What is the best stablilizing agent?

Tom Lewis

Tom Lewis

Joined
Feb 24, 2000
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What is the best stabilizing agent to use for wood? Minwax is used a lot but I hear it begans to vaporize at a vacuum pressure of 22. Has anyone tried a Loctite product called Resinol 90C?
I finally have a vacuum system put together and am ready to start stabilizing but would like to use the best product I can.
Thanks, Tom Lewis
 
I'm told by Alex Daniels that Nelsonite 30B02 is the best he's ever used. I've got 5 gallons of it and 1 Kg of Acryloid B72 and plan to do some tests soon to compare the two.

I'd love to hear what others are using as well. Anyone know what WSSI uses?

-Darren
 
I have some of the stuff Mr. Alex Daniels uses also and it is Great,I also use Polyurethane allot also with great results.
Bruce
 
I've used CA glue, but took a while to get it right. The minwax wood hardener works decently. Where do you get that Nelsonite stuff?
 
Hi Bruce,

What type of Polyurethane are you using and how do you use it? Are you vacuum stabilizing? Any dilution? questions, question, questions... :)

Hi Jeff,

When you say you use CA, are you using it with vacuum stabilization? Also, could you elaborate on what you mean by it took a while to get it right?

I *think* you can get the Nelsonite stuff from Alex in smaller quantities than buying the 5 gallons directly from the company. Nelsonite only sells direct to my knowledge, I'll see if I can dig up that invoice later today and post it. If I don't post it by tonight, it means I forgot, just send me an email to remind me. :)

-Darren
 
Hi Tom,

B-72 can be obtained from the following site:

http://www.consemp.com/catalog/index.html

Click on coating products, and then scroll down the page. You dilute it with a solvent such as Acetone. Nathan House seems to be one of the guys with a lot of experience using it, maybe he'll chime in here and post his experience and the dilution ratio's he found most successful.

I'll run out to the shop in a little bit here and dig out that information on the Nelsonite stabilizer.

-Darren
 
Thanks for the information. B 72 may be the best thing to use.
What I like about the loctite product called Resinol 90C is that it doesn't harden until it is heat activated. I have heard although I don't remember where that Resinol 90C is what the Stabilizing companies use for their wood. I hope to get some information from loctite tomorrow on this product. If I do, I will share what I have learned. I would like to talk with someone who has had experience with Resinol 90C. Tom Lewis
 
Hi Tom,

please do post what ever you find out about the Resinol 90C, I think we are all always in the perpetual search for the best thing to use.

-Darren
 
Originally posted by Darren Ellis
When you say you use CA, are you using it with vacuum stabilization? Also, could you elaborate on what you mean by it took a while to get it right? -Darren
Click to expand...

Sure thing, Darren. The CA I use is Loctite 406, which I purchase from McMaster-Carr. I use a Gast vacuum pump, which was originally fitted to a sheet-fed printing press. It will draw about 35hg of vacuum, but I adjust it down a little when necessary. My vacuum jar is a 12" piece of 6-inch PVC sched-40 PVC pipe with end caps pfitted on both ends, one being glued and one being just pressed on. Inside the tube is a sliding screen, which I place whatever my material to be stabilized upon. The vacuum holds the end cap on very tightly with little leakage.

I've used the toughened adhesives from Loctite before, and I like them, but the key is viscosity. The lower the better. You want whatever you are stabilizing to get as completely soaked as possible, and trust me, when you are working with CA you have to be quick, and definitely use disposable gloves *wink*

CA works well on hard woods and ivory, but is a pain to use IMO. Ideally, the best stabilizing agent should be thin as water and set up like glass, and polish like a mirror if you want it to. I been thinking about trying fishing rod epoxy... anyone ever try that stuff?
 
Loctite was supost to call me today with information about Resinol 90C. They didn't. I will try to contact them tomorrow and will post any information I come up with. Tom Lewis
 
I am just using Minwax Polyurethane and thinning it with regular paint thinner to a water type thickness.This will penetrate horns and bone really well.I have had pretty good results with it on wood also.
Bruce
 
I just spoke with the Loctite representative and ordered some Resinol 90C. He said several people were using this product to stabilize wood with good success. This material is thin as water so it penetrates very well. It is heat activated and is suppost to get as hard as glass. I will let you know how it works out. Thanks to all who shared information on what you have been using. Tom Lewis
 
How much shaping do you do before applying the Resinol 90C?
 
Tom,

Loctite Resinol 90C is not easy to get! :(

I have spent the last couple of hours trying to track some down. Local distributors can't sell it, you can only buy it direct. Then on top of that the purchase has to be approved by their rep - which he said would only be possible with credit check, background check, and if I could prove that I had the proper equipment.

Then, the minimum quantity is a 4 gallon container at $70 per gallon = $280.

"Ok" I said, and hung up.

:eek: :eek:



These are the two products I found:

18017 90C RESINOL Impregnation Sealant 4 GA CN
17564 90C STOCK SOLUTION 4 GA CN

The first is heat-cured and seems to be what you were talking about. It is also the one I inquired about (18017). The number I called is 1-800-474-1297 (Loctite Direct). The first place I called was my local Applied Indutrial shop. They gave me the 800 number to call direct.

Am I asking for the right stuff?
 
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