varnish drying time

[Dan McCosh]

I occasionally use a varnish that I like in very respect other than it takes a long time to dry, particularly in cool weather. Is there any additive that would speed this up a bit?

[P.I. Stazzer-Newt]

Brand or other indication of the Chemistry?

Sadly, some just take a very long time to cure.

[Dan McCosh]

It's a traditional alkyd varnish. The brand is Kush, which is a local manufacturer. I thought I might talk to them about it. It seems to take about twice as long as the Interlux Schooner I generally use. I've heard of various driers, but don't know anything about them.

The weird thing is that I also use their enamel, which is very good, but dries a little too fast.

[Jay Greer]

I often add "Jap Drier" to varnish on jobs where weather conditions dictate the need for speeding up drying time. The amount is usually a teaspoon to a pint. I most often do this when varnishing on cold or damp days.
Jay

[pcford]

Epifanes has an accelerator...used to have a retardant but I gather that is not being made any longer.

[Thorne]

Japan Drier is what I use, thought it was standard for trad varnish use.

Another thing to check is the age of the varnish -- older stuff may dry slower. Don't know if that brand has a 'best by' date or not...

[lesharo]

Japan drier. It does work.

Almost any varnish will take twice as long as Schooner to dry. But it sure is nice when it's about 55 degress and cloudy.

[RodB]

More concentrated than Japan Drier, but works great ...is
Cobalt Dryer from any art suppy store. One bottle will last you a very long time and it works great with varnish or paint (Alkyd).

Usually, use 6 drops per ounce of paint or varnish. The paint or varnish will dry quicker and be harder... also a great additive if painting atop epoxy and the free amines are causing the paint to not dry... If you apply one coat of paint atop epoxy and it isn't drying, you can apply another coat with Cobalt dryer added and it will make all of it dry. Cobalt dryer is very handy to have around.

RodB

[oakman]

It should be noted that cobalt dryer and Japan both contain heavy metals and should be handled with care. Cobalt, duh.

Anyway glove up, don't eat or smoke and don't drink it. Unless you want to self medicate kemo.

Oakman

[robm]

I have found that some varnishes just won't cure under some conditions.

Specifically, it was an Interlux product, can't remember which one. It will not cure where I live ( northern BC), no matter what I do to the temperature. Even days later, it is still tacky.

On the other hand, General Paint's spar varnish cures reliably at any temperature I care to use it at. And it seems to cure the Interlux, too, if applied on top.

General is made in Vancuver B.C., obviously for BC conditions. The Interlux may work just fine in Florida....

I am surprised that your "local" varnish isn't working for you. I would talk to the manufacturer and see what they have to recommend.