Alternatives to varnish

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dartmoor

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Hi, in March 2013 PBO did an article on woodstains as an alternative to varnish, and seemed to praise International Woodskin as one product, saying that wood stain was now a much better option than it used to be.

Has anyone tried this (or another one) and had good results? The trouble with varnish is that eventually water finds its way underneath, and then it forms a wonderful trap for mould and then rot to form. Its messy to strip back, and needs lots of coats, and a dry ambient temperature to apply them! (all difficult to achieve in a British climate!)

Woodstain on the face of it is much easier to use - does not have to be stripped off to re-coat, breathes so does not trap water, and is more tolerant on application conditions.

Varnish does look fantastic (for a while...), but I am happy to forego that look for something more functional!
 
We used International Woodskin on some new washboards at the beginning of this season. So far, so good, no sign of any degradation. The finish is pretty dull though. The tiller was done with 7 coats of traditional yacht varnish about 6 months previously. It looked great at the time but it's starting to fall off now.
 
Ronseal Hardwood Furniture Stain is my choice. Use a light or clear one & it keeps the natural colour of the teak & doesn't peel or blister. Each year a quick sand down of damaged or worn areas & apply again.
 
I've used Tung oil with success on non-varnished woods. It dries to a warm satin finish. Also, it is a very good rust protector and very effective against mould.
Also known as 'Rangoon oil' .
 
Have been using a similar product, Sikkens Novatec/Top for 15 years. Far superior to varnish in terms of cost, ease of application and durability. However not a very good gloss finish. International Woodskin is a similar formulaation from the same manufacturer and would expect it to perform well. Will probably use it next time I have to refinish external work. Has a much better gloss than earlier woodstains.
 
I have used Sikkens Cetol for a number of years (perhaps that is what GHA meant!) The best that I have tried for a Varnish like finish. Sadly NLA but Woodskin is sold in its place. People seem equally pleased with it although it is early days yet.

Generally good reports too for Sikkens Novatech/Novatop although the literature says it's not suitable for oily woods!
 
+1 woodskin. Goes on well, really easy in fact (compared to more traditional varnish that is) and I like the finish as does SWMBO. I did a saloon bulkhead last year after stripping it back and using oxalic to bleach out some mould stains. Over the summer season it picked up a few marks here and there. A quick wipe over with a soapy cloth and a new coat slapped on. Easy peasy, job done. ;)
 
KevO said:
+1 woodskin. Goes on well, really easy in fact (compared to more traditional varnish that is) and I like the finish as does SWMBO. I did a saloon bulkhead last year after stripping it back and using oxalic to bleach out some mould stains. Over the summer season it picked up a few marks here and there. A quick wipe over with a soapy cloth and a new coat slapped on. Easy peasy, job done. ;)
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A tip from Tom Cunliffe which really works- a capfull of white vinigar in a small bowl of warm water works really well to clean internal woodwork-and at little cost.
 
Tranona said:
Have been using a similar product, Sikkens Novatec/Top for 15 years. Far superior to varnish in terms of cost, ease of application and durability. However not a very good gloss finish. International Woodskin is a similar formulaation from the same manufacturer and would expect it to perform well. Will probably use it next time I have to refinish external work. Has a much better gloss than earlier woodstains.
Click to expand...

Classic boat magazine ran a trial a few years ago. Sikkens Novatech came out very well indeed. I have used it instead of varnish ever since. Easier to apply and more resistant to the weather. A second coat of Sikkens Novatop really puts the seal on it.
 
Many years ago, having got fed up with he labour involved in keeping varnish in good condition, I started using Masterstroke from AKZO with good results. Later on, when this became unavailable, I switched to Cetol as I had seen it in use in Victoria BC where they have a lot more UV than we do. There was a "gloss" top coat product available for this and very good it was as well. I never managed to find a supplier of Novatech. I understand that Sikens was absorbed into the International group and they have "simplified" their product range, which is why Woodskin is the only thing of this type on the market AFAIK. I find Sadolin to be too runny.

Other things that International have gone to annoy me are to remove Brightside polyurethane paint from their range and reduce the number of colours of their deck paint, removing the shade that I have been using just when I finished a can with the touching up not quite done.
 
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