[Thomp]

Originally Posted by dryheat

Thomp,
I’ve used Deft for years and on many projects, kitchen cabinets, chess boards, and probably 75 small projects. I’ve sprayed mostly but also brushed but never dipped. My first reaction to your problem is that the Deft right from the can is too thick. The first thing I would try is to thin it 50 % so it can flash dry quickly. It might be that, because it is so thick and the temperature and humidly so high the finish is drying, in areas, faster than others which could trap air. I’ve never dipped as a technique with Deft but have with some other finishes. Do you do the dip quickly and how long do you leave the handle submerged? Since Deft is a lacquer type finish I would think the process should done be as quickly as you can. I’ve found that several thin coats of Deft, sanded between coats with 600/800 grit, gives a much better finish than trying for one or two thick coats.
Nice job on the knives.

Ed

ed,
i dip the handles and get them coated as quick as possible then let them drip back into the can until the dripping is manageable, and then hang them over a rag or drip area i made out of a section of pegboard. and monitor the drip build up on the end, wiping it away...

the liquid deft is dry to touch in 30 minuets. and i leave it to cure 24 hrs before returning to the shop...
i use deft because i like the fast drying time, and its lots thinner than the polyurethane ive used in the past by 50% plus i dont think poly is made to be handled for long periods like for knife handles and such, but it makes one nice looking finish.

Marvin:

if sanding between coats is necessary i use the sand o flex. i got 2 setup, one with 400 one with 80 grit, they was a great ebay bargain...

the blisters are just aggravation, they wont effect the performance of anything and unless i told folks they may go undiscovered, it just makes me mad im paying top dollar for all these materials and getting this performance returned from the finishing step.

brian, its just that i get cut stabbed ir skin ground more often than i wish would happen...

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ok folks,

today with great plans to rectify all this i took a trip to wally world, grabbed a can of acetone and a can of lacquer thinner..
to make certain lacquer thinner was what was compatible with the deft high gloss finish i grabbed a can of deft semi-gloss and looked on the back only to read (they didn't have deft high gloss in stock but should be same.)

"DO NOT THIN FOR SPRAYING OR BRUSHING ON FINISH."

ok im lost . i bought the thinner and acetone.. now.with pockets $12. bucks lighter .. I'M still compused!! did any one actually ever cut deft with lacquer thinner or am i gonna wind up with a quart of snotty unusable mess here when i cut this deft 25%??

[dryheat]

Thomp,
I know what it says on the can but when building our kitchen cabinets, I wanted to use a HVLP spray gun, we called Deft, and they recommended thinning and said the notice on the can was…. When cut by 50% it usually dries in 5minutes or less. Use Lacquer thinner. I suggest you mix up a small batch and try it on some scrap. I use a wipe on varnish on the knives I make as I think it will last longer. Not sure Deft is intended for the constant use and handling a knife gets.
Ed

[Thomp]

guess in a couple-3 hours the 94 outside temp will drop down and ill go try a couple tests on this thinned finish in some small amounts...
i got my grandson till dark, and we need a nap....

[Kenny_S]

I believe there is a temp range for Deft and probaly other protectants and 94 degrees seems a little high to me. Never dipped anything in Deft as it was usually to thick. But I believe have some great suggestions here.

[Thomp]

still no answer from deft expert,

went out yesterday and made a knife handle from peach tree root, seeing the manufacture of deft tech sheets says drys in 30 minuets i dipped the handle 5 times in 3 hours with minimum 45min between coats, well it was cloudy 90 degrees and had 2 down pours of rain during the drying period, the finish was unaffected with blisters and dried hard and clear as the drying/cure time approched 24 hours,,,

my problem must have been closing up shop before the hottest point of the day and leaving the knife to cure up in the heat,
i would have thought the heat would have baked the finish making it cure faster...or harder finish...

[nadcarves]

I use a lot of Deft on Walnut birds.If I let them heat in the Sun, they form bubbles at the pores of the wood..This is regardless of being sprayed or brushed on....Deft will turn white with cold and moisture, but usually comes back..My problem is that after many coats, it is hard to kill the gloss ,even with Satin Deft, so I'll post a HELP post about this problem. Thanks ,cordially Nad