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Author Topic:   Cetol finish stays tacky

smirkless posted 11-13-2002 07:54 AM ET (US)
I used the cetol product for the first time, looks great! Unfortunately, 3 weeks later the finish is still tacky and sticks to anything it touches. This is probably due to insufficient stirring.
The question is, what, if anything, can I do to save the work I have done? Is there any heating of chemical I can use to get the finish to set up?
The Sikkins website has no e-mail contact.
Smirk
Montauk posted 11-13-2002 08:14 AM ET (US)
We need to start with what you did to prep for varnish before attempting to solve the problem. Here are some questions that need to be answered and perhaps others will have some also.
1) Was a teak cleaner used, or a product such as crazy clean, castrol super clean, ie, something to remove oils?
2) Are you varnishing teak or mahogaony?
3) Did you use a stain?
4) did you use a sealer?
5) were the pieces previously oiled or varnished?
6) temperature?
smirkless posted 11-13-2002 09:45 PM ET (US)
Good questions that may help answer what I did wrong. I'm quite sure that I did not stir the Cetol final gloss coat enough. I am really trying to find out if I can save what I have done to this point.
Started with new dry mahogany, Philippine, not dense or oily. Put on two coats of Cetol, translucent, matte finish. On the bottom of the wood where this finish is still exposed, it is fine. After that, I put on a final glass layer 24 hours later that stayed tacky.
The temperature and other instructios were adhered to except possibly "stir well before using".
If I have to remove this last coat, can it be done without damaging the previous two coats? Anyone know?
Smirkless :-(
Montauk posted 11-13-2002 10:06 PM ET (US)
Smirkless,
crank the temperature up if possible and let it set a few days. It sounds to me that you put too many coats on too fast. The Cetol is giving off solvent underneath the last coat. If you want to wipe it off use cloth rags soaked in mineral spirits, do not use acetone. I would try cranking the temp. first to 70-75 degrees. What temp has it been sitting at for the last 3 weeks? Good luck.
Montauk posted 11-13-2002 10:12 PM ET (US)
Oops! just looked at your profile to see where you are at. Have you put it out in the hot sun yet?
Barry posted 11-13-2002 10:25 PM ET (US)
I would first try putting in the sun to see if that will "cure" it. Some of Cetol's other products actually require UV exposure to cure properly.
If that doesn't work you might try recoating a section of the tacky wood with another coat of well stirred Gloss. I've read at least one article on the Internet of folks applying an additional coat while the first was still tacky.
crosley95 posted 11-14-2002 06:15 PM ET (US)
smirkless,
i think if you just give it time, you'll be ok. i wouldn't do anything drastic for at least two weeks.
be patient and you'll be pleased.
remember.... cetol is not varnish.
crosley
smirkless posted 11-15-2002 02:51 PM ET (US)
Thanks Montaulk, Barry, Crosley95, you have given me confidence and settled my nerves. I tried the sun one day and ended up with a fair amount of dust on the finish, although it didn't seem to be THAT tacky. I was able to clean it some. It also stuc to the chair I put it on and pulled the paint off. Usually putting it on a soft/clean rag helps.
I still have to build the rest of the console and seat so I have lots of time.
Thanks again, Smirk :-)
andygere posted 11-15-2002 03:45 PM ET (US)
What was the humidity? If it's too humid during application, it may not cure properly. If you have a dehumidifier, I'd give that a try. Most of these products reccomend that they are applied in dry weather.
RWM posted 11-15-2002 10:50 PM ET (US)
Is it possible you got a bad batch? Try stirring well and putting on a single thin coat. It should be dry in 24 hours.
Tom W Clark posted 11-16-2002 12:44 AM ET (US)
smirkless,
Something may, or may not have, gone wrong. Either way the best thing you can do is wait. In all likelihood, it will get hard with a little patience.
smirkless posted 11-19-2002 07:56 AM ET (US)
Tahnks again. Now that I have all the wood for the rest of the console and RPS I will have plenty of things to do while waiting for the other peices to dry. Before I do any more finishing, I'm going to test the finishing on a spare peice of wood.
Smirk :-)

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Author	Topic: Cetol finish stays tacky
smirkless	posted 11-13-2002 07:54 AM ET (US) I used the cetol product for the first time, looks great! Unfortunately, 3 weeks later the finish is still tacky and sticks to anything it touches. This is probably due to insufficient stirring. The question is, what, if anything, can I do to save the work I have done? Is there any heating of chemical I can use to get the finish to set up? The Sikkins website has no e-mail contact. Smirk
Montauk	posted 11-13-2002 08:14 AM ET (US) We need to start with what you did to prep for varnish before attempting to solve the problem. Here are some questions that need to be answered and perhaps others will have some also. 1) Was a teak cleaner used, or a product such as crazy clean, castrol super clean, ie, something to remove oils? 2) Are you varnishing teak or mahogaony? 3) Did you use a stain? 4) did you use a sealer? 5) were the pieces previously oiled or varnished? 6) temperature?
smirkless	posted 11-13-2002 09:45 PM ET (US) Good questions that may help answer what I did wrong. I'm quite sure that I did not stir the Cetol final gloss coat enough. I am really trying to find out if I can save what I have done to this point. Started with new dry mahogany, Philippine, not dense or oily. Put on two coats of Cetol, translucent, matte finish. On the bottom of the wood where this finish is still exposed, it is fine. After that, I put on a final glass layer 24 hours later that stayed tacky. The temperature and other instructios were adhered to except possibly "stir well before using". If I have to remove this last coat, can it be done without damaging the previous two coats? Anyone know? Smirkless :-(
Montauk	posted 11-13-2002 10:06 PM ET (US) Smirkless, crank the temperature up if possible and let it set a few days. It sounds to me that you put too many coats on too fast. The Cetol is giving off solvent underneath the last coat. If you want to wipe it off use cloth rags soaked in mineral spirits, do not use acetone. I would try cranking the temp. first to 70-75 degrees. What temp has it been sitting at for the last 3 weeks? Good luck.
Montauk	posted 11-13-2002 10:12 PM ET (US) Oops! just looked at your profile to see where you are at. Have you put it out in the hot sun yet?
Barry	posted 11-13-2002 10:25 PM ET (US) I would first try putting in the sun to see if that will "cure" it. Some of Cetol's other products actually require UV exposure to cure properly. If that doesn't work you might try recoating a section of the tacky wood with another coat of well stirred Gloss. I've read at least one article on the Internet of folks applying an additional coat while the first was still tacky.
crosley95	posted 11-14-2002 06:15 PM ET (US) smirkless, i think if you just give it time, you'll be ok. i wouldn't do anything drastic for at least two weeks. be patient and you'll be pleased. remember.... cetol is not varnish. crosley
smirkless	posted 11-15-2002 02:51 PM ET (US) Thanks Montaulk, Barry, Crosley95, you have given me confidence and settled my nerves. I tried the sun one day and ended up with a fair amount of dust on the finish, although it didn't seem to be THAT tacky. I was able to clean it some. It also stuc to the chair I put it on and pulled the paint off. Usually putting it on a soft/clean rag helps. I still have to build the rest of the console and seat so I have lots of time. Thanks again, Smirk :-)
andygere	posted 11-15-2002 03:45 PM ET (US) What was the humidity? If it's too humid during application, it may not cure properly. If you have a dehumidifier, I'd give that a try. Most of these products reccomend that they are applied in dry weather.
RWM	posted 11-15-2002 10:50 PM ET (US) Is it possible you got a bad batch? Try stirring well and putting on a single thin coat. It should be dry in 24 hours.
Tom W Clark	posted 11-16-2002 12:44 AM ET (US) smirkless, Something may, or may not have, gone wrong. Either way the best thing you can do is wait. In all likelihood, it will get hard with a little patience.
smirkless	posted 11-19-2002 07:56 AM ET (US) Tahnks again. Now that I have all the wood for the rest of the console and RPS I will have plenty of things to do while waiting for the other peices to dry. Before I do any more finishing, I'm going to test the finishing on a spare peice of wood. Smirk :-)