LeTonkinoise varnish

[davidmh]

I have been using the original Le Tonk for years and find it very good. Never found a reason to go to the No 1 version. What advantages/disadvantges have user of both types found?
The website currently says that the formula has had to be adjusted to meet the latest H+S rules, and you shoukd now "sand"the varnish with a fine paper between each coat. If I am recoating a surface with Le Tonk already on it I have aways used a fine paper after a good wash, however when doing multiple coats, usually 10 to 24hrs apart i have not done any sanding between those coats, It has always worked for me. What do forum users do about sanding? Really good Product and good to see Brian Murkin is still going.
David MH

 

[Sandy]

I've always give Le Tonk just a light sand between coats.

 

[westernman]

I've always give Le Tonk just a light sand between coats.

I just slap it on if not too long after the previous coat.

 

[davidmh]

Sandy thanks for your comments, I know you are a Le Tonk fan. Do you still use the original varnish or have you changed to the later No1 type

 

[westernman]

Sandy thanks for your comments, I know you are a Le Tonk fan. Do you still use the original varnish or have you changed to the later No1 type

Original.

 

[Fr J Hackett]

Not used it on a boat but this year I used it for the first time on some furniture that will remain outside. 24 hours between coats and a very light rub over with 240 Abronet. 6 coats and it's a deep glass like finish. I was surprised that it took a full day to harden so that it could be sanded.

 

[westernman]

Not used it on a boat but this year I used it for the first time on some furniture that will remain outside. 24 hours between coats and a very light rub over with 240 Abronet. 6 coats and it's a deep glass like finish. I was surprised that it took a full day to harden so that it could be sanded.

If you want the highest possible gloss, there are better products to use.

But if you want a reasonably good finish for the least possible effort, Le Tonk wins hands down.

 

[GHA]

But if you want a reasonably good finish for the least possible effort, Le Tonk wins hands down.

Hope not!

Must have tried most of them over the years, can't remember if it was Le Tonk but one of them containing linseed oil just went black in the (tropical) sun. Giving pure tung oil a go now, will see in a year or 2.. Certainly simple to apply with a little bit of cloth so will be on the weekly list to do a few feet of toerail so the whole lot will get coated every few months, cruising boat so nothing is fit & forget. Looks nice so far

 

[westernman]

Hope not!

Must have tried most of them over the years, can't remember if it was Le Tonk but one of them containing linseed oil just went black in the (tropical) sun. Giving pure tung oil a go now, will see in a year or 2.. Certainly simple to apply with a little bit of cloth so will be on the weekly list to do a few feet of toerail so the whole lot will get coated every few months, cruising boat so nothing is fit & forget. Looks nice so far

Le Tonk has never gone black on my boat and that most of that is out in the Med sun the whole time. It needs another coat from time to time. It seems to evaporate and get thinner over time from sun, rain, spray, hail, ropes flailing etc.

The two pack Coelan (absolutely UV resistant according the advertising promises lies) on my mast went a hideous yellow in the sun and flaked of in chunks.

 

[GHA]

Le Tonk has never gone black on my boat and that most of that is out in the Med sun the whole time. It needs another coat from time to time. It seems to evaporate and get thinner over time from sun, rain, spray, hail, ropes flailing etc.

The two pack Coelan (absolutely UV resistant according the advertising promises lies) on my mast went a hideous yellow in the sun and flaked of in chunks.

Tung oil on now so will see. Tin of pure tung oil should last for decades it takes such a tiny amount to spend a moment putting another coat on so fingers crossed.. Looks nice.
Woodskin failed this time, I'm sure it was better when it was cetol.

PS. Just did an AI search of social media about pure tung oil against Le Tonk on sailing boats & Le Tonk easily came out on top. My conformation bias did not like that one bit but yours will

 

[Sandy]

Tung oil on now so will see. Tin of pure tung oil should last for decades it takes such a tiny amount to spend a moment putting another coat on so fingers crossed.. Looks nice.
Woodskin failed this time, I'm sure it was better when it was cetol.

PS. Just did an AI search of social media about pure tung oil against Le Tonk on sailing boats & Le Tonk easily came out on top. My conformation bias did not like that one bit but yours will

Good luck with the Tung oil. On a boat I sail on it lasts about a week, but we do put fenders over the capping rail.

Woodskin has a habit of evaporating into thin air when anywhere near salt water.

Never heard of Le Tonk going black in sun unlike some varnishes that go black when water gets under it.

 

[Sandy]

Sandy thanks for your comments, I know you are a Le Tonk fan. Do you still use the original varnish or have you changed to the later No1 type

I use the No 1.

 

[GHA]

Good luck with the Tung oil. On a boat I sail on it lasts about a week, but we do put fenders over the capping rail.

Test area seemed to last OK with only a few coats, takes like a month to dry completely & double figure coats to do full on properly apparently but so easy & quick to put on that's not an issue. Never met anyone actually else use pure tung oil, not easy to find in the shops. Usually it's a mix.
I never use fenders.

 

[Sandy]

Test area seemed to last OK with only a few coats, takes like a month to dry completely & double figure coats to do full on properly apparently but so easy & quick to put on that's not an issue. Never met anyone actually else use pure tung oil, not easy to find in the shops. Usually it's a mix.
I never use fenders.

At 105 tonne we find fenders are essential.

 

[GHA]

At 105 tonne we find fenders are essential.

Only if you ever go near a pontoon or the like

 

[IanCC]

I've always give Le Tonk just a light sand between coats.

Great to put on etc. But how do you manage to keep the unused stuff in usable condition please ? Nearly giving up with it.

 

[justanothersailboat]

Don't Le Tonk say you need to transfer leftovers into a smaller container so it's not shut in with a lot of air? this seems like a frustrating requirement to me. When I used it I bought a small can and used the leftovers up making the door to the garden shed really shiny.

 

[westernman]

Great to put on etc. But how do you manage to keep the unused stuff in usable condition please ? Nearly giving up with it.

It kept long enough for me in the original tin. I.e. from one season to the next.
Make sure it is well sealed. Turn the can upside down to coat the join between the can and lid.

 

[davidmh]

To keep it in good condition turn the can upside down when you store it.

Davis MH

 

[IanCC]

It kept long enough for me in the original tin. I.e. from one season to the next.
Make sure it is well sealed. Turn the can upside down to coat the join between the can and lid.

Was absolutely meticulous with it last time but skinned over just the same.

When turned upside down it just skins over on the underside then when turned back up right slowly penetrates through that skin leaving a right mess.