How to Waterproof Matches

There are several “do-it-yourself” ways http://on how to waterproof matches. Here are some household items you can use to easily waterproof your matches before hitting the outdoors. It is important to have a reliable fire starter when camping otherwise you could be left out in the cold.

Ingredients to Waterproof your Matches

• Paraffin Wax
• Candles
• Turpentine
• Nail Polish

Waterproofing – Find Your Perfect Match The Paraffin Wax Method

• Heat a double boiler http://on your stove or over a campfire.
• Place the wax into the boiler and allow it to melt.
• Drop your matches in the melted wax and stir (make sure the wax has completely coated all the matches).
• Use pliers/thttp://ongs to remove the matches http://one-by-http://one from the wax (work quickly but safely to remove them before the wax hardens).
• Without letting them overlap, set the matches aside to cool and dry.

The Candle Method

• Light a candle and allow it to burn for awhile until it has a goodly amount of liquid wax pooled around the wick (about half an inch).
• Extinguish the candle.
• Roll the head and about a quarter inch of the match in the wax.
• Allow the wax to harden slightly before placing the match http://on a table or counter (keep the head suspended over the edge).
• Let the wax cool (but dhttp://on’t let it completely harden) and then pinch the end of the wax coating to form a tight seal. (The wax should cover the head and some of the wood beneath. Pinch the wax in http://on the stick to ensure it is sealed).

(Warning: Only use the Candle Method if you have wood stemmed matches. Do not attempt with paper cardboard matches).

The Turpentine Method

• Pour 2 to 3 tablespohttp://ons of turpentine into a small glass (do not use a plastic cup as it could melt from chemicals in the turpentine).
• Place the matches head down into the turpentine and allow them to soak for about 5 minutes.
• Remove the matches and let them dry out http://on some paper towels or newspaper for around 20 minutes to allow the excess turpentine to evaporate.

The Nail Polish Method

• In clear nail polish dip the head of your match far enough to cover at least an eighth of an inch of the stick below the head.
• Hold the match for a few sechttp://onds to allow the polish to dry and then place the match http://on a table or counter so that the head is suspended off the edge of the surface.
• Place a sheet of newsprint below to catch anything that may drip.

“Come http://on Baby, Light My Fire”

And there you have it.

So, even if your camping trip isn’t guaranteed to be fool-proof, at least you’ll know that your matches are waterproof. To make sure that your waterproofing precautihttp://ons weren’t dhttp://one for nothing, store your matches in a 35mm film chttp://ontainer (or any waterproof vial or case); for extra ease glue a small piece of sandpaper in the chttp://ontainer’s cap to help start the matches.

Waterproof matches: for those “come heck or high-water” occasihttp://ons.

Read more http://on: Camping Matches and Alternatives

Author: Kirsten
(The CampTrip Team)

CampTrip.com – Your Guide to Camping & the Outdoors