Just learned why you should never skip climate checks on out-of-town jobs

I was working on a mahogany dresser in New Orleans last fall. The constant dampness made my oil-based varnish stay tacky for weeks. It never hardened right, and I had to sand it all off. Always bring a hygrometer and plan your coats around the local weather when finishing furniture away from home.

3 comments

3 Comments

sage_dixon8d ago

Used to be stubborn about just controlling the air inside, but that New Orleans job proved me wrong. No amount of AC or dehumidifiers beat that swamp air. Now my kit always has a cheap hygrometer, and if the humidity spikes, I just stop. Waiting a day beats sanding off weeks of work.

the_lisa8d ago

Having to redo all that work sounds awful. What do you do when the weather changes suddenly during a multi-day finish? I've had projects ruined by rain that came out of nowhere, and it's so annoying. Tbh, I always check forecasts, but humidity can jump even on clear days. Do you have a sure way to change your finishing plan fast? Ngl, picking up tips from others here might stop a lot of wasted time.

michaelo492d ago

That hygrometer tip from @sage_dixon is a lifesaver, it's the first thing I pack now. What kind of finish were you using when the rain messed it up? Some oil based varnishes give you a little more working time if you know a change is coming, but shellac is my go-to switch if things look risky. Do you usually stick with one type of finish or do you switch it up based on the forecast?