Epoxy (?) and varnishing a laminated tiller

R

Richard_Peevor

Well-Known Member
Joined
28 Nov 2002
Messages
236
Location
Swansea, UK
Visit site
I have a pretty standard swan-necked tiller made out of the usual laminated wood. Two years ago I sanded it back to the wood and varnished it with lots of coats of yacht varnish. I has now mostly flaked off and I need to repeat the job...

A cover is not practical for me and so I just want to treat the wood in the best way possible. Is expoxy the best option? I have never used these products and before going out and spending lots I thought I'd ask advice!

Please could you offer recommendations of the exact products to buy in the swindleries / DIY stores to do this job adequately.

Thank you in anticipation!
 
Our wheel is laminated wood and looks very good after 4 years with a finish of 2 pot varnish - but I must admit it is covered! Is there no way of furnishing your tiller with a cover? It's probably the only way to keep a good finish. I have seen tillers covered with an acrylic 'sock'.
 
G'day Richard,

Epoxy is not in itself UV stable, so leaving exposed may even start it delaminating, you could / should coat it with epoxy if you decide to paint it though.

Another alternative is to oil it, this has to be done regularly depending on the brand / type, about every 3 months is average.

A good 2 pot Varnish should last a while but you do really need to look at slipping something over it to protect it from the sun and rain when not in use, even an shirt sleeve would help.

Avagoodweekend......
 
Did my laminated tiller 4 years ago using Ronseal Clear Exterior Gloss Varnish. Tiller has been on the boat ever since (uncovered) & the coating is only just now starting to degrade in a few small places. A damn sight cheaper than swindleries, easy to apply & "does what it says" etc. It also looks & feels very nice. Also if/when I decide to strip & recoat, varnish comes off a great deal easier than poxy! Most of the wood on my boat was poxy coated when I got her, and in very poor condition. It took forever to strip the poxy coating off & in some areas needed so much mechanical abrasion/scraping that it damaged the wood underneath. I know I'm a dyed in the wool traditionalist, but if doing the work yourself, I recommend sticking to the old ways, the reason they are still around is because they work! If you want a gloss finish go with exterior varnish, if a matt/semi matt finish I suggest a decent oil, it only takes a coating every few months to remain looking great for years.
 
Just to be different, I'd recommend le Tonkinois.

Unlike ordinary varnishes, it doesn't flake, even if the wood gets damp underneath. I did my brightwork 3 years ago and the bit of my grabrails that's exposed all the time could use a quick rub down and another coat, but wouldn't hurt if it waited another season. The rest, which is under a cockpit cover when I'm not on board is still like new. It has a non-slip, high-gloss finish.

I was impressed enough to do my stairs at home with it and it's survived the tender ministrations of 3 teenagers plus SWMBO and me for the past three years

A google will find a stockist near you
 
Outdoor furniture oil. Slop on at least 3 coats. Recoat once a year if necessary. Sand the wood as smooth as possible, preparation is everything. Just apply the oil till it wont take any more.
 
I use epoxy as the first two coats on wood, and then two coats of a flexible varnish with UV absorber. The systems works well. If you want to get it all off in a few years, a heat gun works great. No need to scrape, abrade, etc, the epoxy softens and comes off with the varnish as a strip.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.

Share this page

Top