Watco application help in hot weather

6/19/23, 2:25 AM #1

mike swindell
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Registered: 11/25/04

Watco application help in hot weather

I live in the Palm Springs area where temps cool down to 70 and highs in 100. I start doing anything from 7-12 am. I was going to use Watco on tool handles but now after 15 minutes it turns tacky. When this has happened I take a cheesecloth with oil and apply it but remove it right away. I imagine the finish is very thin,so I am reaching out to the finishing experts.

I used a thinned spar varnish for one coat, roughed up with 180 then applied a second coat scuffed with gray scotchbrite. The thinned varnish worked fine and after 3 weeks the varnish turned into a gummy mess. Even after using drain holes inthe can body, the varnish turned bad. At $25 a quart I can't be buying varnish every other month. How do you eliminate the air in the can ? Will a shot of MAPP gas work ?

Cheers

Re: Watco application help in hot weather

6/19/23, 10:06 AM #2

Mark Mandell
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Several Ways

Option 1 [pricey] : Get a can of "Bloxigin" which is argon gas in a spray can. Before you close the finish can, give it a shot of argon and then pop the lid on. The heavy inert gas prevents oxy from polymerizing the remaining liquid. MAPP or Butane don't do well. (BTDT)

Option 2 [cheap]: Get a bag of marbles at a toy store and add them to the finish can to keep the liquid up to the top so air is excluded. When the finish is used up, clean the marbles with thinner.

Option 3 [super cheap]: When done with an application, close the can tightly and store inverted. The air in the can will form a film layer but the rest of the finish will last longer. "Longer" but not forever.

Re: Watco application help in hot weather

6/19/23, 10:10 AM #3

Bill Blasic
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Re: Several Ways

Use stop loss bags, they work better than anything I've tried.

Re: Watco application help in hot weather

6/19/23, 4:02 PM #4

Dick Coers
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Re: Watco application help in hot weather

WATCO is a finish that is very thin to start with. I also wipe off all the excess before it turns tacky. I believe it tells you to do that on the application instructions. Your solution to add more oil and wipe off is also common practice. WATCO does have a shelf life like any other finish. If the oil is still tacky after more time, the finish is too old.

Re: Watco application help in hot weather

6/19/23, 8:54 PM #5

Bill Howatt
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Re: Watco application help in hot weather

Are you applying a coat and then leaving it to dry and it goes tacky? I don't use Watco but use similar drying oil products and the application method is to put it on, wait a few minutes and then wipe it off. You are right, it leaves a very thin coat so you repeat the process to get a thicker finish. I will do 3-5 on turned bowls for a good build and you may want more an a utility item.

Watco application help in hot weather

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