"Martin H. Eastburn" wrote in message
...
That is it - Poly ethylene Glycol PEG.
The Glycol replaces the water and deposits Poly ethylene- a.k.a. plastic -
where the water was.


Sort of. Try http://nautarch.tamu.edu/class/anth605/File6.htm for a good
run-down.

What's bad about PEG is that it is strongly hygroscopic, something which
comes in handy when I soak mallets in it - gives a great elbow-easing dead
blow with the softened wood - but is a liability when it comes time to try
and get a finish to work on it.