Cleat Lacquer/Varnish

[Ian_Rob]

The top step of my companionway steps needs rubbing down and refinishing with clear vanish/lacquer. I want something that is tough and water resistant.

Of the Clear Matt/Semi-Matt finishes available in a spray can, is there one that stands out as being particularly durable? The timber is Moabi (similar to Sapele).

 

[john_morris_uk]

Why spray can? The toughest varnish is two pack. You can get it in various sheens down to matt. It lays on with a decent brush very nicely. (Clean the brush with acetone before it cures!). I’ll take a photo of the stuff we have onboard when I get a chance. I buy it from a commercial distributor at a VERY reasonable price.

 

[Ian_Rob]

OK. Thanks for the suggestion, I will see what I can find online and give it a try..
The companionway hatches dont‘t let in much water unless the wind is in a certain direction or we forget to slide the top hatch over but the top step has takes the hammer over the years and I would like to address it properly this time around.

 

[PCUK]

If you can stand a slight brown colour then Burgess Wood Sealer can't be beaten.

 

[neil_s]

I have found Ronseal easy to apply, durable and easily obtainable . The exterior and Yacht versions do have UV protection, but I find they don't change the colour of darker woods greatly.

 

[jwilson]

Two pack varnish is certainly the toughest. Good until you need to get it off again, which sooner or later you will. It really is difficult to get off: some bits flake off, other bits are rock hard. You have to work really hard to get it all off, or accept a horrible "patched" look.

Companionway steps get a hard life. I will not use two-pack on my own boat for this reason, I prefer 5-8 coats of ordinary oil-based varnish - Ronseal seems pretty good. It will come off easily with a heat gun and scraper, or if you can get a non-DIY-shop paint stripper. Current DIY stripper products near useless as elf-n-safety has taken all the good effective dichloromethane out of them. "Professionals" can still buy the good stuff, but even these products don't work as well on two-pack as on single pack paint.

 

[john_morris_uk]

Two pack varnish is certainly the toughest. Good until you need to get it off again, which sooner or later you will. It really is difficult to get off: some bits flake off, other bits are rock hard. You have to work really hard to get it all off, or accept a horrible "patched" look.

Companionway steps get a hard life. I will not use two-pack on my own boat for this reason, I prefer 5-8 coats of ordinary oil-based varnish - Ronseal seems pretty good. It will come off easily with a heat gun and scraper, or if you can get a non-DIY-shop paint stripper. Current DIY stripper products near useless as elf-n-safety has taken all the good effective dichloromethane out of them. "Professionals" can still buy the good stuff, but even these products don't work as well on two-pack as on single pack paint.

Paramose paint stripper will remove two pack.
PAINT STRIPPER THICK GEL 5 LITRES INDUSTRIAL USE : READ IMPORTANT DETAILS BELOW! 5015074123116 | eBay

PS. I put treadmaster anti slip decking on the treads of our companionway ladder. Looks neat and they’re very non slip and it saves the varnish.

 

[Spirit (of Glenans)]

Two pack varnish is certainly the toughest. Good until you need to get it off again, which sooner or later you will. It really is difficult to get off: some bits flake off, other bits are rock hard. You have to work really hard to get it all off, or accept a horrible "patched" look.

Companionway steps get a hard life. I will not use two-pack on my own boat for this reason, I prefer 5-8 coats of ordinary oil-based varnish - Ronseal seems pretty good. It will come off easily with a heat gun and scraper, or if you can get a non-DIY-shop paint stripper. Current DIY stripper products near useless as elf-n-safety has taken all the good effective dichloromethane out of them. "Professionals" can still buy the good stuff, but even these products don't work as well on two-pack as on single pack paint.

One could buy dicloromethane and add it to the stripper.
Buy Dichloromethane Tech Online | UK Chemical Suppliers

 

[Ian_Rob]

Thank you! All very helpful.

 

[TSB240]

The top step of my companionway steps needs rubbing down and refinishing with clear vanish/lacquer. I want something that is tough and water resistant.

Of the Clear Matt/Semi-Matt finishes available in a spray can, is there one that stands out as being particularly durable? The timber is Moabi (similar to Sapele).

Industrial Spray Lacquer 500ml | Toolstation

I have used this to make good durable repairs on interior and companionway steps that are usually factory finished in laquer. Thicker application takes longer to harden. My experience was to apply a couple of coats when leaving the boat. It is then hard enough a week later to walk on or reapply another layer.

 

[Sandy]

Le Tonk