Is there an alternative to varnished wood?

[banger]

Always used Coelan, can be difficult to apply and needs a bare surface, but one done it lasts for years, Classic Boat did a long term test on various varnishes and stains, be worthwhile to try to get a copy, the test site was Robinson Boatyard, Woodbridge.

 

[Woodlouse]

Always used Coelan, can be difficult to apply and needs a bare surface, but one done it lasts for years, Classic Boat did a long term test on various varnishes and stains, be worthwhile to try to get a copy, the test site was Robinson Boatyard, Woodbridge.

The problem with Coelan is once it starts to go it's very difficult to fix and good results pretty much need starting again from scratch. It's been a few years since I've heard anyone rave about it.

 

[chal]

Also with Coelan, it needs very careful application to achieve good results: the product literature talks about measuring the moisture content of the wood and only applying within a certain range, etc. I voted for Woodskin a few posts ago on the basis of its ease of use, and it is much more forgiving that Coelan. A few years ago I'd just done a fairly large area when a surprise shower arrived. I looked on miserably as the water settled on the still-wet Woodskin, but next day all had dried and everything was fine. Probably not the best finish I ever achieved but it still lasted till the next summer.

 

[chinita]

I don't understand some of these arguments.

If you want low maintenance - don't use anything!

If you want 'varnish' use the proper stuff and make the effort.

I just do not see the attraction of a 'nice silk/satin' finish offered by these varnish substitutes.

IMO varnish is not varnish unless you can see your face in it.

 

[Capt Popeye]

I don't understand some of these arguments.

If you want low maintenance - don't use anything!

If you want 'varnish' use the proper stuff and make the effort.

I just do not see the attraction of a 'nice silk/satin' finish offered by these varnish substitutes.

IMO varnish is not varnish unless you can see your face in it.

Humm, all well and good one might say, but suggest its much much better to see your face in someone else varnish than ones own, inspiring without all the grief

 

[nauticalnomad]

What about wests epoxy to seal it and then paint over it brown or whatever colour suits...

 

[chal]

I just do not see the attraction of a 'nice silk/satin' finish offered by these varnish substitutes.

The attraction is obviously subjective, but if the choices are:

• do nothing and the teak (of which there is a lot on my boat) will go silvery but with odd stains here and there, not a look that appeals to me a great deal
• use traditional varnish and spend most of my time maintaining it
• use Woodskin and have teak that has the lovely colour of the wood and doesn't pick up the stains but isn't high gloss

then for me the last option is the one that works best, a good compromise between look and time/effort. I can see why you might opt for one of the other choices (or other things: I know someone who simply painted it all) but I wouldn't say there was no attraction to the varnish alternatives.