How to waterproof matches?

C

CShepherd

Joined
Feb 27, 2006
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So what do you all use to waterproof matches, especially the strike anywhere type?

I've used wax in the past but it seems to soften the head after a while.

I've heard of some people using shellac, or was it plyuerathane?

Any suggestions would be great.

Charlie
 
man up and go to the makeup section and buy clear nail polish. Dip the heads and let dry dip again and let dry.
 
i used wax, but when i pulled mine out some time later, i found that they were no good for anything but kindling, much like yourself.

i got a waterproof matchcase, and have largely switched over to using a lighter or firesteel anyways, so i haven't tried out the nail polish method.

interested in hearing about long term storage with the nailpolish...bushman, what say you?

i do have some bright pink nail polish handy, if i did some matches in that i wouldn't have to worry about being able to see them in dim light... :D
 
Cody Lundin, in "98.6 Degrees", explains how to waterproof matches by coating them in paraffin wax. To do this, he melts down candles in a pot (personally, I would double boil them in an old can, in the pot), drops the matches in, waits a few seconds, removes them with tweezers, and sticks them head-up in styrofoam to dry.

Sounds like it's worth trying.

Myself, I just use a waterproof case. I'm tempted to try a mix of paraffin and petroleum jelly, though.

All the best,

- Mike
 
Bushman5 said:
man up and go to the makeup section and buy clear nail polish. Dip the heads and let dry dip again and let dry.
Click to expand...

You know I was wondering about the nail polish. I used to keep a bottle of clear around to use as a removable thread lock on firearms. Works great but doesn't take as much effort to loosen.

I've also wondered how well crazy glue would work. Might have to go try some of it right now. I'll report back later. :D

Charlie
 
Cpl Punishment said:
I use a waterproof matchcase.
Click to expand...

Same here.
I tried a few things a long time ago but they all seemed to degrade the quality of the match somewhat and, over time, caused the matches to become almost useless, whereas an aged, dry, cumbly match will still light. I gave the idea up a long time ago. Maybe I was just doing it wrong but I wasn't satisfied with the results. I would be even less inclined to do it to what is available today, as I personally feel that the old Ohio Blue Tips really were a better match. Then again, a half-dollar used to almost cover my entire palm and now they just seem smaller.:p

This is no criticism of the endeavor. I just did not like the results I got whith the methods I tried. It also occurred to me that, if I did not waterproof the entire matchstick, the matchstick could possibly transmit moisture into the head, albeit slowly. The downside is that the head would subsequently dry out very slowly as well. I have "dried" untreated, damp (not "wet") matches brushing the head briskly on the inside of a stocking cap or shirt or just keeping them in a shirt pocket for a bit. Those were matches kept in a carboard box in an out-building and subject to the ever-changing moisture in the air. Never had that problem even from a make-shift match safe.
 
We're obviously immature and irresponsible in Oz so are allowed only 'Safety' matches - the 'strike anywhere' have been banned here for years. Most camping stores sell 'waterproof' matches and I don't know what the coating is but it's kinda effective. They're harder to get going than ordinary matches but will still light up if only damp and not wet. I still keep mine in an airtight container but then I'm a "braces and belt" type of guy.
 
antonio_luiz said:
We're obviously immature and irresponsible in Oz so are allowed only 'Safety' matches - the 'strike anywhere' have been banned here for years. Most camping stores sell 'waterproof' matches and I don't know what the coating is but it's kinda effective. They're harder to get going than ordinary matches but will still light up if only damp and not wet. I still keep mine in an airtight container but then I'm a "braces and belt" type of guy.
Click to expand...

That is unreal. A ban on matches.:confused:
 
I use clear nail polish and I have used wax. The wax is a mess. if you want to wax them, go to goodwill and get a pan from there to use.
 
I use shellac. I've always got a jar of fresh mixed around from some project or other. I just dip them in, lay them out for a few minutes, then dip the other (undipped) ends in, let dry for 5 or 10, repeat the process. Sometimes I'll go three coats.
 
dipbait said:
That is unreal. A ban on matches.:confused:
Click to expand...

Every once in a while some fool kids hurt themselves.

We had a local case of one teen who made a "pipe bomb" with hundreds of strike anywhere match heads cut off and stuffed inside a copper water pipe.

...he hammered the end shut...

and now he knows better...
:rolleyes:
 
I have used nail polish to cover the whole match, five years later they still work ok..


can anyone recommend any specific brand of strike anywhere?

I understand those special storm proof matches are good, but i just picture myself losing that little damn strip...
 
I've got nail polish coated matches that I dipped 20 odd years ago... I just tried one and it works fine. I only have a couple left, actually. I've never needed them for emergencies but use them more for testing to see if they still work! I guess it's time to make some more. I found a shop that still sells the 'strike anywhere' matches... I think "Diamond Blue Tip" brand, something like that. I'll pick up a box next time I'm downtown. I have plenty of clear nail polish around. It's a great sealer!

Stitchawl
 
So I did an experiment. I coated some with crazy glue. Specifically it was the brush on type. Checked them this morning by dipping them in water for a moment, drying them off then striking them. It's sort of a funny thing, they flare just a bit for a micro-second, pause with almost nothing, then burst into the normal flame. Kind of wierd but they did work.

I also spray painted some with some orange krylon I had. Pretty much did the same thing. They seemed a bit harder to light though.

I am going to get some clear finger nail polish and try that. Need some for other projects anyway.

Charlie
 
dipbait said:
That is unreal. A ban on matches.:confused:
Click to expand...

I have a similar story.

When I started backpacking again, and got a match safe I went looking for the strike anywhere variety.

I hit every local store and when I would ask for them the clerk would look at me like I was crazy or something.

I wondered if they had stopped making them for safety reasons:confused:

Well I went home and was telling my wife about going to every store and everybody looked at me like I was nuts, and I was puzzled why nobody sold them. My wife who works in environmental health said that she had gone to a workshop by the state police on METH LABS and apparently the strike anywhere matches are somehow used in the fabrication of CRANK:eek: and a lot of stores, at the request of law enforcement had stopped stocking them.

So they probably all thought I was an aspring chemist and some sort of criminal. No wonder they were looking at me funny:o

Ended up Cursed Karma heard of my plight over on KF and sent me several boxes. In the ensuing discussion some online sources were also mentioned. About 2 months later I found out the store I buy my hay at, which is also a grocery store had them, or did at that time.

But now I'm probably on some watch list:rolleyes:;)
 
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