[Cob] Re: Resin in cob bathtub coatings

[joel cloud]

On Sun, 3 Apr 2005 09:54:24 +0200 (CEST), jane at kirstinelund.dk said:
> Joel wrote
> 
> > I was thinking about the bathtub idea, and I like it too.... I've been
> trying to find a good recipie for varnish.  I am thinking linseed oil +
> pine resin = better more waterproof finish than oil alone?  What do you
> think?
> 
> ...
> 
> It looks like I'm allways the boring type saying "it might be poisonous"
> to any idea. However, I would feel irresponsible if I didn't pass on the
> warnings.
>
> ...
> We often have a tendency to assume that anything "natural" is safe to
> use.
> Well, hemlock is natural, and so is a lot of other deadly poisonous
> plants.
> 

I agree totally about safety, it is very important.  My experience with
resin is more from sculptors and artists who work in the medium.  Their
overall impression is that anything harmful in the resin is harmful as
a vapor that you inhale, once it's set and hardened it is considered
safe.

I was thinking in terms of low tech, low cost, sustainable.  If you have
pine trees, you can harvest resin for use.  I agree totally on out-gas 
safety, and if someone has data from a chemist, I'd love to see it.
I do think resin is safe when hardened, just an issue when heated/melted
for mixing releases poison gas.

peace, love, and safety,

j