Best / favourite external varnish - Poll

What's the best / your favourite varnish for external boat use ?

  • Le Tonkinois

    Votes: 5 8.1%

  • Epiphanes

    Votes: 19 30.6%

  • Cetol Filter 7

    Votes: 4 6.5%

  • Deks Olje

    Votes: 7 11.3%

  • Novatech/Top

    Votes: 4 6.5%

  • Awlspar HS

    Votes: 1 1.6%

  • Coelan

    Votes: 5 8.1%

  • Blakes Dura-Gloss

    Votes: 2 3.2%

  • Oil (state type in thread)

    Votes: 5 8.1%

  • Other, non-oil (state type in thread)

    Votes: 10 16.1%
  • Total voters
    62
B

Boo2

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Hi,

Just about to varnish the hatch and washboards for Sunrunner and wondered what the received wisdom is for the best varnish to use ? I personally care much less for a perfect finish and deep gloss than I care about not having to do it again but it's up to you if you allow for that in your vote...

Many thanks,

Boo2
 
The most satifactory coating I have used on solid hardwood is Sikkens Cetol Marine. However I understand that it has been discontiued :(

I would try Novatech and Novatop in its place if I did not have enough Cetol Marine to see me out although according to the data sheet it is unsuitable for oily woods. Forumites who have used it have found no problems on teak/iroko though.

I use International's quick drying single pack polyurethane varnish (whatever the current version is called) on plywood bits and pieces ( wash boards and locker tops ) and I bring them home to be re-varnished every year ( they are at home waiting to be done now)

Edit;
Id not previously come across Cetol Filter 7 .. It looks like something worth trying
 
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I'm presently using Johnstone's Yacht Varnish. Looks strange in the tin, but goes on well and dries reasonably quickly. Mid priced, a bit more than NoNonsense, but less than Ronseal.
 
Mid priced, a bit more than NoNonsense, but less than Ronseal.
Click to expand...

perhaps i don't have the same choice with you ,but i agree the point that the one fits you is the best but not the expensive !
g.php
 
I would use Awlspar HS all the time, but it has become unavailable.
Just checked, no longer on awlgrip website.
 
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I've already bought it, so I'm hoping for no. 7 on the list.. Coelan..
So a little premature question for me to answer..
Otherwise I've just used bog standard stuff..!!
 
wazza said:
I've already bought it, so I'm hoping for no. 7 on the list.. Coelan..
So a little premature question for me to answer..
Otherwise I've just used bog standard stuff..!!
Click to expand...

Well, I have just voted for Coelan as we have lots of it on our boat. However, it's not really a varnish. Fantastic for some things, but should be used with caution.
 
I haven't seen it mentioned in other posts but I used JOTUN UV varnish last year on my bare wood ash tiller which over the years has needed touching in or scraping and re-doing annually. Previous coatings have been both the oil -based types and polyurethane varieties mentioned, but this JOTUN UV looks as good as any and has resisted the abrasions that broke the surface of the varnishes previously used.
I used 2 coats only and did not thin the first coat; I expect to add a further coat in early spring without having to scrape back to bare wood this year either.
I should add that I got the 500ml tin as a freebie, but I don't have a lot of varnish work anyway so this will last for this year.

ianat182
 
The use of "varnish" is misleading.

Far and away the best finish to meet your requirements is Novatec/top. Comes out best in all the long term tests for durability, ease of application and cost. Only downside is rather dull finish.

Just to give you an idea, my mast is now in its 8th season and has had only one freshening coat in that time. Exposed trim such as rubbing strakes, toerails etc, minimum 5 years.
 
Well, I used International Schooner gold on my tiller this year..... 11 coats... and it still looks like new.
Admittedly it got 2 extra coats because I got a couple of runs and had to flat them out.
I've bought Blakes Duragloss for the cockpit next time it gets done because it drys fast and seems to have a reasonable reputation. Time will tell if it's any good.
 
I'm still searching for the perfect finish.

I have tins of Deks Olje (half finished), Le Tonkinois (unopened but purchased after reading a eulogy on this forum) and Blakspur exterior gloss finish polyurethane varnish which I seem to use on interior and exterior wood.

All the threads and reports I've read previously, and all my own and friends experiences have concluded that no matter what is used it'll need doing again in 12 months time. It may last 14 months, but I've not known anything last 2 years.

So very interested to hear about the Sikkens marine products, as I have used them on the cladding on a previous house and it was excellent - but all their products have always been very dark finishes.

Interesting thread
 
I've used International one pack Polyurethane, just bought a small tin of the latest version(I forget what they call it now) and it seems fine. The hatch boards had 6 coats 5 years ago and were touched up last year, but it was sheltered by the spray hood. The hand rails were also done 5 years ago and when not sailing are covered with purpose made acrylic covers but they will need redoing next spring, the problem being that the moisture gets under the varnish at the deck/handrail joint.
The varnished outboard bracket on the stern I've given up on and have just made a new one in solid teak which will remain unvarnished.
The varnished stern cabin washboards I'm making an acrylic cover this winter to keep the UV off when not sailing.
Sikkens Cetol 7 I've used on the house conservatory for several years and it's excellent but never thought about using it on the boat! I understand you should use the pine coloured version as the mahogany colour does go dark.
 
I am now using a french product, wood impreg 120 and overcoated with clear pu 360 uv, its excellent stuff, the 120 is a two pacvk epoxy satrurator, followed by 360, a two pack polyurethane. I will now be using tis on all woodwork on my boat, apart from the masts, which I will still use coelans, which has lasted ten years already. I have an awful lot of varnish on my boat!
I get my 120 and 360 from a place in bristol, very helpful, will get the address for you.
 
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