A good respirator with filters specifically for Organic Vapours will make working with these chemicals easier. Note that this is more than just a particulate filter, the organic vapours filter will block some of the resin fumes from getting through to your lungs, and the acid gas aspect of the filter filter may block some of the MEKP fumes.

Note that some fumes will still get through the filter, and these particular respirators only help. You may also want to use a fan to direct air away, or a more advanced air supply if you work with chemicals regularly.
{{Template:BreathingProtection}}
===Tips/Techniques===
====Safety Goggles Fit Better Over A Respirator Than Glasses====
These respirators, while very good, are not designed for use with traditional safety glasses you might find at the big box hardware stores. The seal around the cheeks and nose may cause a slightly off fit (depending on the glasses of course). This means that there is more of an opening for debris to get into your eyes. Usually the glasses are offset slightly high, causing the bottom opening to be unacceptably large.

See the page on [[Safety Goggles]] for more details on the proper Goggles to purchase.

====Goggles are Often Necessary Protection as Well====
A proper gas mask will protect you from breathing vapours, but consider that your eyes are also vulnerable to noxious gases, or especially splashing (from chemicals such as [[Methyl Ethyl Ketone Peroxide]]). You can either purchase a gas mask + goggle combination where they are all one piece or you can separate them out in a modular fashion (which I prefer) so the goggles can be replaced if they get scratched. The benefit of using goggles is that they don't generally need any ventilation, so they can have a rubber seal.

So not only do goggles fit better around the respirator, but they may be necessary, if there are any strong vapours.

====Get the Right Filters for your Application====
Respirators, are a must get for working with chemicals. There are a few different filters that cover 'organic vapours'. This particular one (#7300) also covers acid gas, so it will help block some noxious acid gases (such as MEKP). For more information about different filters to purchase, see something like the [https://web.archive.org/web/https://www.moldex.com/pdf/datasheets/chemicalselectionguide.pdf Chemical Compatibility Chart] which details what filters are applicable for what chemicals.
====Gas Masks do not block 100% of vapor====
These particular respirators (or gas masks) do not block all vapors. You may have a false sense of security thinking that you are protected but this is not the case. For full breathing protection, you will need a seperate air supply. If you only work with casting resins a handful of times, you may be fine to skip advanced breathing protection, but on the other hand, if you are working with these on a regular basis, then you should consider doing something additional. I am referring to the actual casting of the resin. As for working with the cured parts, such as sanding or grinding, I don't have enough experience there to make a call, but I would assume it is similar.

It all depends upon how much you are using these materials. If you are working 9-5 in a resin shop, or even if it's one day a week over years you may see some damage if you are exposed to the resin and don't wear any protection (or even just a respirator). Note that the curing resin seems to be the most noxious (once you have added MEKP). Base resin without MEKP or catalyst added is a bit easier to deal with.
====Change Mask Filters on a Regular Basis====
This goes with the previous recommendation. It's to be assumed that older filters will not work as well as newer ones. You can write the day, month, and year on each filter with a marker to keep track.

2026-09-06T08:14:26Z

Advance: /* Steps */

This is a similar usage case to [[Anchoring_Cement_Application]], however, in this case, instead of using a dedicated anchoring product for this, we are simply using excess gelcoat. Polyester resin is a strong enough adhesive for small jobs, and in this scenario, the goal is to get pegboard on a concrete wall. Since this is a low weight, non critical application (i.e. the weight of pegboard with tools is minimal, and this is indoors), we can get away with using any leftover gelcoat or polyester resin.

This is a good use of leftover resin.

==Items Needed==
* Extra Resin or Gelcoat
* Catalyst
* Mixing Cup
* Popsicle Stick
* Syringe
* Rags
* Acetone

For this type of application, you will want to use a syringe that has an opening large enough to work with the relatively viscous gelcoat or resin. Using [[Catalyst_Measuring_Syringes]] might not work, as catalyst is thinner. You may try cutting a thinner syringe near the end with a pair of pliers. For a small job, it should suffice.

For this tutorial, we will assume you have already drilled the necessary holes in the wall. Also, we will assume you have the necessary threaded rod or bolts prepared (in this case, I cut 1/4" bolts with a bandsaw to make them usable).

==Steps==

# When working with a syringe and resin, you will find that it tends to spill down the wall. You will make a bit of a mess. Therefore, start by putting some rags down on the floor.
# Note that even with rags, this process will be messy, and likely the wall will get some resin on it. Acetone can be used to cleanup afterwards, but it's not perfect. You wouldn't want to do this on an important wall, without proper prep. That may involve covering off any areas you don't want to get resin on. Or, you might paint over the resin after. For this example, I am not concerned as much with the gelcoat as it is going to be covered up.
# If you are putting bolts on the wall, you probably want to cover them with tape to avoid getting resin in the threads (or you can use a wire wheel afterwards).
# Mix the resin with catalyst in the mixing cup.
# Use the syringe to draw in some of the premixed resin.
# Carefully inject the resin into the void in the wall.
# Place the bolt into the wall and resin.
# Position the bolt properly, if needed.
# Cleanup (May require painting of the wall for neatness)

<gallery>
File:IMG 20260112 204307759edit .jpg | Use rags on the floor.
File:IMG 20260112 204228568edit .jpg | The resin may smear on the wall. Use acetone to clean up or prep by covering the wall.
File:IMG 20260112 204422858edit .jpg | Improper Application of resin will have an air gap.
File:IMG 20260112 204420375edit .jpg | Proper Application of resin from a syringe will bond all areas.
File:Using a tap or die to get paint off the threads.webm | A die can be used to clean the threads off.
File:Shipping office reno 3.jpg | Some paint was required to clean the wall
File:Shipping office reno 2.jpg |
File:Shipping office reno 1.jpg | Cleaned up wall with a shelf added.
File:Shipping office reno movie.mp4 | A quick video showing some of the workflow.
</gallery>

==Conclusion==
You may notice there is already pegboard on the right side, but that is a different size pegboard than what will be installed.

Overall, this was a good use of old resin, but without thickener, the resin runs out the syringe and down the wall. It's still a fun project to take up, and it shows that syringes can be used for resin as well as for catalyst. Here, you are 'injecting' resin into the wall, and then placing a bolt in. It makes me wonder if there is any advantage to having resin filled concrete blocks (it looks like online, that concrete is sometimes used to fill blocks, though you could use other materials such as resin (if non flammable)).

This project made more of a mess than I expected. I think if you added a thickener, you might have an easier time dealing with the resin. Though it may not be absolutely necessary. Also, you will need dedicated resin syringes (seperate from the catalyst ones) as resin is fairly thick as I mentioned before.

==Todo==
Some weight bearing tests should be done, out of curiousity.

There are videos along with these photos, that I will upload at a later date.

[[Category:Application Notes]]

File:Shipping office reno movie.mp4

2026-09-06T08:12:42Z

Advance:

File:Shipping office reno 3.jpg

2026-09-06T08:12:10Z

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File:Shipping office reno 2.jpg

2026-09-06T08:11:53Z

Advance:

2026-08-11T05:45:00Z

Advance: /* Balsa Wood */