Varnish for cabin sole

[Behome]

My varnished wood cabin sole and companion steps are looking a bit tired. Any suggestions for the best varnish to spruce them up? I don't think they need stripping back, just tidying up.

 

[FullCircle]

My varnished wood cabin sole and companion steps are looking a bit tired. Any suggestions for the best varnish to spruce them up? I don't think they need stripping back, just tidying up.

I am comfortably seated with beer and crisps. Let my education begin.

 

[kacecar]

I hope you haven't run out of beer and crisps yet as I wouldn't call my input educative - it's just my experience / point of view.

I've used Ronseal "Diamond Hard" varnish (is it "varnish"? - not sure). I have no idea if it's better or worse than any other but it has worked for me - the "silk" finish lasts 3 years on my companionway steps. The gloss finish (less attractive in my view) appears to be really hard wearing, seven years so far on a step/seat/engine cover near the foot of the companionway - might be slippery on a smooth floor though. The time between application and use appears to make a big difference on the hardness of the finish. If I was really worried about it I think I'd varnish at the end of one season and then not use those surfaces until the start of the next.

 

[Phoenix of Hamble]

I've tried a patch with the Ronseal Diamond hard. There is no denying that it is hardwearing, but I think it fails to bring the colour out in the wood.

I am finding that the best results for looks are by using Liberon finishing oil, and its really easy to apply, reasonably hard wearing, and easy to freshen up whenever needed.

However, in order to use this, you WILL need to prepare the sole by stripping back.

So, if you are after robustness, then a flash over with Ronseal.... if you want it to look great, then finishing oil.

 

[sailorman]

i used the ronseal diamond last time over coating the previous varnish.
this was 3 yrs ago, the finish is hard wearing & dries quickly. the finish is not as good as varnish there are some brush marks but that said quite acceptable.
the colour is as varnish

 

[AliM]

I used Ronseal diamond on the old boat. I stripped the floor boards first, mainly because the year before, I had used a water based varnish which went milky and slightly slimy when wet - so avoid anything water-based. About 4 or 5 coats of the Ronseal looked good even after a couple of years of hard use, and did not get slippy even when wet. I must admit that I brought the boards home to varnish, and did them in the spare room, because it was too cold in the garage, and far too awkward to do them on the boat.

 

[Behome]

Thanks very much. I'll get to it with the Ronseal as soon as things warm up...............Looks like we're due another week of chills.

 

[ex-Gladys]

I've used international Compass since my new floor boards were made. I do a single coat once a year once she's back afloat and the weather is warmer.

 

[Vara]

I used a water based satin varnish from Wilkinsons, not quite as non slip as I would like but OKish, no sign of milkiness.
Word of warning once committed to water base that's it, as its a bugger to strip and leave a bare wood for oil based paint.
Looks nice though.