Tacky, Sticky, Slow Drying Varnish

¶ Tacky, Sticky, Slow Drying Varnish. Varnishes are made to work perfectly within certain limits. Perfect results come only when varnishes are applied under perfect conditions. The requirements are a temperature of from 70 to 80 degrees, good ventilation, without drafts, light and not too much humidity. Extremes in weather, very hot, very cold and very humid, damp days interfere with getting perfect results. Varnishes are made which will do good work under each of these imperfect conditions, but special Tarnishes should be used under special conditions.

¶ Tacky, slow-drying or non-drying of varnish is most often encountered in churches, halls and other places as on pews and seats. The cause of the trouble is poor air, poor or no ventilation, air loaded with ammonia and other gases and moisture. If the old wood is greasy before varnishing, not thoroughly cleaned of perspiration, finger marks and the usual dirt accumulation on furniture, the varnish may fail to dry or remain tacky. Or it may dry and soften up again under the heat of the human body when on chairs or pews. Painted or grained surfaces containing too much oil will prevent the varnish from drying hard and tackiness may result. A minimum of oil ought to be used in all under coats for varnish. The remedy is to remove the varnish and refinish with hard-drying pew varnish. In some cases a coat of thin shellac will eliminate the trouble. Tackiness is often the result of using the wrong kind of varnish for the job. Any good interior spar, coach or cabinet varnish will serve satisfactorily if the surface and under coats are correct.

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