was grinding. Full face respirator is mandatory. Really cut down on the dust in the rest of the boat. I was removing chainplates embedded in the deck.
Of course I didn't think about doing that until after I had already covered most of the interior of the boat with fiberglass dust.
I also used a hepa filter to get the dust out of the air after I was done grinding to make the air more breathable more quickly.
Of course I didn't think about doing that until after I had already covered most of the interior of the boat with fiberglass dust.
I also used a hepa filter to get the dust out of the air after I was done grinding to make the air more breathable more quickly.
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Last winter I re cored my cabin roof. I have an 8.5 S2 with carpet on all bulkheads. I thought I could contain the dust with plastic drop cloths. I was wrong!! I used most of the above methods, but I have some additional suggestions.
First a shop vac with a hepa filter is essential! However the exhaust from the vac will continue to spread the dust around your boat. Buy a second hose and blow the exhaust out side the cabin. Remember its filtered, so you are not blowing the dust out side. You are just keeping the vac exaust from disturbing the settled dust in the cabin.
Second. After multiple vacuuming sessions and wiping woodwork. RENT A RUG DOCTOR and the upholstery tool. You will also need to buy the upholstery cleaner!!! The upholstery cleaner is not a soap it is a fiber rinse. Fiber rinse neutralizes soap and help the fibers release the dust.
The method: follow the directions for set up and adding the cleaning solution to the rinse water. You can either use to upholstery tool to mist the coushion until it is damp ( not dripping) then vacuum the water out. Or hold the trigger on the upholstery tool and pull (never push) the tool across the cushion. It is a good idea to go over the cushion with out pulling the trigger to suck out as much water as possible. The cushions should dry in less than an hour.
I went on a 18 day cruise and never iched after sleeping on my cushions!!! ( I also spent a year working as a carpet and upholstery cleaning technican)
First a shop vac with a hepa filter is essential! However the exhaust from the vac will continue to spread the dust around your boat. Buy a second hose and blow the exhaust out side the cabin. Remember its filtered, so you are not blowing the dust out side. You are just keeping the vac exaust from disturbing the settled dust in the cabin.
Second. After multiple vacuuming sessions and wiping woodwork. RENT A RUG DOCTOR and the upholstery tool. You will also need to buy the upholstery cleaner!!! The upholstery cleaner is not a soap it is a fiber rinse. Fiber rinse neutralizes soap and help the fibers release the dust.
The method: follow the directions for set up and adding the cleaning solution to the rinse water. You can either use to upholstery tool to mist the coushion until it is damp ( not dripping) then vacuum the water out. Or hold the trigger on the upholstery tool and pull (never push) the tool across the cushion. It is a good idea to go over the cushion with out pulling the trigger to suck out as much water as possible. The cushions should dry in less than an hour.
I went on a 18 day cruise and never iched after sleeping on my cushions!!! ( I also spent a year working as a carpet and upholstery cleaning technican)
Bw,
It would be helpful if we had the reason for your dust. Was it a repair job & if so, what were you repairing & how was this dust created?
Aside from this, if I have to sand fiberglass, I have my Wet Vac ready & turned on. It helps if you have someone directing the nozzle but if not, you can still set it up close to vacuum & this will save alot of cleanup effort.
Also remember to wear breathing & eye protection. Some of my friends that have worked with fiberglass have alot of breathing problems like COPD. Fiberglass are tiny shards of glass that imbed into your lungs & eyes when airborne.
Take precautions. It would also help if you wet sand & not dry sand.
CR
It would be helpful if we had the reason for your dust. Was it a repair job & if so, what were you repairing & how was this dust created?
Aside from this, if I have to sand fiberglass, I have my Wet Vac ready & turned on. It helps if you have someone directing the nozzle but if not, you can still set it up close to vacuum & this will save alot of cleanup effort.
Also remember to wear breathing & eye protection. Some of my friends that have worked with fiberglass have alot of breathing problems like COPD. Fiberglass are tiny shards of glass that imbed into your lungs & eyes when airborne.
Take precautions. It would also help if you wet sand & not dry sand.
CR
If you use a wet vac for dust control it helps a lot to invest in a HEPA filter for it. Much of the fiberglass dust is visible but it's the small stuff that's most injurious to your lungs and will go through a standard filter like it's not even there and blast out the exhaust to settle everywhere.
I put a 12' hose on my shop vac. It never comes inside the boat. No blowing dust around, and you can even hear yourself think.
