Waterproof Matches are a must have piece of survival gear and are key to your survival in an emergency situation.
If you have a sense of adventure, there is one must-have survival item that you won’t want to leave home without. Waterproof matches are not just a cool accessory to add to your backpack, they’re an essential survival fire starter tool, and you simply never know when you’re going to need them.
Which is why you should spend a few minutes learning how to make your own DIY waterproof matches using everyday products like paraffin wax, candle wax, nail polish, and regular matches or even strike anywhere matches.
Waterproofing Matches
Ordinary matches are powerful little sticks… until they get wet. Then, unless you have an awesome tool to light that fire, your adventure trip can quickly turn into a disaster.
So, here are 5 reasons why you should never leave your diy waterproof matches (a.k.a. survival matches) at home.
But purchasing some waterproof matches can be expensive, right? Do you really need the added cost?
The good news is, you don’t! You can create your own waterproof matches for little to no cost, and, in this article, we’re going to show you how to make a match waterproof using common household supplies.
How To Make Waterproof Matches With Turpentine
One of the safest ways to waterproof your matches is to use turpentine.
Here’s the super-easy method:
Step 1: Pour 2 to 3 large tablespoons of turpentine into a glass or container.
Step 2: Place your matches, match head down, into the glass.
Step 3: Leave them to soak for 5 minutes. This will allow the turpentine to soak into the match head and stem.
Step 4: When you take the matches out, spread them on a sheet of newspaper and leave them to dry for about 20 minutes.
Using this method, your matches will remain waterproof for at least a few months.
How To Make Waterproof Matches With Nail Polish Or Shellac
For this process, clear fingernail polish is the better option, but colored polish will work too if that’s all you can get your hands on!
Here’s how to turn your ordinary matches into waterproof matches with nail polish:
Step 1: Dip each match into the bottle of fingernail polish. Immerse some of the stick as well as the match heads.
Step 2: When you take it out, hold the match for a few seconds to allow the nail polish to dry.
Step 3: For proper drying, place the matches on a table, with their match heads suspended a little off the edge. Make sure to put a newspaper underneath to catch any excess moisture.
If you’ve used quick drying polish, this method can take less time than the turpentine method. If the polish isn’t quick drying, it may take a little longer.
All in all, this is a fairly fool-proof way to create water proof matches.
How To Make Waterproof Matches With Wax
The power behind this waterproofing matches approach all comes from the melted candle was or from readily available paraffin wax that you can pick up at pretty much any everywhere including your local hardware and grocery stores.
Here’s the full scoop on how to make matches waterproof with wax”
Step 1: Get some wax. You can use paraffin wax, a loose candle or even a candle in a jar.
Step 2: Light the candle and let it burn for a while. This is to allow a pool of candle wax to form around the wick.
Step 3: When you’ve enough wax, blow the candle out.
Step 4: Dip each into the wax, match head first. Immerse some of the stick too.
Step 5: Hold the match long enough to allow the wax to harden a little. A few seconds should do the trick
Step 6: Place the matches on a table so that each head is suspended off the edge of the surface. Remember to put a newspaper underneath to protect your floor from falling wax.
Step 7: When the wax has cooled down but before it has hardened completely, pinch the end of the wax coating where the stick meets the head. This will form a tight seal.
Tip: Just in case you ever find yourself without matches… check out our How To Start A Fire Without Matches tutorial. Or, check out our lists of the best ferro rod and magnesium fire starters.
So, there you have it.
Making your own waterproof matches has never been easier using simple everyday items like candle wax, nail polish, paraffin wax and turpentine or shellac.
Free Everstryke Waterproof Match Get Yours Now! or Free Everstryke Pro (It’s A Waterproof Lighter!) Grab Yours Right Now, while you still can. Good while supplies last.
