Floor varnish

[ifoxwell]

So following on from my previous thread I have started on the process of re varnishing the inside of our boat.

I started with the sole boards and following a recommendation on thsi excellent forum bought some Flag floor varnish, and it has proved to be excellent... so good that I'm thinking I could just varnish everything with it.

Would that be a mistake, will it run to much when I'm covering something that isn't flat or horizontal, or will it chip to easily when its dried or will it be ok

Thoughts please

Ian

 

[robmcg]

If the consistency of the Flag varnish is similar to most varnishes then I can't see a problem using it elsewhere. Runs are generally down to technique or just overloading the surface. Try some on a locker front or smaller bulkhead. If it all goes t**s up then nitromors it off and use something different. Being as you have the Flag stuff and are happy with it on the floor then give it a go ��

 

[ifoxwell]

Thanks for the input. Unless some one comes up with a good reason not to I probably will.... I just cant help think that there is a reason its called floor varnish and not just varnish suitable for floors.... or is it all just in the marketing?

 

[Yngmar]

Thanks for the input. Unless some one comes up with a good reason not to I probably will.... I just cant help think that there is a reason its called floor varnish and not just varnish suitable for floors.... or is it all just in the marketing?

Floor varnish typically cures to a harder surface than normal varnish. You can varnish floors with standard varnish, but it won't last as long as a proper floor varnish. Also some (not all) varnish is very slippery when wet.

 

[robmcg]

Marketing! Described for floor as it indicates it is hard wearing as opposed to some softer varnishes that are used in non high traffic areas. Previous owner of our boat used Osmo oil on the teak capping rail. Marketed specifically for hardwood windows for the vertical bits, didn't stop it working in the horizontal ��

 

[ifoxwell]

fair point but why wouldn't you want all varnish to be hard, and hard wearing?

 

[Yngmar]

No, normally you want varnish to remain somewhat flexible, to avoid cracking when the wood flexes either due to thermal expansion or from load (i.e. grabrails, wooden spars, etc.).

 

[ifoxwell]

No, normally you want varnish to remain somewhat flexible, to avoid cracking when the wood flexes either due to thermal expansion or from load (i.e. grabrails, wooden spars, etc.).

Good point well made... so how would that thinking apply to internal joinery do your think?

 

[Humblebee]

Hi, glad to hear you are getting on well with the Flag Floor varnish. I've used the satin version on floors, doors, bannisters and more and always been pleased with the results. More than 4 coats and the finish is more a gloss than satin.
Anyway, I see it is still at a good price at Toolstation and with free delivery on orders over £10 it seems a bargain.
No connection with Flag or Toolstation, just satisfied with both.

 

[ifoxwell]

Thanks Humblebee, I'll let everyone know how we get on