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Melamine fumes

Margo

Full Member
Joined
May 25, 2020
Posts
73
Location
England
First Name
Margo
Melamine users - do any of you thin it down and find it reduces the fumes?

I like the finish, I'm happy with how to use it... But even with a good mask and using it outside for the best ventilation I can get, it makes me feel sick and headachey as soon as I get the lid off.

I'm fine with everything else I've used, sanding sealer, thinners, waxes, polishes etc. But melamine is just awful! :sob:
 

pittswood

Fellow
Joined
Mar 14, 2016
Posts
1,251
Location
Rhigos, South Wales
First Name
Kelvin
Never had any problems using mine. My melamine drys within seconds, so you should not get much from that. Could it be an out of date batch? If I use CA, I do get a stinging in my eyes. Ask Phil if he's had any problems with his.
Kelvin
 

Phil Dart

Moderator
Executive Member
Joined
Nov 28, 2014
Posts
5,455
Location
Colebrooke, Devon
First Name
Phil
Ask Phil if he's had any problems with his.
I haven't, no. I find the slight smell of melamine lacquer completely innocuous, and "fumes" is not a word I've ever associated with it, which is another major plus in its favour as far as I'm concerned. Everyone's different though, so melamine might not be the finish for you it seems [MENTION=2240]Margo[/MENTION]
 

fortress

Registered
Joined
Apr 11, 2016
Posts
5,178
Location
Astley
First Name
John
Just like the others, never had a problem with it Margo. CA does have fumes that need to be avoided.
 

Margo

Full Member
Joined
May 25, 2020
Posts
73
Location
England
First Name
Margo
Maybe it's just me then!

CA doesn't bother me. The melamine was bought new a few weeks ago - direct from chestnut.

Thanks for the replies folks :thumbs:
 

Dalboy

Executive Member
Joined
Mar 20, 2014
Posts
7,679
Location
Kent
First Name
Derek
I think the thing to remember that different things affect people in different ways. Either carry on using it outside or if you have an extractor system that can be pointed outside place the inlet hose near the work so it extracts the smell from where you are working.
 

Neil Lawton

Longlocks
Fellow
Joined
Dec 26, 2013
Posts
3,115
Location
York
First Name
Neil
Melamine can be thinned with cellulose thinners but they would probably just make it smell stronger!
 

Curly

Graduate Member
Joined
Nov 3, 2019
Posts
421
Location
RM of Aberdeen, Saskatchewan, Canada
First Name
Peter
You should be wearing at least a half mask with new organic vapour cartridges. When done using the melamine get out of the room and then remove the mask and either put the whole thing in a sealed container or remove the cartridges and put them into the container. Cartridges absorb stuff from the air all the time so you can't leave the mask sitting on a shelf or next time the cartridges will be done. If when you wear your mask you smell anything it isn't fitting properly (or the cartridges need replacing) and you need a different size or another make that fits your face properly. A good firm selling masks can fit test them on you to get the right one. I hope it goes without saying Margo that you need to be clean shaven like your husband to get a proper seal. :wink:

Pete
 

Penpal

Grand Master
Joined
May 26, 2013
Posts
25,340
Location
Canberra AUSTRALIA
First Name
Peter
I have a 12 inch fan to atmosphere in addition to my downdraft ones,takes care of fumes connected to an in line fan.

No probs from stray fumes.


PEter.
 
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