Temporary coating for varnished wood over winter

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LadyViolet

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I have just relocated my boat to its winter mooring on the Thames at Greenwich. I don't plan to haul it out until February or March next year, which is when I plan to do my varnishing.

However, the varnish on the grab-rails doesn't look as if it is going to last until then and I don't want the wood exposed to the elements over the winter.

Can anyone suggest a temporary coating that I can slap on to protect the grab-rails from the elements? It needs to keep out the wet, and be easy to remove and not stain any exposed patches of the wood.

I thought about plain old grease but I reckon that would mark the wood and make it very difficult to revarnish?

Any thoughts?

<hr width=100% size=1>Nick Seaward
 
Yes, but I have to to do it over one of the next few weekends and knowing my luck, it's bound to be raining.

I have read so many posts about the need to apply varnish when surfaces are absolutely dry etc etc, that I figured that it would just slough off again.

<hr width=100% size=1>Nick Seaward
 
If you intend to re-varnish next year and you can’t do the varnish this year, leave it until then, you should suffer no adverse effects to the wood over this period. Do not under any circumstances put grease on the wood to provide protection.
Alternatively wrap some poly bag around what you want to protect and tape it on. Personally I’m in the same situation as you and I will be leaving it until the better weather next year??
Tom
PS I'm thinking of using Burgess topgloss for ease, if any body has info, for and/or against I would appreciate it??

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I wish I'd been born rich instead of good looking ?
 
Have a look at Cap Wrap. Its a plastic self adhesive film which is UV resistant and claims to be removable with no adhesive residue.
They are sending me a trial roll at no cost which I will be trying out... you could do the same.
www.capwrap.com



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I agree with Scarborough that you should sand smooth the worst of old flaking varnish and worn patches and get varnish on NOW, while the weather is warm enough to cure it. The wood must be quite dry, so shelter from rain for a week beforehand, and rub in thinner. A couple of hours of dry weather will be long enough to get a holding coat on. I'd recommend two holding coats, slapped on but avoid runs as they will be a nuisance to remove later.

If you leave it and damp gets in the wood, by spring it will be discoloured or even rotten and need heavy sanding back to a fair colour.



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Not grease cos that will reject the varnish - but boiled linseed oil can be rubbed in on any bare patches. Use a coulple of coats and this should prevent deterioration until the spring. Then give it a wipe with rag damped with white spirit ( which you would do anyway) and away you go.
Second best is just bunging the varnish on provided its not actually raining; shiuld protect enough until you rub down.
Prcautions necessary using linseed oil - the rags can get hot as it oxidises so put them in a tin or spread out the rag so heat is dissipated.
regards...spuddy

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I have used Burgess woodsealer for years and have been very pleased with it. You can apply it when the wood is wet if necessary. It was invented by the bloke who invented Hammorite for use on his yacht. One advantage is that you can recoat it as soon as the last coat has soaked in which means you can easily put 5 or 6 coats on in one hour. The woodsealer does have a stain in it which some people object to. I think the topgloss is the same stuf but without any colour in it. It is easy to recoat. Just give a quick clean-up, perhaps with water and a stiff brush, then a very quick sand and then as many coats as you want can be applied. I would not use anything else for external wood/plywood. Paul

<hr width=100% size=1>" there is nothing-absolutely nothing-half so much worth doing as simply messing about in boats".
 
Thanks for all the advice everyone. Looks like the Burgess products might be the way to go, especially as it might be wet for the next few weeks. I will let you know the result next March!

<hr width=100% size=1>Nick Seaward
 
I have used Burgess woodsealer on exposed wood for some years. It really does do what it says on the bottle. I did use more than one coat and it does apply well onto damp wood.
I did mast and boom with 5 coats and then topgloss and it still looks good after 6 years. I was impressed. The topgloss is to go over the woodsealer if you want a glossy finish - don't use on its own.
Ken

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Paul & Ken
Thanks for the info and feedback ?? Looks like it will be Topgloss over their wood seal. Ive used it on all the woodwork inside but was reluctant to try it outside??
Tom

<hr width=100% size=1>
I wish I'd been born rich instead of good looking ?
 
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