mbrockman5 Posted August 17, 2016 Report Share Posted August 17, 2016 Just a quick, curious question or 2 about applying Arm-R-Seal.... Would I be able to apply it inside my house or would that be a bad idea? Has anyone attempted to apply it indoors? I'm almost done working on a Live Edge Slab for my Fireplace Mantel. I just have the top coat left to apply, but I had to bring it inside from the garage before I could finish.... Sent from my SM-N920V using Tapatalk Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cliff Posted August 17, 2016 Report Share Posted August 17, 2016 On a scale from 1 to clear penetrating epoxy sealer - I didn't think ARS is that bad at all. If you are talking smell strength. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Coop Posted August 17, 2016 Report Share Posted August 17, 2016 It depends on who's wife you ask. It's pretty stout, according to mine. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Brendon_t Posted August 17, 2016 Report Share Posted August 17, 2016 I have finished on the dining room table with the slider open, screen closed and fan on low pointing out. No issues here.. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bleedinblue Posted August 17, 2016 Report Share Posted August 17, 2016 I wouldn't hesitate. I put several coats of ARS on our stair railings when I stained them and don't remember the smell being an issue at all. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Posted August 17, 2016 Report Share Posted August 17, 2016 Think of it this way, wood floors were site finished with similar oil based polyurethanes from the 1960s until about 10 years ago, and some guys still use oil poly on floors. Just make sure your room is well ventilated with a good cross breeze Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ronn W Posted August 17, 2016 Report Share Posted August 17, 2016 I don't think that is is as bad as varnish. I use it in my basement shop all the time. No wifely complaints. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Posted August 17, 2016 Report Share Posted August 17, 2016 4 minutes ago, Ronn W said: I don't think that is is as bad as varnish. I use it in my basement shop all the time. No wifely complaints. It is varnish. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ronn W Posted August 17, 2016 Report Share Posted August 17, 2016 Sorry, I was too brief. To rephrase, It appears to have less objectionable odor than others I have used. Un-impeacable source - wife. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mbrockman5 Posted August 17, 2016 Author Report Share Posted August 17, 2016 Ok. So I should be fine with some windows open and the Whole House Fan running.... And with these California summer days, early in the morning it'll be.... Sent from my SM-N920V using Tapatalk Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chestnut Posted August 17, 2016 Report Share Posted August 17, 2016 +1 for being fine. I apply in my basement often. Keep the ventilation going for a good while though. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Popular Post Eric. Posted August 17, 2016 Popular Post Report Share Posted August 17, 2016 I'd advise against it. While I don't personally mind the smell of ARS, it does contain some fairly volatile VOCs and I get a headache if I hang out in the shop too long after I apply a coat and don't wear my respirator. For certain situations where you must finish in situ, like Frank's stair rails, etc...I get it. But if you can move something out of the house, I would. My wife complains about the stink when I bring in a piece after only 48 hours or so. It takes about a week for the smell to lose its punch, and can be closer to a month to be entirely smell-free. 3 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pwk5017 Posted August 17, 2016 Report Share Posted August 17, 2016 15 minutes ago, Eric. said: I'd advise against it. While I don't personally mind the smell of ARS, it does contain some fairly volatile VOCs and I get a headache if I hang out in the shop too long after I apply a coat and don't wear my respirator. For certain situations where you must finish in situ, like Frank's stair rails, etc...I get it. But if you can move something out of the house, I would. My wife complains about the stink when I bring in a piece after only 48 hours or so. It takes about a week for the smell to lose its punch, and can be closer to a month to be entirely smell-free. Gotta agree with eric that I no longer finish within the house. I did it a few times, but the first time i finished with waterlox, my wife and i woke up with headaches the next morning. That was all the warning i needed to remind me any VOCs are detrimental to your health. Is anyone keeping track of the numerous ways your health and well-being can be ruined by woodworking? I just hope Bill Pentz doesnt publish research on VOC exposure next. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mkrusen Posted August 17, 2016 Report Share Posted August 17, 2016 I let my dining table cure for 2 weeks before bringing it in and my wife still thought it smelled. And it took about another month for the smell to dissipate from inside the recessed gaming area. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bleedinblue Posted August 17, 2016 Report Share Posted August 17, 2016 We did run our whole house during the stair project and for hours after each coat. I'm sure that helped a lot. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pwk5017 Posted August 17, 2016 Report Share Posted August 17, 2016 1 hour ago, bleedinblue said: We did run our whole house during the stair project and for hours after each coat. I'm sure that helped a lot. The good news is the VOCs 'flash' off within the first few hours of curing. If im not mistaken, the VOCs are mostly in the solvent(mineral spirits for example), so most dissipate as the finish dries and cures within the first 12 hours. Some projects you just have to finish inside, but if you do you should vent like you did. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PeteJr Posted August 17, 2016 Report Share Posted August 17, 2016 Ventilate as much as possible for the first 24-48 hours and you should be fine. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
xxdabroxx Posted August 17, 2016 Report Share Posted August 17, 2016 I did my window sill and trim in my bathroom with Minwax wipe on poly and didn't have an issue. It seems to be about the same as ARS. That is a significantly bigger piece though. I wouldn't worry about doing it inside, but open windows and turn on a couple fans if you can't do it outside. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cliff Posted August 19, 2016 Report Share Posted August 19, 2016 On 8/17/2016 at 7:41 AM, Pwk5017 said: Gotta agree with eric that I no longer finish within the house. I did it a few times, but the first time i finished with waterlox, my wife and i woke up with headaches the next morning. That was all the warning i needed to remind me any VOCs are detrimental to your health. Is anyone keeping track of the numerous ways your health and well-being can be ruined by woodworking? I just hope Bill Pentz doesnt publish research on VOC exposure next. Waterlox is bad, but compared to CPES... i thought my brain was going to bleed out my nose and I felt like I was going to pass out from the headache. Neither are great. But now I feel like I killed enough of my brain that ARS should be great. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mbrockman5 Posted August 19, 2016 Author Report Share Posted August 19, 2016 Well... I think I'll wake up early in the morning while it's cool, open up the house, flip on some fans (and house fan) and see how it goes. If all else fails, I'll just move it into the garage before I get too far along Sent from my SM-N920V using Tapatalk Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Brendon_t Posted August 19, 2016 Report Share Posted August 19, 2016 If moving into the garage is an option, why start in the house at all? 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mat60 Posted August 19, 2016 Report Share Posted August 19, 2016 Ya..I was thinking you had no other option at all until now.. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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