Varnashing How many coats?

[Boat44]

I'm sure this has been coveed before so my apologies for asking agian.

I'm just re-varnishing the galley/saloon drawer fronts and was wondering what the collective wisdom is as to how many coats to apply.

I have done one at 50%, one at 75% and just done one at 100%. Do you think another would be required or would that be good enough?

(I have to get them off the kitcjen table before everybody arrives for x-mas or the missus will not be happy!)

Many thanks in anticipation.

Cheers
Adrian

 

[LittleShip]

There is no easy answer to this question.....

However, you have only put one full coat on and if it is only below decks, personally I would say you need at least one more full coat or enough until you cannot feel the grain.

If any of the work is to be outside then cancel Christmas dinner and have a varnishing party I'm sure you guests will enjoy it! OK OK! outside work at least 6 coats.

Tom.
/forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif

 

[Boat44]

Tom,

Thanks.

One more wont hurt and will keep my quiet tonight! (Its all inside in the house. I did all the floor boards last year and the missus was a little put out by the end. Took ages and kept the kitchen table and work tops coverd for months!)

Cheers
Adrian

 

[pyrojames]

I used to work on 5 internally and 7 external, with 2 coats a year for external. I found the internal really needed redoing every 5 years on that basis.

 

[burgundyben]

Sounds about right to me.

2 more every year external at least.

 

[ccscott49]

Ten outside, four/five inside.

 

[Wunja]

LittleShip - outside work at least 6 coats - Yeehaaar! , I'm there....

PyroJames - 7 external - OK, I can do another one

Englander - Ten outside - Dammit!

Does it make any difference what you are varnishing with? I'm using Epifanes

 

[Bosunof]

I've tried several and found epifanes to be excellent. Also easy to patch during the season. Isnt that important?
Cheers

 

[pyrojames]

I had little success with Epifanes in the Med, and switched to more frequent coats of International Original, on the basis that it is the nicks and cuts that are the death of varnish, not the longevity of the varnish that counts. I now use Jotun, and buy it in 5 litre tins at a fraction the price of swindlery brands. It is a "soft" trad varnish, easy to patch and maintain, but not highly resistant to abrasion.

 

[Seanick]

....just remember, one person will lay a coat of varnish on to a different thickness than another. It depends on the varnish, the temp, how much you thin/modify it, the brush, and most of all, the skill of the applicator.

One person may varnish one side of a boat say, and use half the amount of varnish than another person varnishing the same side.

Therefore its hard to draw solid conclusions from minimal number of coats.

Incidentally, this year we have conducted extensive testing of four varnishes in a real application.

Currently in the lead.........International Original.

Excellent gloss retention, minimal surface crazing and above all, UV protection of the timber colour.

TRhe cometition....International Goldspar, Ephiphanes and Jotun Ravilakk.

However they all have their place in certain conditions/situations

However, min coats 5, or 8 to 10 if you apply it thinly!!

 

[ccscott49]

When varnishing in the meddy (when its hot), I use epifanes and thin it with owatrol, works well for me. No more than 20% owatrol. I find thinners just doesnt do it.