Mast Finishes

[folkboatman]

Hi
I am looking for some advice on mast finishes. My mast is a solid sitka spruce mast made beautifully by Collars for my Folkboat. To date the mast has been varnished with epifanes but for a number of reasons I am unlikely to take my mast down as regularly as has been the case until now. The mast has become a little shabby over time and I am considering using Novatec/top combination as this is featured in a number of posts and has come out very well in CB tests over time. The mast is to be stripped to bare wood and I am hoping to get three years plus without having to take the mast down. I would be interested in hearing thoughts on clear, natural coloured finishes and also what happen if white opaque stain is used when it is stained again as maintenance

 

[Tranona]

Definitely go for Novatech/Top if durability is your priority. I changed to this about 8 years ago on my 10m Douglas Fir mast after trying conventional varnishes and disastrous Deks Olje. Its great advantage is being an eroding microporous film it stays intact so water does not get behind it. My mast was up for 6 years facing the SW prevailing wind and the film was completely intact - but the finish was dull. Rub down and one coat of Top and it was fine. Downside is that even using a light pine tint the finish is "muddy" compared with a "bright" finish, but for me that is a small cost compared with the work involved in keeping a bright finish good.

Hope this helps

 

[ccscott49]

I used coalans on mine, nine years ago, still as good as new, although a loss of gloss, just needs a quick sand and another coat, but havent had the time. This is in the meddy as well.
Yes its expensive, but lasts great!

 

[xtiffer]

If you want a full gloss look then use 4 coats of
Wood Impreg 120 ( a clear epoxy primer)
followed by 5 coats (or more) of a good 2 pack
polyurethane varnish such as Seatop PU360UVR.
Lasts for years without recoating.
Cheers,
Chris