Permalyn finish

[P.W.Berkuta]

I have both the sealer & finish and I used the sealer to great effect on my latest build. I normally just use the sealer to build up the finish then cut it back with steel wool or rottenstone. This time I wanted to use the permalyn finish on top of the sealer - no problem I thought. I had some of the finish that I split up into 1/2 oz glass vials from a previous job about 8 months ago. I applied the finish and set the stock aside to dry in the spare bathroom where the temp inside the house was 69 degrees. I checked it the next day and the surface felt "slightly tacky" . I hung the stock outside in the sun for the remainder of the day with no improvement . I ended up removing the surface tackiness with steel wool and returned to the sealer using 4 more coats.

Has anyone else have the "tacky surface feeling" using the permalyn finish? Is my permalyn finish just old? I have not experienced this phenomenon before - have you?

[t.caster]

I use 2 applications of the sealer only, any more and it gets tacky. Then up to 4, sometimes 6 coats of finish. Usually it gets tacky after the 4th coat. I find it dries best out on my south facing deck on sunny days. I wouldn't think of more than one coat in 24 hrs, even if it feels dry to touch. Wouldn't be prudent, to hurry at this stage.

[dogcatcher]

These  finishes are like beer, once you pop the top, the god stuff starts to evaporate and it goes "flat".  I did not find an MSDS safety data sheet for Permalyn, but my guess it is like the others and contains a lot of solvent.  That will cause it to go "flat" or as I call it, "spoil" and then fail to cure/dry properly.  This is all speculation since there is no MSDS to look at. 

[Ed Wenger]

I think dogcatcher has a good point, and wouldn't be surprised if its gone "flat".  I only use the Sealer (as you described) to finish  a piece when I use Permalyn, and always use most, if not all, of the small can.  Most is used soaking the stock during the initial application.  I'd try a new can of finish and see what results you get.



         Ed

[P.W.Berkuta]

I've tossed the finish and just will use the sealer - I got a 32 oz can of the stuff which is 7/8 or less full. I squirt some Bloxygen which is Argon gas in a pressurized can that prevents finishing liquids from drying out into the can then quickly cap the can - works well. Thanks for all the suggestions - Merry Christmas to all.

[Dphariss]

These  finishes are like beer, once you pop the top, the god stuff starts to evaporate and it goes "flat".  I did not find an MSDS safety data sheet for Permalyn, but my guess it is like the others and contains a lot of solvent.  That will cause it to go "flat" or as I call it, "spoil" and then fail to cure/dry properly.  This is all speculation since there is no MSDS to look at.

This is the base Resin SFAIK. But as a varnish it's, naturally, thinned with solvents. I suspect its probably 80% solvents based on the typical modern varnish. The stock finish will fail in time according to reliable reports. A well crackled PA bicentennial gun was cited. Its too hard and not elastic enough to withstand the moving of the wood. But it dries fast.
Dan

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