stockholm tar treatment

[spotty]

I wish to make a traditional blend of Stockholm Tar, Gum Turp and Bees Wax for marine / outside use. Can anyone help with advising who sells these in Sydney and any blends - I've heard of 65% STar, 25%GTurp and 10%BWax by vol and applied hot. I think it's a very old recipe used on square riggers.

[journeyman Mick]

You should be able to get Stockholm tar from an agricultural supplier or an equestrian supplier. By Gum Turp I presume you mean old fashioned, non-mineral type turps. Should be able to get that at any art supply house. The beeswax from any good hardware or also the art supply place. I daresay there's probably been a few advances made in coating technologies since that recipe was cooked up.

Mick

[outback]

Mick is right about the Stockholm tar, that is if you can still get it. I haven't seen or heard of it for years. Smells like a bastard. The rest should be pretty easy I'd reckon.

[BernieP]

G'day spotty

AS mentioned above, also called Pine Tar see http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pine_tar

Is used for horses cracked hoofs and still available at vets supplies (I think) careful very dangerous to skin and eyes and flammable as well.

Cheers
Bernie

[spotty]

I've learnt from the Wooden Boat Forum that Stockholm Tar or Pine Tar (US) has been misused as a "generic". Pine Tar used for horse hoof treatment I understand is often a coal tar derivative since the original Stockholm Tar - sourced from Pinus Sylvestris was in short supply. The US guys produced an alternative from Southern Pine species. The wood derived product I understand is not bad smelling and is not harmful to the skin - at least in the mixture I previously described. I was recently on a replica square rigger "The Dyfken" which uses Stockhom Tar and Bees Wax on the manila/hemp ropes and STar/GTurp/BWax on the outside wood surfaces - deck/rails/blocks etc. It had a pleasant smell and didn't burn the skin. I know what you mean about skin burns with say creosote which is very alkaline but STar is mildly acid and when mixed with the other 2 products probably improves its handling qualities. I'm looking for more of a commercial supplier than art houses, so if anyone knows of other suppliers I would be greatful.

[outback]

My experience with Stockholm tar was actaull as a wound dressing for aminals. Black, sticky, and stinks like a bastard.