I read where polyester resins used to have a higher concentration of styrene, but more recent blend have reduced levels. Dermatitis is a possible result for overexposure to both polyester and epoxy resins, so it in not recommended to bathe in them or drink them :) Read the MSDS and take proper PPE precautions.
The entire boat was made from polyester resin, ever since they switched from using wood. At least for fifty years' worth of production. I'd be curious to know if the more recent builds in China or England are made from polyester or epoxy resin.
You can find Bondo resin, hardener, cloth and filler, cheaply in any auto parts store and also the auto parts section of Home Repair megastores. A small basic kit is around twenty bucks, some come with a small pack of glass cloth, but you generally have a better selection of cloth and mat online.
Polyester does have a pungent odor as you mix it; you want to do this outside or in a well-ventilated garage or shop, and wear nitrile gloves and maybe a respirator. OTOH, most of our repairs are not really very large, the quantities used are small, so the exposure risk isn't quite as bad.? It's not super-common but you *can* develop an allergy to either Polyester OR epoxy if you over-expose to them, so be careful and hygienic using either one.
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Kent B. Lewis
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