Coelan varnish?

Tim Good

Tim Good

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My gunwales are flaking on a boat I bought last year. On the sides they are ok but on the tops, exposed to more uv or frost, they are bad. I found some documentation that the previous owner used Coelan.

I'm a little nervous to use is given the price and mixed results people have had but since I'm no removing every bit and starting again then it might be a good idea to continue using it. My questions:

Is it worth it or will another varnish be perfectly fine as an alternative?

Can I just rub down the existing areas which are ok and add a another coat like with normal 2 pack varnish?
 
northcave said:
My gunwales are flaking on a boat I bought last year. On the sides they are ok but on the tops, exposed to more uv or frost, they are bad. I found some documentation that the previous owner used Coelan.

I'm a little nervous to use is given the price and mixed results people have had but since I'm no removing every bit and starting again then it might be a good idea to continue using it. My questions:

Is it worth it or will another varnish be perfectly fine as an alternative?

Can I just rub down the existing areas which are ok and add a another coat like with normal 2 pack varnish?
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You are going a bit round in circles on this. If there is Coelan on it then you will have to remove to all before you use anything else - and it is difficult to patch. Would not use two pack as that is fine when it first goes on, but once the film gets broken it can lift off in sheets - and is very difficult to touch up.

As I have said elsewhere, porous woodstain is the only effective coating for ease of application and long life. Although I am now using Woodskin, that is mainly because of the sheen, as for the last 15 years I have used Sikkens Novatec/Top 2 stage which typically lasts 5 years before needing refreshing. The downside is even with a light tint it looks dull after a year or so.
 
I have started using Epifanes RapidCoat. Initial impressions are good. Up to 3 coats a day is possible with no need to sand between coats. This is very appealing to anyone who likes a boat with plenty of varnished timber but doesn't want to spend too much time looking after it. The RapidCoat is lightly tinted and, when applied to my 48-year old mahogany coachroof and cockpit, has resulted in a much more uniform and attractive colour than existed before.
 
Tranona said:
You are going a bit round in circles on this. If there is Coelan on it then you will have to remove to all before you use anything else - and it is difficult to patch. Would not use two pack as that is fine when it first goes on, but once the film gets broken it can lift off in sheets - and is very difficult to touch up.
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Tell me about it. Once I have a rough idea some else tells me or I read something to the contrary. currently my verticals are fine with the current Coelan but the horizontals are blistered and flaking. I was going to ideally just take the tops of the rails back and recoat those.
 
What wood are we talking about. I have just changed to Epifanes Woodfinish which (it says) is specially formulated for Teak and Iroko. It's not a varnish but the finish is pretty varnish like. I am pleased withs the results and the ease of application (no need to sand between full coats) but of course it has only been on a couple of months so far.
 
So I've been through a few.

I love the smell of epiphanies high gloss, but explaining why I like to spend sunny mornings varnishing does raise eyebrows. It last well and is lovely to look at.

I've tried rapid clear for its ability to be used in lesser weather and it's been ok, but needs at least 18 coats to stay looking good. I've done 9 and I'm not totally happy with the result.

Gunwales were done in skippers 2 pack by a yard. Actually lasted really well and has been easy to touch up. Surprised me, but it's true, I've become a fan. For gunwales and hand rails. Not cockpits or comings.

So,

Pick the finish you want.
Decide on how much work you are prepared to do.
Enjoy every minute!
 
Pick the finish you want - Shiny
Decide on how much work you are prepared to do - as little as possible

What is the result?
 
Tranona said:
International Woodskin! Just do it.
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I was going to until JumbleDuck was so scathing of it. Maybe I'll give it a go on the tops and leave my Coelan in place on the sides and make a judgement after this season.

Am I right in saying Sikkens Cetol is a very similar product or am I confusing the product that Woodskin used to be before International rebranded it?
 
northcave said:
I was going to until JumbleDuck was so scathing of it. Maybe I'll give it a go on the tops and leave my Coelan in place on the sides and make a judgement after this season.

Am I right in saying Sikkens Cetol is a very similar product or am I confusing the product that Woodskin used to be before International rebranded it?
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With respect to JD, his is the first negative comment I have heard about the product. Yes Cetol was its predecessor until the product range was rationalised. Seems a good idea to leave the Coelan on if it is sound as I understand it is pig to remove if it has adhered properly.
 
Tranona said:
With respect to JD, his is the first negative comment I have heard about the product. Yes Cetol was its predecessor until the product range was rationalised. Seems a good idea to leave the Coelan on if it is sound as I understand it is pig to remove if it has adhered properly.
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Yes it's like a thick plastic coat but has cause black marks where tiny amounts of water has ingressed. Anyway I have a tin of wood skin in my boot. It's going on next week.
 
I've just put 15 coats of ordinary International on a mast and handrails, then decided to use it on a large floor panel in the rear cockpit of a Freeman 22. Due you think it'll cope with feet or should I have used another sort of varnish?
 
I rubbed back to bare wood and applied Coelan to my boat and after 5 years in Greece it still looked great with no maintenance other than regular washing. It is expensive, but I saved hours of sanding and varnishing. Make sure you follow the instructions and you should have a high gloss finish which will last.
 
I also am a coelan user. I find it far less work than varnish but important to apply correctly. Am happy to share my experiences on using it-just send a message if needed
 
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