 |
TIPS |
|
TIPS |
Water Based Varnishes
by Fred Gray
Try using water-base satin varnish for securing knots and ratlines instead of glues. I recommend Ceramcoat by Delta, Water Base Satin Varnish #7007. The cost is about $4.30 for 8 fluid ounces. It can be purchased at Michael's or other craft stores. There are other brands, but I prefer Ceramcoat.
Super Glue and Zap are the old way!
they will give you stuck fingers and
lips
you'll have messes to clean up
they can't be painted on with a brush
-- unless by ruining the brush
they can weaken nylon lines
they glue everything around together
and its impossible to remove once dry
they show a buildup on a knot that
detracts from the fine lines of the knot
they can ruin stain finishes of
surrounding wood
they make cords shine
they gives off harmful fumes
and containers of Super Glue or Zap
plug up and tip openings become hard to use.
Finish a series of knots. Use a #3
paint brush and dab the varnish onto the knots. Remove any bubbles. The varnish will
quickly sink in - it penetrates well. Use on cotton or nylon. When used on brown or black
cord, the varnish dries with a slight emulsion. Brown or black lines look a bit duller as
if tarred or resin treated. Most black nylon has a shine to it. The varnish removes the
shine into a weathered look. Water rinse the brush. Pour the unused portion of the varnish
back into the bottle -- there's nothing wrong with it.
Water base varnish is excellent for furled paper sails. Two coats of varnish will make paper permanent and slightly weather it.
Water based Ceramcoat #7007 varnish is an acrylic polymer. It forms a tough, flexible, ultraviolet resisitant film which is clear and colorless, and will not yellow with age. The product can also be used over and over and under dry acrylics and oils!