What Nail Gun Oil Won't Interfer With Finish

John,

I’ve got 3 nail guns, and I’ve never had that to happen to me…Wonder if you might have a “leak down” in your gun, or hose….? Usually after I shoot the nails (a hair below the surface), I just check it for a splinter or something, then put a tiny dab of filler over the nail hole, wipe it smooth to remove any access, and blend it with the wood…..let it dry for a bit, then I’m ready for the finish…...You might try that just to see if it helps, but I would check the gun also…...That’s strange…...!!!!

-- " I started with nothing, and I've still got most of it left".......

If thinner didn’t work, the only thing stronger would be acetone. Probably worth a shot. As always, test on an inconspicuous area.

Crazy question, but are you over-lubricating your nail gun? When I was an auto tech, I’d see co-workers dump a healthy squirt of oil into their air tools everyday. The tools ran well, and lasted forever, but had oil sweating out of every seal. I probably lubed my tools 1-2 times per week, and only with 2-3 drops. And even now, I lube my nailers every 4-5th use (at most), and never had a problem. Just food for thought.

Thinking out loud here …. could you place a piece of paper towel over the area you want to nail? It would soak up anything that came out of the gun and in theory, the nail would shoot right through

-- "there aren’t many hand tools as awe-inspiring as the #8 jointer. I mean, it just reeks of cast iron heft and hubris" - Smitty

2-3 drops per week – In 30 years I’ve never had that problem.

-- Sam Hamory - The project is never finished until its "finished"!

I agree with Tedstor. It sounds like you may be over lubricating your nail guns. To clean them out, use a shot or 2 of brake cleaner in the air inlet and then shoot a few nails into a scrap board. Then recoil them with just a drop or 2 of air tool oil. Then shoot a few more nails into something and all should be good again.

-- Gary,Nebraska

Thinking back on it, John, I don’t oil mine everytime I use it, either….And like was said, I only put 3-4 drops in.

They say to do that, but I’m not so sure you have to oil them after each use….It just depends on how much you use the gun, and then only a few drops…..Uou know the old saying…”A little dab ‘il do ya”.....

-- " I started with nothing, and I've still got most of it left".......

I put a strip of masking tape on, then shoot the nails. I dab a little filler over the hole in the masking tape, give it a finger swipe and let it dry.

A few hours later, I peel off the masking tape, leaving a neat, filled hole that is almost undetectable.

-- Gerry -- "I don't plan to ever really grow up ... I'm just going to learn how to act in public!"

Good idea Dane. I don’t have any issues with the oil. But for a non-fussy way to fill nail holes- that’d be tough to beat.

Gerry…...Why didn’t you tell me this a couple of years ago….? And here I’ve been doing the hard way all along…..!!!!!!

-- " I started with nothing, and I've still got most of it left".......

I use oil-free guns for that reason. Bostitch makes some.

Another strategy would be to use double sided carpet tape and screws from the inside to attach the drawer fronts (I realize this doesn’t help you now!)

-- Willie, Washington "If You Choose Not To Decide, You Still Have Made a Choice" - Rush

+1 for TheDane’s suggestion. Thats how I have been doing it for years.

-- Paul, Las Vegas

Thanks everyone! Hope everyone picked up or learned something from this thread, I know I’ve learned that I’ve been over lubricating and I’ll be using Gerry’s suggestion of a little masking tape in the future. Willie, the idea of an oil free gun sounds great, but I really like my Cadex and will first try the great advice everyone has been kind enough to share.

I guess the real lesson is not to always apply the manual literally, but remember to use a little common sense (which isn’t very common these days).

-- John C. -- "Firearms are second only to the Constitution in importance; they are the peoples' liberty's teeth." George Washington

Hi John. sounds like you got some sound advice. I rarely oil my nailers- maybe a couple drops in a year. I have never experiences what you are talking about.

But to get to your current state of things, I’d try lacquer thinner and let it dry and resand the area. I use Bix wood stain filler to fill all nail holes, It can be sanded and stained and that way I don’t have the dimples for the finish to try to “bridge” across

Take care, my friend!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!......................Jim

-- Jim Jakosh.....Practical Wood Products...........Learn something new every day!! Variety is the Spice of Life!!

If you can’t rid your project of the offending oil, let it cure for a couple of days and use a little shelllac on that area to seal the oiled wood, then proceed with your finishing.

Best Regards. – Grandpa Len.

Work Safely and have Fun.

-- Mother Nature should be proud of what you've done with her tree. - Len ...just north of a stone's throw from the oHIo, river that is, in So. Indiana.

Nice tip Gerry, thanks.

I agree with Len, shellac should seal that oil away from your poly.

-- " I'll try to be nicer, if you'll try to be smarter" gfadvm