Re[2]: Varnishing my secondary.

["Tesla list" <tesla@xxxxxxxxxx>]

Original poster: Illicium Verum <sebas@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx>


Hello Nick,

Just some basic safety information about varnishing.


THE POTENTIAL HEALTH EFFECTS OF PLASTICS RESINS

Plastics resins are very hazardous because they involve working with 
the monomers which are often highly toxic.  In addition, toxic 
solvents, fillers, catalysts, etc. can be used.

Polyurethane two-component systems, including paints and expandable 
foams (AB foams), consist of a polyol component and an isocyanate 
component.  The major hazard from these polyurethane resins is from 
inhalation of the isocyanates.  Isocyanates are strong skin, eye and 
respiratory irritants and large exposures can cause chemical 
pneumonia. Chronic or repeated exposure at very low levels (parts per 
billion in air) can cause severe acute and chronic asthma.  TDI 
(toluene diisocyanate) and MDI (4,4'-methylene diphenyl diisocyanate 
or 4,4'-diphenylmethane diisocyanate) are the most toxic since they 
are the most volatile.  However, when sprayed, all isocyanates are 
extremely hazardous.  Polyurethane two-component systems can also 
contain other toxic chemicals, including solvents and irritating 
amine catalysts. Polyurethane foam resins should not be sprayed due 
to their extreme toxicity, except in a spray booth.  If absolutely 
essential, self-contained

breathing apparatus (SCBA) should be worn if a spray booth is not 
available, or the piece is too large.  SCBA should only be worn by 
personnel trained in its use. Sanding, cutting and other heating of 
finished polyurethane foam causes

decomposition of the foam to yield toxic gases such as hydrogen cyanide.

Polyester resin systems (fiberglass resins) consist of a resin, which 
contains a polyester polymer dissolved in styrene, and a hardener, 
methyl ethyl ketone peroxide (MEK peroxide), dissolved in dimethyl 
phthalate. Styrene is a strong respiratory irritant and narcotic, and 
requires very good local exhaust ventilation.  MEK peroxide is a 
strong skin irritant and can cause blindness from even a few drops 
splashed in the eye.  It is also heat and shock sensitive if the 
solvent evaporates.  The hardener should

never be mixed with acetone, since it will react with acetone to form 
the explosive acetone peroxide.

Epoxy systems include resins, glues and paints.  The epoxy resin 
itself usually contains diglycidyl ethers which are skin, eye and 
respiratory irritants and suspect carcinogens.  The epoxy hardeners 
can include amines, anhydrides and several other chemicals.  These 
chemicals cause skin irritation and allergies.


Better safe than sorry!


Sebas.








Wednesday, September 14, 2005, 11:29:06 AM, you wrote:


> Original poster: "Ralph Zekelman" 
<<mailto:gridleak@xxxxxxxxxxxxxx>gridleak@xxxxxxxxxxxxxx>


> You can buy a small can of polyurethane varnish. Try to get 10-12 coats

> smoothly applied. Try to let each coat dry thurly. You can avoid drippy

> dimples if you let the coil rotate while the varnish is drying.


> Ralph


> Original poster: "Nick D." <<mailto:ngdbud@xxxxxxxxx>ngdbud@xxxxxxxxx>


> This weekend I managed to finish winding the secondary of my smal

> Tesla coil (just over 600 turns) and now i need to varnish it. I am

> 14 and don't have a budget allowing for enough varnish to just dip a

> coil in. I am wondering if I could buy a small bottle of varnish and

> paint it on.






--

Best regards,

Sebastiaan