Author Topic: Humid weather; Drying stuff  (Read 961 times)

Offline Mr. Bubbles

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Humid weather; Drying stuff
« on: July 13, 2018, 10:03:48 PM »
I'm putting finish on my build now, and am frustrated by the long time it's taking for varnish to cure.  I'm using Tried & True Linseed Varnish oil, and applying it EXTREMELY thinly.  Normally that stuff cures in a day to two.  Yet, this time it seems to be taking at least a week (some times 2)  between coats in this 85% humidity weather.  Are there any tricks to getting it to cure faster?  I've been thinking about putting the stock in a big plastic bag in front of a picture window, and filling the bag itself with scuba tank air (hence the Mr. Bubbles name) which has a dew point of -60F--mighty dry air.  That seems like a lot of hassle though.  Anyone else got any tricks they use?

Offline T*O*F

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Re: Humid weather; Drying stuff
« Reply #1 on: July 13, 2018, 10:08:46 PM »
Hang it outside in direct sunlight.  The finish doesn't dry by evaporation, it dries by polymerization and the UV rays from the sun will accomplish that.  You don't need to cover it with anything.
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Offline TommyG

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Re: Humid weather; Drying stuff
« Reply #2 on: July 13, 2018, 11:09:21 PM »
Are you using a dehumidifier??  I keep a humidity gauge in the shop. Once my shop gets above 50% relative humidity any type of finish on wood will take longer to dry.  I run the dehumidifier, it usually will bring it down to just above 40% on the most humid eastern PA days, and I will run it continuously on those days to stay ahead of it.  The finishes seem to dry much better then.

Offline Scota4570

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Re: Humid weather; Drying stuff
« Reply #3 on: July 14, 2018, 01:29:02 AM »
If you are going to hang it in the sun, pre warm it before you apply the finish.  IF you apply cold them hang in the sun the air forced out of the wood will blow bubbles in the finish.