Re: [Shaku] The Power of Urushi

Hi Karl,

>Can anyone estimate curing time (end of allergenic properties) under humid
conditions (sealed plastic bag, moisturizing wicks in both halves)? My
repair person in Japan cured my flute for at least three months in a special
high-humidity box after repair this spring. I received the flute back a
couple of weeks ago and it is still highly allergenic to me. Just a
ballpark figure -- I realize there's a lot of variables here.

A thin wash of urushi can polymerizes in 20 minutes in a warm humid airtight box, a thicker coat by overnight. I can play a flute the next day with no problems. But, I do smell the urushiol vapors still present. This is what must be causing the allergic reactions.

Because several people have had this reaction to my flutes (three in the last seven years), I've started to use Cortaid Anti-Poison Ivy wipe cloths to wipe down the entire flute before it is sent out. I don't smell the vapors after I use the wipes. You can get these at CVS drugstores.

Since I've started using the wipes, no one has alerted me to a reaction. It could be that those who received the new flutes are part of the population that are unaffected by urushiol.

When I was learning how to use urushi in Japan from Kinya, he made me very aware of the dangers. He had me bring a change of cloths for the shop because the urushiol gas can stay on the cloths and affect those who may come in contact with it.

I sometimes get the rash during the application process, when the gas of fresh urushi is floating in the air. My educated guess tells me that it's the brand I'm using as opposed to color (red, black etc...). Some makers use commercially obtained urushi while a hand full make their own. These days, If I cover up any exposed skin during the application, I'm usually safe from having a reaction.

Let me know if the Cortaid wipes work.

Best, Perry

 
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Received on Fri Jul 13 13:05 PDT 2007