Best Japanning Recipe for Restorations (Stanley, Singer, Ford)

I test six different recipes for Japanning, in order to find the one that gives the most consistent finish for my future restorations.

TIMESTAMPS:

1:20 Ingredients for Japanning
6:00 The Six Recipes Tested
6:55 Methods of Preparation
12:35 Results

RECIPES TESTED:

A. Plane Dealer’s 50/30/20: https://www.plane-dealer.com/single-p...

Adjustments: 200F is not a high enough temp for a full cure. Bake at intervals of 275F for one hour, then 350F for one hour, and then 400F for one hour, or until the finish is hard.

B. JayT’s 2:1 blend: https://www.lumberjocks.com/JayT/blog...

Adjustments: I do not see the need to let the paint sit for more than 1 hour before baking, as good flow-out occurs. A second bake at 375F for 1 hour was required for the finish to harden.

C. McBrownie’s 40/40/20 blend: https://www.garagejournal.com/forum/s...

Adjustments: added 40ml Senefelder’s to thicken up the mixture. Baking at 400F causes the finish to smoke and thin out too much at edges. Start at a lower temp such as 275F for one hour, then 350F for one hour, then 400F for one hour.

D. Ford F-101 blend: http://www.mtfca.com/encyclo/P-R.htm

Adjustments: after noticing some congealing after mixing, as well as particulate in the finish, I reduced lamp black, increased BLO, and used turpentine instead of mineral spirits for better dissolution. To avoid smoking, I started at a lower temp of 300F for one hour, then 350F for one hour, then to 400F for one hour until finish hardened.

E. D.C.’s 50/50 blend: https://www.inthewoodshop.com/ToolRes...

Adjustment: added 350ml more marine spar varnish. Even then, the varnish did not completely dissolve the powdered asphaltum. Finish was too grainy, was not easy to paint on, and had slow flow-out. Conclusion: powdered asphaltum must be dissolved in a hydrocarbon base first before added to spar varnish, such as in recipe B.

F. G.R.'s 40/40/20 blend: https://aplanelife.us/blogs/f/japanni...

Adjustment: added 100ml turpentine, but recipe was not salvageable due to congealing over 72 hours after initial mix. Second attempt (mix 2.4oz asphaltum with 3.2oz turpentine, allow to sit 24 hours, then add oil) also failed due to congealing. The oil needed to be added during initial mixing.

HTR YouTube video:    • Best Japanning Recipe  

WINNING FORMULAS:

#1: Recipe D (Ford recipe):
To make 8oz, mix 2.56oz gilsonite powder with 4.4oz real turpentine. Mix well before adding 0.10oz of lamp black powder. Mix well before adding 1.8oz purified, cold-pressed BLO. Cover tightly and let set for at least 72 hours. Apply a thin to medium coat to surfaces, then cover and let sit for one hour to allow the paint to flow out. Start in a cold electric oven, and bake at 300F for one hour. Allow to completely cool. Repeat baking process at 350F for one hour, then to 400F for one hour until hard and dry. Sand & re-coat as necessary. Allow to fully cure for at least one week.

#2: Recipe C (40/40/20 Recipe):
To make 340ml, mix 280ml Senefelder’s liquid asphaltum with 60ml purified, cold-pressed BLO. Cover tightly and let sit for at least 72 hours. If too thin, add more Senefelder’s; if too thick, add more BLO. For vertical surfaces, test a piece first to ensure it doesn’t sag; if it does, thicken it up. Apply a thin coat to surfaces, then cover and let sit for one hour to allow the paint to flow out. Start in a cold electric oven, and bake at 275F for one hour. Allow to completely cool. Repeat baking process at intervals of 50F, up to 400F if needed, for one hour until dry and hard. Sand & re-coat as necessary. Allow to fully cure for at least one week.

PRODUCTS USED:

100-micron filters: https://amzn.to/37yzFBx
½” mop paint brush: https://amzn.to/3fjq9ow
Steel wool: https://amzn.to/37tTuKs
Paint booth: https://amzn.to/3dV5bfr
Hot Plate Magnetic Stirrer: https://amzn.to/2XWf7j8
Beakers: https://amzn.to/2XWYns0
Gilsonite: search ebay user quartzpegmatite or https://www.graphicchemical.com/
Purified BLO: https://www.solventfreepaint.com/clea...
Senefelder’s: https://www.graphicchemical.com/
Real Gum Turpentine: https://amzn.to/2BWZ6Rs
Lamp black: https://www.naturalpigments.com/lamp-...
Marine spar varnish: https://amzn.to/2CFnDry

DISCLAIMERS:

I own nothing: credits go to their rightful owners. For entertainment/educational purposes only. I’m not responsible for any fires, cancers, divorces, or other misfortunes that come about during your own attempts at japanning. This video and/or description contains affiliate links, which means that if you click on one of the product links above, I’ll receive a small commission. I have not been otherwise compensated to use or discuss any of the tools or equipment seen in this video.

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