The fire-steels and spark-lite work fine but I also like to have some waterproof strike-anywhere matches on hand, and have a question about them. I have, as recommended in several places, waterproofed them by dipping them in melted wax. I have also "sleeved" them in corrugated cardboard, then dipped them, to make fairly effective self-lighting fire-starters. Either way works great but only if I use them within a couple of months. It is another story, though, if I store them away for a year or so. I tried using some I had stashed away in an emergency kit not too long ago and when I tried to strike them, the match-heads just kind of smeared apart. Has anyone else had this problem? Is there a better way to waterproof these matches so that they are good for the long term?

Thanks.

Instead of dipping each match in wax, drill several holes in a piece of wood so the matches stand up, spray them with polyurethane. After the polyurethane is dry, you have waterproof matches that take up much less space then ones coated with wax. And they are much less messy on a hot summer day sitting in a car trunk then wax coated matches that melt all over. Also they don’t seem to degrade as much.

Any spray paint will work, it doesn’t have to be polyurethane. It’s just that matches look funny if painted any color other then clear.


PS: Don’t use a water based spray paint.

The best waterproofer that I have come across is ladies nail varnish. Colour of your choice.

It has four advantages:

1) Easy to obtain.

2) Easy to apply.

3) Durable.

4) Flammable when ignited. This enhances the burn time of the match.

I have never found strike-anywhere matches to be functional in a long-term scenario.

Even sealed in a jar, the striking surface turns to mush in no time at all.

It's the "safety matches" that last and last. I do like the lifeboat style matches for their long-burning head.

But ... believe it or not ... it's the cheapo paper matches from the gas station that survive longest. Like 10 years or more, regardless of humidity. If they're old, dry them out in the sun. Then cut out four or six, including the base, fold them together and strike 'em up. Away they go. Who the heck knew?

+1 on clear nail polish. Very effective. Although somewhat time consuming, not any more then dipping in wax.

I dip in shellac. That has worked very well for me.

Example....



I have had shellac dipped matches in my matchcases for years with no issues. Wax dipped ones have caused me problems.

Wow somebody that has as many match safes as I do….

Matchcases are sort of another one of my addictions....



This is only a few of them....the old EverDry on the left was my Grandfathers. That one sort of started the chain of events that lead up to a bag full of K&M's as the ultimate matchcase.