Deks Olje problem

[kbowen]

Advice please: Have been using the #1 of this 2-part system but am looking for more durability. I now have #1 plus 2 coats of #2 per the instructions on my bowsprit and it is not inspiring any confidence. I can push my thumb into it and move the skin horizontally over uncured gook underneath. After I applied the #1 I waited about 40 hours: the rags I used had stiffened and the surface felt dry, so I figured it was cured. The can says apply a "rich" coat of #2, which I did, waited 24 hours, the weather has been excellent: sunny, 65 degrees, light wind, but the first coat seemed softer than I have ever applied a second coat of anything to. But I figured I didn't really know this stuff so I went ahead with a second coat of #2, much lighter this time. I gave that coat two days, weather still excellent, but I can scratch it off with my fingernail down to the #1 coat. Tell me what is happening. I have trouble thinking this coating should be so soft.

Ken

[Woxbox]

It's oil, not varnish. It's not intended for a high-build finish. I suspect you have it on too thick. I haven't used it in many years, but I'm a fan -- but you do get a workboat look.

[Todd Bradshaw]

I've used a lot of #1 over the years for a nice, oiled finish. When I tried the #2 on top, I ended up with what seemed very similar to putting a coat of varnish on - reasonably hard and glossy. I eventually just switched to varnish for that sort of look, but I didn't have any sort of drying/curing trouble with the #2 Deks as you have had. I think I'd call the distributor and see if they have any idea of what might be going on.

[kbowen]

I've used a lot of #1 over the years for a nice, oiled finish. When I tried the #2 on top, I ended up with what seemed very similar to putting a coat of varnish on - reasonably hard and glossy. I eventually just switched to varnish for that sort of look, but I didn't have any sort of drying/curing trouble with the #2 Deks as you have had. I think I'd call the distributor and see if they have any idea of what might be going on.

Have you ever had problems with mildew on the #1? I have wooded this Doug Fir bowsprit three times this summer, the first was from a bad winter storage issue in Algoma Wi, the second for black round splotches that appeared, (also Deks #1) and now again for this failed 2 part Deks thing. I don't want a varnish look, I am fine with oiled finish which I have on my pine spars and locust rails, I just want to get something that lasts at least a year.

Ken

[leaotis]

I've diluted #2 with #1 50/50 for a less varinshed look.

[cstevens]

I’m not too surprised that Deks #1 would need a recoat after less than a year on a bowsprit. I like the stuff a lot but it needs to be reapplied frequently. I used to oil the spars on my El Toro with it several times over the summer when I was a kid. I use it in a few places on Skookum Maru. It holds up reasonably well on the rub rails but I tried using it on the swim step and it was gone in a couple of months.

[Todd Bradshaw]

I have always just applied Deks#1 like the directions stated - multiple coats, wet on wet until it won't absorb any more and then wipe off the excess and give it a day or two to dry. With Deks, or any other oil finish, the next refresher coat really should be applied before it starts to look like it needs it, and the type of wood and how open the grain is will have a lot to do with that. I don't think anybody is crazy enough to sell oil with a statement about how long it will last. It is what it is, and it is never an "apply once and you're done" type of finish.

It is strange though, that your Deks #2 didn't dry hard. Did you wipe off the excess Deks #1before allowing it to dry? I can see where a lot of excess Deks #1 on the surface might affect the ability of the Deks #2 to properly dry and harden.

[Nicholas Scheuer]

My experience with Deks #1 and #2 is same as Todd's. No Problems over many years.

[wizbang 13]

Three times over the summer?
cetol baby....10/15 YEARS !!!

[kbowen]

I have always just applied Deks#1 like the directions stated - multiple coats, wet on wet until it won't absorb any more and then wipe off the excess and give it a day or two to dry. With Deks, or any other oil finish, the next refresher coat really should be applied before it starts to look like it needs it, and the type of wood and how open the grain is will have a lot to do with that. I don't think anybody is crazy enough to sell oil with a statement about how long it will last. It is what it is, and it is never an "apply once and you're done" type of finish.

It is strange though, that your Deks #2 didn't dry hard. Did you wipe off the excess Deks #1before allowing it to dry? I can see where a lot of excess Deks #1 on the surface might affect the ability of the Deks #2 to properly dry and harden.

Yes I wiped it with a dry rag, even tho the directions say to wipe it down with a saturated rag, and then, per my OP "After I applied the #1 I waited about 40 hours: the rags I used had stiffened and the surface felt dry, so I figured it was cured."

This is hurtin' me It has been dry around here, but the old timers say we are about to enter the rainy half of the year...

Ken

[Larks]

Hi Ken, I’ve been using Deks #1 and #2 on most of my interior finish over the last few weeks and, despite having already used it extensively throughout the boat without a problem, I had a similar issue on some of the work that I did a few days ago and I put it down to the #1 application process, possibly not wiping it down well enough after saturation and not leaving it long enough between the #1 coat and the #2 coat as instructed - minimum 3 days.

To repair it I sanded it down and redid the #1, left it four days and recoated with light (not heavy) coats. It doesn’t seem to say it on the applications instructions on-line nor I think on the new cans but on the old cans I’m sure it said that multiple light coats (of #2) were better than heavier coats so I have been sticking with that and am getting good results. Anyway my reapplication has been successful

DO NOT THIN. USE AS IS. The secret of DEKS OLJE® D.1’s success lies in its saturation of the wood to bring about an even ”matt sheen” finish when dry.
Start by applying DEKS OLJE® D.1 to an area that can be treated in about 15 minutes.
As soon as the 1st application has penetrated (normally 15-30 minutes), apply a 2nd application.
Continue applying DEKS OLJE® D.1 “wet on wet” until a uniform, overall saturation of the wood is achieved. The number of applications needed depends on the wood.
DO NOT allow DEKS OLJE® D.1 to become dry or touch dry between applications.
Leave final application 30 minutes, then wipe over the surface to remove excess and puddled material with a rag soaked in DEKS OLJE® D.1 and rung out so that it is damp to the touch. If necessary occasionally ring out the cloth to keep it damp. It is important that as much DEKS OLJE® D.1 as possible is applied on the first day.
DEKS OLJE® D.1 must be kept “active”, this is done by the “wet on wet” applications and the continual brushing over of the area, which assists and helps achieve maximum penetration.
DEKS OLJE® D.1 has high penetration; its place is in the wood and not as a surface coating.
Allow 3 days for DEKS OLJE® D.1 to set-up and dry, before putting the boat in service or continuing with DEKS OLJE® D.2*. Temperature is of very little importance when applying DEKS OLJE® D.1.

[kbowen]

Hi Ken,
DEKS OLJE® D.1 has high penetration; its place is in the wood and not as a surface coating.
Allow 3 days for DEKS OLJE® D.1 to set-up and dry, before putting the boat in service or continuing with DEKS OLJE® D.2*. Temperature is of very little importance when applying DEKS OLJE® D.1.

Ok, thanks for the scan!! This says allow 3 days for #1 to cure, but I waited about 40 hours, and I thought that when the rags got stiff, the stuff had kicked off. Maybe this was my problem! Anyway, now I have stripped it AGAIN and am starting over. I may be on the verge of finding out how well the boat sails w/o a 'sprit and jib for a couple days :-)

Ken