Special makeup effects for stage and screen

Making and applying prosthetics

Second edition

Todd debreceni

 

When working with fibreglass it requires safety precautions. Wearing a respirator and working in the right work place with important.

Todd Debreceni - Special effects for stage and screen, page 209 explains the safety precautions when using fibreglass. ‘Fiberglass gel coat and laminating resin contain propriety polyester resin and styrene monomer, the vapour of which is quite harmful and flammable. Without adequate ventilation and a fitted NIOSH-approved respirator, you could quickly find yourself up to your chin in floor.’

 

When Pete taught us the safety precautions about using Fibreglass

 

Health and Safety

Fibreglass will irritate the eyes and skin.

Wearing a respirator protects the eyes and nasal passage from becoming blocked or irritated.

Hand protection is important. Stay clear of Latex gloves.

Fibreglass can cause Dyspnoea, if a respirator is not worn.

Protective clothing should be worn to stop irritation on the skin.

 

Both Pete, Gillet and Todd Debreceni both explain that health and safety is so important when using fibreglass.

Todd Debreceni ‘I can not stress enough so I’m saying it again: Fibreglass resin is very toxic in its liquid state. You need to work in a room with good ventilation and wear a NIOSH – approved respirator.’

 

The university fibreglass room the room is well ventilated and all respirators are NIOSH approved.

 

This site provides a listing of NIOSH-approved particulate filtering facepiece respirators. This type of air-purifying respirators protects by filtering particles out of the air the user is breathing. There are seven classes of filters for NIOSH-approved filtering facepiece respirators available at this time. Ninety-five percent is the minimal level of filtration that will be approved by NIOSH. The N, R and P designations refer to the filter's oil resistance as described below.

Select a type of respirator to see all approved models:

N95 - Filters at least 95% of airborne particles. Not resistant to oil.

Surgical N95 - A NIOSH-approved N95 respirator that has also been cleared by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) as a surgical mask.

N99 - Filters at least 99% of airborne particles. Not resistant to oil.

N100 - Filters at least 99.97% of airborne particles. Not resistant to oil.

R95 - Filters at least 95% of airborne particles. Somewhat resistant to oil.

P95 - Filters at least 95% of airborne particles. Strongly resistant to oil.

P99 - Filters at least 99% of airborne particles. Strongly resistant to oil.

P100 - Filters at least 99.97% of airborne particles. Strongly resistant to oil.

Reference from -http://www.cdc.gov/niosh/npptl/topics/respirators/disp_part/

 

 

 

 

Gilles showed us the steps and products when making foam latex. 

 

High solid latex foam base

Creamed latex, different from liquid latex. White-ish colour, slightly thick, with a strong

smell of ammonia. It’s the main component of foam latex.

Foaming Agent

Thick and viscous liquid, mainly composed of castor oil (soap) and water. That will help

your foam to reach the volume you want when whisked.

The amount of foaming agent to add to your mix is 20% of the amount of the latex base.© Gilles Paillet 2013

4.

Curing Agent

Yellow-ish liquid, sulfur-based. It gives your foam its memory (the foam comes back to

shape when pressed) and elasticity.

The amount of curing agent to add to your mix is 10% of the amount of the latex base.

Gelling Agent

Grey liquid. It helps set the batch of foam. The foam goes from a ‘shaving foam’ state to a

‘compact’, ‘solid’ state, prior to be put in the oven.

The amount of gelling agent depending on different factors : temperature, humidity, the

refining time… It usually is between 10 and 14 % of the amount of latex base, but could be

less if the room temperature is higher than 20°C, more if the room temperature is lower

than 20°C.

Release Agent - Mould release – Zinc Stearate

Pearly foam brushed in plaster moulds (or on any porous material). Temporarely seals the

porous surface of the mould. Leaves a residue on the mould that needs to be dusted out.

Can be used on fiberglass moulds when damaged, to avoid the foam to grab onto cracks and

such on flanges. No need to use it on details.