Getting dried sikaflex from hands?

[Minerva]

So I’m in a bit of a predicament. Using sika yesterday and managed to get it all over my hands.

Normally I’d just leave it, but I have an interview tomorrow and having black smudgy hands probably isn’t the best look…

So any suggestions bar having an interesting talking point which can be rightfully considered to be example of doing a task without appropriate PPE

 

[wonkywinch]

I use those heavy duty wet wipes from Screwfix that are slightly abrasive.

Then bung on some O'Keeffes hand cream.

 

[John_Silver]

So I’m in a bit of a predicament. Using sika yesterday and managed to get it all over my hands.

Normally I’d just leave it, but I have an interview tomorrow and having black smudgy hands probably isn’t the best look…

So any suggestions bar having an interesting talking point which can be rightfully considered to be example of doing a task without appropriate PPE

Faced with the same situation as you (15 years ago), I found that abrasion was the only answer……..part-worn scotchbrite-type pan scrubs worked best. For thick build ups, ‘paring’ with a cautiously wielded Stanley blade speeded things up. Go carefully! Swarfega (gritty variety) worth a go, if not too thickly coated. I used that for the ‘final polish!’

…….Subsequently wondered if white cotton gloves, for the interview, might have been the way to go.

EDIT: If all else fails, take comfort from the fact that you are in good company. Sam Goodchild, 48+ hours on from repairing his mainsail with waves breaking over him, attended the Vendee Globe press conference with full ‘Smurf Hands!’

 

[Obi]

My sailing activities have swung a couple of opinions during interviews. If you cannot get the sikaflex off, you could try using it as a badge of honour to establish your sailing credentials.
Although if your interviewer is not aware of sailing and sikaflex it might backfire.

 

[wonkywinch]

I interviewed someone for a job once and I couldn't help notice the large patch of burned crinkly skin on his forehead. At the end of the interview, curiosity got the better of me so I asked. Apparently the day before he'd wiped his sweaty forehead with the back of his gloved hand whilst he'd been applying Nitromors to strip paint from some doors. Ouch.

 

[Mister E]

Washing up liquid and plenty of sugar or sand. Just keep going lots of times.

 

[Minerva]

Washing up liquid and plenty of sugar or sand. Just keep going lots of times.

That sounds like a good shout and hopefully not too dermatologically damaging! Thanks.

 

[Boathook]

Washing up liquid and plenty of sugar or sand. Just keep going lots of times.

I would rather go to an interview with grubby hands ! Washing up liquid causes serious problems to my hands.

I have found https://www.screwfix.com/p/swarfega-orange-hand-cleaner-pump-pack-4ltr/23527 good plus wipes that have a grit in them.

 

[Blueboatman]

Acetone
Methylated spirit
Apply hand cream liberally overnight
( and cut those nails)

 

[John_Silver]

Acetone
Methylated spirit
Apply hand cream liberally overnight
( and cut those nails)

From the Sika instructions pdf:


Meths etc works for uncured Sika only.......Once it has moisture cured itself onto your hands it "can only be removed mechanically," Sika states.

 

[Blueboatman]

From the Sika instructions pdf:

View attachment 188654
Meths etc works for uncured Sika only.......Once it has moisture cured itself onto your hands it "can only be removed mechanically," Sika states.

Sure
But I’ve used Sika for many years- it takes a bit longer to fully cure than one might think ..
Messy stuff!

Another option would be to do nothing and wear gloves for the interview.

I have found particularly in dry cold weather -as I'm sure you have too- that it is really important to apply good hand cream overnight after using meths or acetone ( or petrol ) otherwise the skin just cracks ..

 

[John_Silver]

Sure
But I’ve used it for many years
Try it?

Maybe mine had cured too far, before I tried meths (and even petrol), before reading the instructions and resorting to mechanical means. Which worked where the various solvents had not.

 

[penberth3]

So I’m in a bit of a predicament. Using sika yesterday and managed to get it all over my hands....

...So any suggestions.... bar having an interesting talking point which can be rightfully considered to be example of doing a task without appropriate PPE

You've got it, wear gloves next time!

 

[Daydream believer]

It is your own fault for not wiping it off on your trousers, or best top whilst still wet

 

[Mister E]

I think that I would rather use washing up liquid than petrol etc.

 

[Daydream believer]

Ordinary Swarfega with sand

 

[stone beach]

A good way to remove hard dried paint from your skin is to work at it with butter, avoids all the thinner/dried out skin issues, you could try that ?

 

[Daydream believer]

A good way to remove hard dried paint from your skin is to work at it with butter, avoids all the thinner/dried out skin issues, you could try that ?

But what if you are too far south. It will have melted.

 

[diverd]

Toluene takes it off instantly, we use sikaflex weekly and have used it to take it off most things. Not the kind of thing you tend to have lying about

 

[Halo]

I was grinding off a skin fitting today and it got very hot. The sika melted and trickled onto my hand. Ouch! Burned skin with a blue layer of sika and a/f. Any tips on whether to scrape, scrub or leave?