I just got a LN No.4. I read that applying parafin to the bottom helps the plane move easier. I also read that since parafin is petroleum based, it will not effect the final finish. However, I will applying a water based analine dye. Since parafin is water repellant, will it effect the the finish?
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Replies
Yep. Probably best to do it au natural.
Scott
Scott,
Not sure doing the planing in the nude would help:-) Besides my shop is too cold!
I would think it would. However, you might be able to minimize it by wiping the wood down with Naphtha followed by a clean, dry rag to soak up the dissolved parafin. That's how wax (which parafin is) and grease are commonly removed before painting. I would think that, although some of it is sure to penetrate deeper into the wood... most of it would be removed to the point that your dye will take. I'd test it on a piece of scrap to be sure, though.
Regards,
Kevin
"Rather fail with honor than succeed by fraud" - Sophocles.
Bill,
I use parrafin on my plane bottoms as well. I also use water stains as well. I don't clean the surface before staining and have not had any finish problems.
Bill,
The amount of wax applied to the plane bottom is small, just a quick scribble down the sole of the plane with the edge of a block of wax. Then the wax is spread over a fairly large area of wood with a high percentage of the wax actually winding up in the shavings rather than on the finished piece.
In the end, only a minute amount of wax left on the wood. If you sand or scrape even lightly, then even that small amount would be removed. By the time you get to finishing, there is probably more oil from your skin on the wood than there is wax from the plane bottom.
Finally, water based finishes are formulated to allow the finish to cope with at least some contamination of the wood since almost all woods contain small amounts of naturally occuring waxes, oils, resins and the previously mentioned skin oils.
John W.
Edited 12/30/2003 4:47:51 PM ET by JohnW
Edited 12/30/2003 5:40:51 PM ET by JohnW
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