Painting iroko

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FinesseChris

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Hi

Great weather for scraping off the old varnish on topsides (clinker, iroko, vintage 1980) and preparing for paint.

Conflicting advice: do I need to wipe down the bare wood with some kind of solvent after sanding and before priming? "Oily wood, Iroko" say the proponents of yet another stage in the job; "don't bother, it's 30 years old just prime it" say those I would prefer to listen to.

But I am only going to do this once (I hope), so I would like to get it right.

Any advice?

Thanks

Chris
 
I would ask 'how well is the existing varnish holding on to the iroko?' If it is holding well, just sand it smooth and paint over it. Use the varnish as your primer. Then if some future custodian wants to go back to varnish the pores of the wood won't be full of impossible-to-remove paint. Conversely, if the varnish is coming off very easily, then a wipe-down with solvent is indicated.
Peter.
 
I have just bitten the bullet and finally given up with the varnish on the topside on my finesse iroko built boat. I was losing the battle with the varnish and decided a good paint job was better than a struggle with yearly tatty varnish. Like peterduck says I decided to leave the varnish in place as most of it was sound in case I change my mind later. I used international outdoor paint and put on the recommended undergoat first. It looked terrible and I was having great regrets as well as a lot of friendly abuse from the guys in the yard. Once undercoat on I then put 5 coats of international outdoor white gloss on and I now have not regrets. I have since used a white polish on it and water just runs of. It don't look as cool as a pristine varnished boat, but I can't put my boat under cover every year to try and get a good varnish job. I also know that around windows and joints there is a better seal to water with the paint than the varnish and I would prefer a dry boat rather than a pretty boat anyday. There will be those that think painting a varnished boat is a major issue and I am surprised they haven't been on yet. When I said what I was going to do I thought some people where going tp pay me a visit it got that heated!!! Anyway good luck hope this has helped
 
At the risk of getting flamed, I agree, go mad with the varnish inside the boat but I just pick out some of the details on the exterior with varnish. You need to be realistic with how much time you can spend and at the end of the day the most important thing is to protect the boat.
 
Thanks everyone for your thoughts.

The reason for getting rid of the varnish is primarily concern about future upkeep. The current varnish coat has lasted very well: seven years since I bought the boat, the previous owner had applied a 2-part varnish and it has done him proud. Wear on the planks amidships -- fenders and docksides -- and in other odd spots had got to the point where comprehensive treatment is needed. And in places on the 'sunny side' yellowing has taken place.

I am also advised that pale paint will lead to a cooler boat, and that paint will be better for the timber.

I am finding the varnish fairly easy to shift (hot air gun and frequent change of scraper), and while I started off with a plan to only go for the loose bits, I am finding enough bare patches to make that impracticable, So it's all coming off, then turps (as advised) then primer.

I reckon she will look good white -- but I will miss that lovely reflection of varnished clinker in the water. I am varnishing the top plank, and the cabin sides, cockpit etc, so there will be enough wood to keep me busy.

And there are plenty of other varnished boats around -- I pass two or three in Emsworth Channel every time I go out. So I will look at them....


Chris

PS As to why I'm not beavering away on such a perfect day; well events, dear boy, events.....
 
Your problems are two fold:
1. I don't know the construction method but generally you shouldn't use two pack on solid wood. Single pack would have been easier to remove and make good.
2.I respectfully suggest that you may suffer from excessive expectations. Seven years without recoating? Three would be realistic.

Now you're painting it, you won't be able to see the rot your lack of maintenance will cause. There are no short cuts, although some prefer GRP.
OF
 
OldFrank
I am sorry I did not make myself clear.
The previous owner applied 2-pack varnish seven years ago.
The construction method, clinker iroko, was mentioned in my first post.
Nowhere did I suggest that my expectations were other than for a yearly top-up on what I hope to be a competent and thorough basic job.
I find it very helpful to read and consider the views of others on this forum; I learn a lot. I try to read and take in in what others say before I respond.

Chris
 
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