Matches dipped in nail polish

Arkansas_Ranger · 06-21-2008, 02:33 AM

I was reading a magazine last night, and saw a "thing" about dipping matches in nail polish rather than wax to water proof them. Being unsure if anyone else had ever heard of this, since I hadn't, I thought I'd post the idea. This keeps the match strike "thing" clean of wax too.

*Note: I've never tried this. Sounds good though.

Ridge Wolf · 06-21-2008, 02:58 AM

Well, nail polish is flammable. More so than wax. Although I haven't done it that way either. Hmm, where's my daughter's nail polish?

Well, I'll vote with those who have tried it. I use regular wood kitchen matches btw and replace them if they show signs of deterioration. test them often.

I found some at Wally World and bought every box they had on the shelf, so have a good supply of them now. I knew 'somebody' was shipping them out despite the hazardous element.

crashdive123 · 06-21-2008, 03:01 AM

I've used nail polish in the past. I prefer wax. In addition to water proofing them, it causes them to burn quite a bit longer than just a plain match. I found that the nail polish, while it worked tended to decrease the burn time. If it's damp outside, I prefer the longer burn time.

RobertRogers · 06-21-2008, 10:30 PM

I agree with crash.

Sarge47 · 06-22-2008, 01:47 AM

I've used nail polish in the past, but couldn't find a color that'd match my Survival Knife.

It water-proofs the matches okay, but I've never checked out the "burn time" that Crash mentions. Since reading his post, think I'll stick to wax.

Arkansas_Ranger · 06-22-2008, 11:26 PM

Okey dokey. Just passing it on. I think the article was in Outdoor Life or Field & Stream.

crashdive123 · 06-22-2008, 11:29 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Arkansas_Ranger

Okey dokey. Just passing it on. I think the article was in Outdoor Life or Field & Stream.

It's always good to share stuff. Many may have not seen or heard of the idea before.

Ole WV Coot · 06-23-2008, 05:12 AM

Wax works. I dip the whole thing. Now this nail polish dipping is it just the match head or the whole match that is dipped? I must confess I haven't bought any nail polish lately, still have some for chiggers somewhere. Rotor cup is almost healed and I need to start loading the ATV & trailer.

crashdive123 · 06-23-2008, 10:22 AM

When I have use the nail polish, I just dipped the head (about 3/4"). Some do it with wax the same way. I prefer to dip the entire match with wax. If you only dip the head and the matchstick gets wet it could wick up to the head. I have taken the fully dipped matches and put them in a glass of water overnight - wiped them off, removed the wax from the head, and lit them.

Ole WV Coot · 06-23-2008, 12:24 PM

Thanks,I will stick with the wax, sounds like one would have to dip the whole match or most of it in polish. That sounds like a pain and long drying time.

crashdive123 · 06-23-2008, 04:34 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ole WV Coot

Thanks,I will stick with the wax, sounds like one would have to dip the whole match or most of it in polish. That sounds like a pain and long drying time.

....and if you use the wrong color the others will whisper about you behind your back.

jrock24 · 06-23-2008, 08:48 PM

Why not buy waterproof matches?

Rick · 06-23-2008, 10:46 PM

Cost. You can take strike anywhere matches and turn them into water proof matches in about 15 minutes of work.

crashdive123 · 06-24-2008, 12:07 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jrock24

Why not buy waterproof matches?

As Rick said cost, and IMO when I coat them in wax they are better than the "store bought" ones.

Ole WV Coot · 06-24-2008, 12:54 AM

You left out the main reason, we are just plain cheap. Had to have grease fittings installed in my knees to sneak thru the woods.

jrock24 · 06-24-2008, 05:05 PM

Ok, I have never had to buy any. I get a box every year for Xmas.

Rick · 06-24-2008, 05:09 PM

I'm with you, Coot. Grease nipples are a lot cheaper than those so called sealed knee joints. They do hang up on the pants a bit, though.

06-21-2008, 02:33 AM	#1
Arkansas_Ranger Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: Arkansas Posts: 290	Matches dipped in nail polish I was reading a magazine last night, and saw a "thing" about dipping matches in nail polish rather than wax to water proof them. Being unsure if anyone else had ever heard of this, since I hadn't, I thought I'd post the idea. This keeps the match strike "thing" clean of wax too. *Note: I've never tried this. Sounds good though.

06-21-2008, 02:58 AM	#2
Ridge Wolf Senior Member Join Date: Feb 2008 Posts: 656	Well, nail polish is flammable. More so than wax. Although I haven't done it that way either. Hmm, where's my daughter's nail polish? Well, I'll vote with those who have tried it. I use regular wood kitchen matches btw and replace them if they show signs of deterioration. test them often. I found some at Wally World and bought every box they had on the shelf, so have a good supply of them now. I knew 'somebody' was shipping them out despite the hazardous element. Last edited by Ridge Wolf; 06-22-2008 at 02:51 AM.

06-21-2008, 03:01 AM	#3
crashdive123 Super Moderator Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: North Florida Posts: 21,635 Blog Entries: 1	I've used nail polish in the past. I prefer wax. In addition to water proofing them, it causes them to burn quite a bit longer than just a plain match. I found that the nail polish, while it worked tended to decrease the burn time. If it's damp outside, I prefer the longer burn time. __________________ Can't means won't! Crashblade Knives & More

06-21-2008, 10:30 PM	#4
RobertRogers Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2007 Posts: 608	I agree with crash. __________________ Earth - love it or leave it. FireSteel.com

06-22-2008, 01:47 AM	#5
Sarge47 Super Moderator Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: Western Illinois Posts: 5,671 Blog Entries: 19	Well, since you asked.... I've used nail polish in the past, but couldn't find a color that'd match my Survival Knife. It water-proofs the matches okay, but I've never checked out the "burn time" that Crash mentions. Since reading his post, think I'll stick to wax. __________________ SARGE "Two things are infinite: the universe and human stupidity; and I'm not sure about the the universe." Albert Einstein Proud father of a US Marine....SEMPER FI! They who can give up essential liberty to obtain a little temporary safety deserve neither liberty nor safety. Benjamin Franklin

06-22-2008, 11:26 PM	#6
Arkansas_Ranger Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: Arkansas Posts: 290	Okey dokey. Just passing it on. I think the article was in Outdoor Life or Field & Stream.

06-23-2008, 05:12 AM	#8
Ole WV Coot Senior Member Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: Southern WV , raised in Eastern KY up a holler Posts: 2,587	Wax works. I dip the whole thing. Now this nail polish dipping is it just the match head or the whole match that is dipped? I must confess I haven't bought any nail polish lately, still have some for chiggers somewhere. Rotor cup is almost healed and I need to start loading the ATV & trailer. __________________ Don't pick a fight with an old man. If he's too old to fight... he'll just kill you.

06-23-2008, 10:22 AM	#9
crashdive123 Super Moderator Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: North Florida Posts: 21,635 Blog Entries: 1	When I have use the nail polish, I just dipped the head (about 3/4"). Some do it with wax the same way. I prefer to dip the entire match with wax. If you only dip the head and the matchstick gets wet it could wick up to the head. I have taken the fully dipped matches and put them in a glass of water overnight - wiped them off, removed the wax from the head, and lit them. __________________ Can't means won't! Crashblade Knives & More

06-23-2008, 12:24 PM	#10
Ole WV Coot Senior Member Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: Southern WV , raised in Eastern KY up a holler Posts: 2,587	Thanks,I will stick with the wax, sounds like one would have to dip the whole match or most of it in polish. That sounds like a pain and long drying time. __________________ Don't pick a fight with an old man. If he's too old to fight... he'll just kill you.

06-23-2008, 08:48 PM	#12
jrock24 THE ROCK FACE Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: Los Angeles Posts: 154	Why not buy waterproof matches? __________________ Surviving in Los Angeles-

06-23-2008, 10:46 PM	#13
Rick Administrator Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: Central Indiana Posts: 28,000 Blog Entries: 2	Cost. You can take strike anywhere matches and turn them into water proof matches in about 15 minutes of work. __________________ Safe Zone LLC "The Most Trusted Name in Outdoor Gear". Check out our free Family Disaster Plan The Mora Bushcraft Series is now available! Knot Making and Wild Edible Plants cards are in!

06-24-2008, 12:54 AM	#15
Ole WV Coot Senior Member Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: Southern WV , raised in Eastern KY up a holler Posts: 2,587	You left out the main reason, we are just plain cheap. Had to have grease fittings installed in my knees to sneak thru the woods. __________________ Don't pick a fight with an old man. If he's too old to fight... he'll just kill you.

06-24-2008, 05:05 PM	#16
jrock24 THE ROCK FACE Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: Los Angeles Posts: 154	Ok, I have never had to buy any. I get a box every year for Xmas. __________________ Surviving in Los Angeles-

06-24-2008, 05:09 PM	#17
Rick Administrator Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: Central Indiana Posts: 28,000 Blog Entries: 2	I'm with you, Coot. Grease nipples are a lot cheaper than those so called sealed knee joints. They do hang up on the pants a bit, though. __________________ Safe Zone LLC "The Most Trusted Name in Outdoor Gear". Check out our free Family Disaster Plan The Mora Bushcraft Series is now available! Knot Making and Wild Edible Plants cards are in!