: On the other hand, yours hands may be preserved for eternity.

Sounds kinda like how they are keeping Lenin looking as fresh as the day he died.

But for paddles, has anyone used the old camp waterproofing of paraffin wax dissolved in naptha (or gasoline if you like living dangerously). This used to be the "standard" treatment for tarpaulins and tents, and probably the origin of the term "oil skins" for the havy duty rain gear.

I imagine that a small chunk of paraffin disolved in some paint thinner, or lighter fluid or turpentine or whatever could be wiped on a paddle, and it would soak in. After the solven evaporated the wood would remain filled with wax which should repel the water rather well. I understood that this was basically how Thompsons worked. Question is: Has anyone tried it?

PGJ