I have just built my 4th rod. But the last three rods I built I kept breaking out in a rash and my eye swole shut with the last one. Is it the graphite? I have been told no. I have been told it is the epoxy. Am I odd or is this common and if so what epoxy should I try. I dont want to quit building rods. Please help

Scott

I belive it envolves all epoxies. I have a friend who is so allergic he can't spend 5 minutes around the stuff a his eyes swell shut. I get a skin rash so I ware rubber gloves
Good Wraps Bob

- I am also allergic to epoxy. I am told it is very common. In my case it is the fumes from the hardener and contact with the mixed epoxy.
- So the first thing I tried to do was to avoid epoxy entirely which was only partially successful. Nothing but epoxy will give good results on reel seats and cork handles (I haven't done EVA handles). I know all about the fans of other products but I haven't found one of them to hold up to close scrutiny. I have done the research and the experimentation and I am convinced.
- My solution to this, for handles and reel seats, is fairly simple: rubber gloves and lots of ventilation. All my glueing is now done on the workbench out in the garage with a jury rig fume hood consisting of some plastic sheeting and a fan blowing lots of air across the work and towards the open door. I also use rubber gloves and keep the nasty stuff off my skin. I keep alcohol and paper towels handy for when I make a mistake. I use Rod Bond and have no more problems with the adhesive. I also wash thoroughly when I finish.
- Finishing wraps, inscriptions, etc. is a different situation. There are excellent non-epoxy finishes and that's good because all that moving air just won't do. My favorite is Crystal Coat, a two part non-epoxy finish. I also like Permagloss. Neither one causes me the slightest allergy problem and I get excellent results consistently. Since they are not epoxy the rules for each one are different but not too hard to learn.
- So don't quit building rods.

You can also try those paper filters that painters use when painting a car. You can get them at Home Depot

Scott, you might try varnishes for the wraps.