Anchor seal problem!

[DeanGraber]

I just turned an Alaskan Yellow cedar HF this a.m. that was end sealed with Type II blue (I bought blue because at the time there were several of us cutting and sealing so I would recognize mine). Parts of the HF now have blue/green dots well into the piece. Evidentally the sealer had wicked up the grain! Anyone else had this problem? Just wanted to give a heads up to those that use it. I have contacted UC coatings and have not had reply.

 

[MichaelMouse]

Dots in sapwood only would suggest our friend mildew. The second reason I stopped using sealer. Heartwood could probably resist it fine. I'd touch it with bleach to see what happens before I fed it to the stove.

 

[john lucas]

THanks for the heads up. Have you tried brushing mineral spirits on it. If it is the wax in the pores it might get it out. If it's mold then probably not.

 

[Bill Boehme]

Colored Anchor Seal 2 is intended to be used as a means of identification for lumber that is being air dried. The wax can completely soak into wood a considerable distance leaving no noticeable surface film, especially during the heat of Texas summers. Even with the clear Anchor Seal, I only use it on logs or large blocks that I cut -- never on a roughed out turning. If I feel that a rough turning needs something to slow its drying, I will smear some shellac on the exterior end grain or sometimes use masking tape.

Instead of mineral spirits, I would recommend naphtha to dissolve the wax, but at this stage it might just be better to figure out a way to feature the blue as a design element.

 

[DeanGraber]

thanks this was not a roughed out turning, it was a rather large block. Have tried the min spirits and the bleach and nothing . Still nothing from UC coatings either. maybe it's time for naptha!

 

[Bill Boehme]

The naphtha is better at dissolving wax, but at this stage it might be too late for anything to help if the stain has already gone from the wax and into the wood.

Seriously, dyeing the wood with blue and/or a mixture of other TransTint dye colors can disguise the problem and will often enhance the chatoyance of the grain in wood. Here is a link to an image of a maple platter that I made recently and used various colors of dye to enhance the figure: CLICK HERE TO SEE IMAGE.