Feast Watson Decking Stain not drying

[xgrain]

Hi all,
I have been busy in the shed making my woodwork area a little easier to work in. Better bench top, a few drawers under the bench and the making of a few more jigs and push sticks etc. Most of this is made from either pine, plywood and maybe a little tas oak.

I wondered it to bunnings to find a cheap protective cover to seal em. Whilst i was in there I got distracted from the usual poly coats and varnishes by a misstinted 4l can of Feast Watson - Decking Finishes - Decking Stain for a very cheap price so I cant complain either way. Sure the colour was awful but I just wanted a protective layer for my jigs.


Problem is it doesnt seem to be totally drying. A week on and touching or rubbing a rag or hand across the wood leaves a dark residue
Ok its not been left to the outside elements to dry and its been cold down this away but surely by now it should have hardened?


any thoughts appreciated

[RichardOfOz]

Hi xgrain,

No simple answer but I have recently had a similar experience. In my case Feast Watson Stain and Varnish. It has taken about 5 days to get dry enough for another coat. I'm actually applying the second coat 7 days after the first. I am in S.A.

Feast Watson website defines what they mean by drying conditions and temperature range. Generally, they say do not varnish etc when the temperature is below 10 C or when the temperature is likely to fall below 10 C within 4 hours of application. Here the weather has been cool to cold but nights still well positive and days in the mid teens. It has been showery.

Another observation is that in a closed shed oil based products seem to take longer to dry than stated. I have noted this at other times (including summer) using such products. I have used Feast Watson products many times and have always been very happy with the result.

So I suggest giving it a bit more time.

Please post if you find it is not just a slow dry due to temperature.

Cheers

Richard

[vk4]

I think that the issue is the cold weather , If the pieces are not too large , I would look at a cupboard or large carton, and a small fan heater, and make a hot box, .

Set up so that the fan heater blows warm(not HOT ) AIR INTO THE ENCLOSED SPACE , and have a vent at the top if possible .

this should have them dry in 4-6 hours.

Jeff
vk4

[Groggy]

Over the weekend I had some problems with glue not going off. Just too cold for it (Titebond II) it seems.

[xgrain]

Weather certainly hasnt been any better here. Some of the pieces have dried off but others still leavin residue. Im going to paint up some scrap and bring it inside for few days in the warmth and see what that makes of the situ.
I do recall the can being very very full making it difficult to stir. Now its down a bit Ill make sure i give it a good going over b4 as well
thanks

[Sir Stinkalot]

I got distracted from the usual poly coats and varnishes by a misstinted 4l can of Feast Watson - Decking Finishes - Decking Stain for a very cheap price so I cant complain either way. Sure the colour was awful but I just wanted a protective layer for my jigs.

Whilst the temperature sounds like it is most likely the culprit, could there be any issue due to the mistint? Perhaps too much tint (don't know if this will effect the drying) or perhaps the wrong tint used?

Anyway a trial in a warmer environment will tell a lot.

Cheers

Stinky

[Wongo]

It is also because bare wood sucks up so much finish, so the first coat usually takes a lot longer the dry. 5 - 7 days are the minimum in this kind of wheather.

[xgrain]

Hi all,
On sunday I applied the stain to a few pieces of MDF jigs. I wiped it on with a rag, left it outside for a few hours then took it inside and placed it on the fishtank(which is heated both by a heater and the top light box) . Last night a gave the MDF a good rub and found no residue.(24 hours)

So either it was just temperature or maybe i applied too much or maybe it wasn't stirred enough.

Seems ok now tho.