Re: [TCML] Varnish for SSTC secondary

[Mark X2 <susax2@xxxxxxxxx>]

Isn't the bubbling caused by the air trapped between the coil form and the
round wire? I mean, when paint is seeping through the windings, the between
air will be displaced outwards and the skin forming, especially with thick
layers, traps the bubbles.

2013/2/1 Joe Mastroianni <joe@xxxxxxxxxxxxxx>

>
> Ive gone through all sorts of varnishes.   Some years ago the Dolph's AC43
> was highly recommended and I used that.  This is an industrial material
> used to varnish transformers.  It was difficult to get it not to bubble up
> unless the temperature is held very constant during the drying process.  I
> tried several other coatings and eventually I settled on a strategy
> developed by fellow TCML members.
>
> After the secondary is wound I coat the windings with regular old "Spar
> Varnish" that is easily obtained at any home/hardware store in the U.S.
>  This stuff is used on boats and other places where the surface will be
> subjected to water.  One or two coats of Spar Varnish will keep the
> windings "glued" in place.
>
> Then I coat the entire secondary in a thick layer of "Envirotex" which is
> also available locally, but also on line.  The Envirotex is poured on and
> smoothed with a blade while the secondary is rotating (very wide putty
> knife works well for this for instance).  That dries to a coating which is
> durable.  I usually coat to 1/16-1/8" thick, and I apply 2 coats, allowing
> for complete drying throughout.  So the process takes several days.
>
> The Envirotex is also prone to bubbling if it is not applied/dried at a
> constant temp.
>
> Pics of my coil winding process available here: <
> http://www.flickr.com/photos/**iceowl/5995053288/in/**photostream<http://www.flickr.com/photos/iceowl/5995053288/in/photostream>
> >
>
> Cheers,
> Joe
>
>
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