On Sat, 16 Aug 2008 16:24:25 -0500, "David Hajicek"
wrote:


"Bob" wrote in message
.. .
Is there a good process for treating very light, porous wood (like
balsa, light driftwood, basswood) to harden the surface? I'm thinking
that there must be something that would be absorbed, then polymerize.
But it would have to start off low enough viscosity to permeate the
surface.

I know that heavy two-part surface coats (epoxy, polyester) could
essentially 'plate' the surface, but I'm hoping for something that
would integrate with the wood to be just a bit more natural.

Epoxies like System 3 are fairly low viscosity and because they are slow
cure, they soak into the wood well. You can lower the viscosity more by
adding a little ethanol, but I don't think that is necessary.

Sounds like you have had good luck with that stuff. I'll try to find
it then.

They have several products. Which are you referring to above? I'm
guess that it's "Clear Coat":

http://www.systemthree.com/p_clear_coat.asp

BTW, I found that they have a 'rot fix' product that may help. The
wood isn't rotted, but same kind of thing:

http://www.systemthree.com/p_rot_fix_2.asp

Where do you buy it, David?