Japanning

Basics

• A Finish Consisting of a Coating that is essentially the Lacquer equivalent of Bituminous Paint
• It was originally an imitation of Lacquerwork from East Asia (which typically used the Toxicodendron vernicifluum tree’s sap (Main relevant component was Urushiol )
• ”Japanning” wasn’t identical, but produces a similar highly durable glossy black coating
• Largely replaced by Polyurethane based coatings, however from an Appropriate Materials standpoint (as well as potentially from a Microplastics / Microplastic Pollution Reduction and Control scheme) it makes sense
• Typically common on older tools, thus some Tool Restoration YouTube channels have devised modern “recipes”

Hand Tool Rescue (YouTube Channel) Recipe

• Quote:

Recipe:

50% Turpentine 30% Asphaltum/Gilsonite 20% Boiled Linseed Oil

Mix together and set aside for at least 24 hours. Check if consistency is like molasses/nutella, and add more turpentine if too thick or more asphaltum if too thin. Wait at least 24 hours after the addition of any further ingredients before use.

Once ready to paint, do not stir or shake the japanning as undissolved particles will be at the bottom of the container.

Paint on one thin coat and let sit for a few hours before baking. Place painted item in cold oven and set it to 200F for 1hr then let cool. Bake it again at 300F for 1 hr and let cool in the oven. Then bake at 350F and finally 400F for 30 min each, cooling in between steps. If japanning is still not hard after 400F, you can bake at 425F for 1 hr.

Once fully hard, you can smooth out the first coat with sandpaper and apply further coats. You can also apply further coats before you bake past 300F, if you think your first coat is smooth enough.

You can also choose to not bake this finish at all, but you will have to wait at least 90 days for it to cure. Addition of japan drier to the recipe may make it cure faster.

Keep the unused japanning in a container with a tight lid. If the japanning starts to get too thick or hardens, you can always add more turpentine to bring it back to life.

Internal Links

• Bituminous Paint
• Asphaltum Asphaltite / Gilsonite
  • It gets into Terminology Hell, but Bitumen or Asphalt tends to refer to the products of Fractional Distillation / Vacuum Distillation rather than the fossil mineral source
  • SUPPOSEDLY the distinction is important

External Links

• The Wikipedia Page on Jappaning
• The Wikipedia Page on Japan Black (Basically a name for the paint used, page is more on the how instead of the where/when)
• A Video by the YouTube Channel Hand Tool Rescue Titled “Best Japanning Recipe ( ‘’’~40 Minute Watch’’’)
• A Video by the YouTube Channel Hand Tool Rescue Titled “Can you Spray Jappaning ( ‘’’~12 Minute Watch’’’ )