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Stockholm Tar and Rope Railings

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lokiprime:
So, I am about to embark on the journey of doing rope railings for my deck out back.  If I season the ropes with Stockholm tar, will they be sticky, gummy or other??  The reason I'm asking is that I don't want the ropes to start collecting dust, pollen and bugs acting like a huge piece of fly paper..
Can anyone tell me how this stuff wears? 
Thanks
Tony

Knot_Easy:
Don't do it!  It will be all of that and the smell will permiate everything for 100m around.   I have only used it on animal wounds and hoofs as it is very sticky and  a powerful antiseptic (I think it is the smell that kills everything in sight) but it does take forever to dry.   It is the reason C18th english sailors were called "Jack tars" - they got covered in it.

However, if you thin it with turps and add Terrebine oil (Japan dryer) it is a bit more practical but that doesn't help the smell much.  There is a recipe here:  http://www.maritime.org/conf/conf-kaye-tar.htm  but I would still do a few trials to see how fast it dries.
I use a similar mix with linseed oil to protect black steel but even with hot days and low humidity it still takes a week to dry.

Sweeney:
I would use a matt varnish. Dries to a waterproof finish in an hour or so and doesn't stink the place out (and it's all but invisible though it will darken and harden the rope slightly).

Barry

lokiprime:
Lol....  Thanks for the heads up.  I may opt to use the varnish.   Thanks lokiprime

Fairlead:
If your rope is natural fibre - use SADOLIN wood preserver - the darkest one looks just like tar anyway.

Gordon

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