Epifanes PP Varnish

[screwfix]

I wonder if anyone has experience with Epaifaes PP varnish.
I am currently helping to varnish a large yachts exterior with the stuff. We are rolling on the varnish and will top coat with several coats of Awlbrite.

For reasons beyond my control we are not 'tipping off' the varnish with a brush, we're also using very little thinners, about 5%. Application has been in cold conditions, between 10-15 deg centigrade.
we are getting a bad orange peel effect which requires heavy sanding with 120 grit paper to get it flat enough to top coat.

This seems to me to be an awfull waste of varnish. I'm sure we should have tipped off, any I suspect we've used too little thinners.
Any advice would be much appreciated as I really want to learn to get this right.
I've contacted Epifanes but they haven't come up with much help.

Thanks

 

[boatmike]

Too little thinners. Weather too cold. Putting it on too thick. Brush better than roller.
Other than that you are doing great!

 

[Joe_Cole]

Two packs need warmth to "go off" properly. Tipping off is normal practice. I'm not sure about how much thinners to add with Epifanes but the instructions/side of tin should tell you.

Data sheets available here http://www.marineware.com/pdf/epifanes/MW_Epifanes_2_3_PPVarnishExtra.pdf

Out of interest; why Awlgrip on top of Epifanes?

 

[LittleShip]

I only use foam brushes with varnish, works for me and they are really cheap!

 

[stephenmartin]

Sounds like you aren't letting the varnish dry for long enough.....it needs much longer in the cold.....

 

[screwfix]

Thank you very much to everyone who replied, I very much suspected I was doing things wrong but I'm only the deckhand on the boat and just do as I'm told. The boat I'm working on has been putting Awlbrite on top of Epifanes PP for several years without problems with the combination. Epifanes technical manager has no problems with it either.
Many thanks to all, and I'd love to hear from anyone else who has views on this subject.