Finish for Perfume aerosol

Jul 28, 2006 4 Replies

I getting ready to try making a perfume aerosol and wonder what finish should be used, that won't be affected by the chemicals in the perfume. Anyone with experience care to comment?



Thanks, Stew


No experience with your specific project, but...

You'd want a finish that is impervious to alcohol. Shellac is out off the bat. Lacquer is probably OK, varnish would be just fine. Lacquer would yield a higher gloss and may be faster to get to a completed item but may be more susceptible to body oils and abrasions. Varnish is quite durable but takes more care in applying due to longer cure time. To attain a high gloss, one should wait at least 30 days before rubbing out and polishing. Varnish will lend an amber tone to the wood while lacquer is closer to "water-white".

There are certainly more durable and impervious finishes out there, such as the catalyzed varieties, but they're not user or financially friendly

- used more in commercial production.

Do a sample test using a couple finishes of choice and then subject them to perfume and handling as you see your item receiving.

I would use two-part epoxy. Not the thickened adhesive, but the coating. You can get small quantities of epoxy in the form of System Three's RotFix resin available at

formatting link
and I think the Woodcraft stores carry it, too. Mix up a small batch, pour in, swish around for a couple of minutes and dump.

Dan

=================

Stew, For relatively fast finish and convenience, I'd go with spray polyurethane (Varathane, Defthane, etc.). It's fairly impervious to most solvents and should do well with the perfume's base chemicals.

Ken Moon Webberville, TX.

My wife has been carrying a perfume atomizer I made for her about a year ago. It's BL Maple burl coated with CA and still showing no signs of wear.

YMMV

Bill

Join the Discussion

Have something to add? Share your thoughts — no account required.

Didn't find your answer?

Ask the community — no account required