CEParagon124 - Posted - 04/14/2015:  10:07:17

Has anyone ever used Thompson's Water Seal as a wetting solution when applying a new skin head to a banjo?

Is there any reason that should not or could not be done?

Charlie Noyes

Crusty - Posted - 04/14/2015:  10:13:03

Not me.  I use tap water to wet the skin to make it pliable for installation and then after it's completely dried I use Soft Sole to treat it so that it's insensitive to humidity.

steve davis - Posted - 04/14/2015:  10:30:52

I use a dampened facecloth to wet the head.

trapdoor2 - Posted - 04/14/2015:  10:35:45

I'd avoid it if you didn't want your whole banjo to be waterproof.  It contains mineral oil and paraffin, among other things. Since I make a pretty good mess when I'm mounting a new head (I soak mine in the kitchen sink), I'd have the whole pot assembly covered before I got thru.

Not that you shouldn't try it out...but I'm not entirely sure the hide would soften or dry out nice and stiff like it does with water. Worst case, you have to throw that head away. I'd use rubber gloves too.

Just thinking out loud: if I were to do any experimentation like that, I'd start small (pieces). Hmmmm. Might work on a head that has already been mounted and stretched. Then again, might not!

For the record, I've never used anything but tap water. I have heard of using sealers but have never done it. Never had a problem, even in humid conditions.

ClayTech - Posted - 04/14/2015:  11:32:55

Cut a small chunk off the edge of the head, soak it in the stuff and see if it hydrates and dries normally.

CEParagon124 - Posted - 04/14/2015:  15:01:17

Thanks all.

I've read the instructions and watched videos of the process.

Others recommend brushing on Thompson's or other sealants after the head is set.

I was just wondering if a short cut was a feasible option.

Charlie Noyes

Jonnycake White - Posted - 04/14/2015:  15:03:22

There are now water-based water sealers (how's that for irony?).  I don't recall Thompson makes one, but I've got a gut felling that they would do a better job wetting and shrinking rawhide than the VOC based ones.

That said, I think I'd mount the head normally first and then apply the sealer, if I was worried about humidity affecting the head tension.

Bart Veerman - Posted - 04/15/2015:  03:44:39

quote:

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Originally posted by Crusty

I use Soft Sole to treat it so that it's insensitive to humidity.

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Real curious about this one Mike - is it (and if so, which one) one of these products?

Bart.