Repeating the Safety Warning...
Rude & Crude Finishing

By David Knipfer


It appears that some of you have been trying the shellac followed by oil finish that I call the Rude & Crude Method.

I'm pleased it is working for you... but I am concerned that maybe some of you new to oil finishing may have missed my earlier warnings about the dangers of those oil soaked rags.

Sooooo... in the spirit of being sure everyone understands the hazard... here is a repeat about those rags.

THOSE OIL SOAKED RAGS ARE A FIRE HAZARD.   THEY CAN (AND WILL) SELF-COMBUST, AND BURN YOUR SHOP DOWN.

The details of the chemistry have eluded me, but the oils cure in the presence of oxygen to create an exothermic reaction.

The oil in those used rags will heat up as it cures.

If there is sufficient heat generated... those rags will self-combust.   If they catch fire around any other combustiable materials (uhhhmm... a dusty shop filled with timbers?)... well... you know how that story ends.

If you are going to use oil finishes (any oil finish), then you must develop the discipline of properly handling those oil covered rags.

Some oil manufacturers go a little overboard and suggest the rags be placed in a metal container filled with water, etc.

I believe thats a overkill.   What is needed is that the rags be allowed to cure without allowing the heat to build up.

In my shop... I drape the used rags fully opened over the edge of my shop garbage can.   The next day, when they are stiff and dry, I just toss them out.

Whatever you do... do not let those oil soaked rags sit in a pile in the corner of the shop.

Knipfer



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