waterproofing wooden vases for flowers

[Random Orbital Bob]

Doubtless this has surfaced before but....

I've been asked to make turned vases for table decorations at a family wedding and they'll have oasis (that green stuff that holds water and flower stems in place) in them. Obviously they need to be water proof so I've been inserting baked bean or sweet corn tins. Is there any finish that will render them completely water proof? I seem to recall discussion about a rustins product that might do it???

 

[Paul Hannaby]

Rustins plastic coating is what you're thinking of. A few coats of that will waterproof the wood.

Treatex is reputed to be waterproof too but the manufacturers say it isn't suitable for outdoor use so perhaps it isn't as waterproof in the long term. For a one day event long term probably isn't so important!

 

[jurriaan]

Germans use a special kind of pitch - for woodturning, but mostly for waterproofing wooden beer barrels.

Some hints here (in German)

• 
  link 1. holzwerken.net
  
  link 2. killinger.de
  
  link 3. zirbelholz.de

it should explain itself. One thing to know is that the pitch is hot enough if 'it spits back' if you spit into it.
BTW: Don't heat it over an open fire or risk a big open fire....

 

[Random Orbital Bob]

Thanks chaps....think I'll investigate the Rustins one for now

 

[Phil Pascoe]

Rustin's Plastic Coating is an excellent product - I did two bar counters with it 28 years ago that are still OK (now worn through on the leading edges). They must have seen their share of liquids over the years.

 

[Random Orbital Bob]

Righto, that is praise indeed!

 

[Rhyolith]

Could paint the inside with yacht primer and then a yacht paint colour of your choice? Or the yacht vanish, it works on sea going norfolk beach boats (made of oak) so don't see flowers being an issue. Essentially look through the boat finishes, of there are quite few I know from my short time spent on the boatyard, so least one will do for your vases....

Edit: I think the vanish they used in the boatyard was rustins

 

[Beau]

West system resin as used for boat building would also do the trick.

 

[Bodrighy]

I use the plasticote on all my goblets and haven't had any problems yet after a good few years. I even tried it on some saki bowls I di and filled with boiling water and it didn't seem to have any effect. It is also alchohol resistant.

Pete

 

[mind_the_goat]

Could paint the inside with yacht primer and then a yacht paint colour of your choice? Or the yacht vanish,

Just a thought but wouldn't that be designed to stop things growing on it, maybe not great for flowers ?