Coelan - worth the cost?

Wakatere

Wakatere

Well-Known Member
Joined
10 Aug 2005
Messages
292
Location
Solent
Visit site
My companionway hatch and cockpit locker lids need attention before the season comes around (not just scruffy - varnish coming off in chunks), and I've been recommended Coelan. I'm not worried that this doesn't give the high gloss that some like (these are places I don't want slippery anyway) but it seems expensive. Is it worth it (given that I want to spend time sailing not varnishing)?
 
Suggest you read the article by Richard Hare in this month's PBO on bright finishes and then do the sensible thing and use Sikkens Novatec/Novatop. Far and away the best coating for external woodwork except for lack of high gloss finish. And no, Coelan is only worth it if you have very large areas and want to avoid recoating as long as possible - however it is 10 times the price of Sikkens and much more difficult to apply properly.
 
We have Coelan on our boat. Be aware it is actually very shiny, and quite slippery.

If you want something that lasts lots of years without any work it is worth the cost. If you are happy to touch up annually don't bother.
 
Coelan

I use this stuff all the time here professionally. I would recommend it, however it is absolutely essential that your wooden surfaces are dry. Test it with a moisture meter and it has to be below 15 % or forget it. Also for a flatter surface where you want a quality finish you´ve got two options - first borrow a pistol and small compressor and spray the coelan on (thinned of course) What a difference ! Or apply by brush several coats and then flatten back with p320 and then apply a 2 pack polyurethane over the top for a high gloss finish (Epifanes for eg). Normally if the prep is good, and dry then it will last at least 2 yrs (Med) maybe double this in UK.
 
I used coelan on a ranger 36 for a client and on my 40ft mfv. I followed the instruction to the letter and both jobs were done under cover . within days a white bloom appeared UNDERNEATH the coating and very shortly the coating began to lift. I subsequently brought the Ranger 36 for myself some three years later. I have owned it now for four years and I still trying to get the all of the S**** stuff off
 
My only experience of this stuff is that the previous owner of my boat had applied it to the small areas of external teak, and it looked pretty good. However, there were a few small chips, and the water quickly got in and under, and I stripped it all off. I wouldn't recommend it.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.

Share this page

Top