Varnish or clear Lacquer

[jimfinoc]

I have 2 wooden signs on the side of our boat with the name carved into the wood.
I have varnished it in the past, but needs redoing after about 2 years.
Would a clear spray lacquer as used on alloy wheels work.
Thanks for any advice.

 

[Stemar]

I don't know enough about your spray lacquer to know how well it would adhere to wood, or cope with the expansion and contraction with changes in humidity, but I ha' me doots.

My first choice would be le Tonkinois. It gives a tough, though not indestructible, finish that doesn't crack and let water under it when it gets tired. It has to be applied to bare wood, but doesn't need to be stripped off when it needs redoing like varnish, just a quick rub down and a couple more coats.

 

[Sandy]

@Concerto is the lacquer expert.

Personally, I'd be sanding down your signs and applying five coats of Le Tonk No 1, but I use it for everything. Why mess about with eight different wood varnishes when one will do?

 

[jimfinoc]

Thanks for the replies. The spray lacquer is the same as used on BMW Motorcycle wheels and is sprayed in over silver paint.
The sign will be sanded down and the engraved lettering on the wood will be painted.

 

[Stemar]

All I can say is try it but first, I'd try putting a bit of the paint you're using on some similar wood and spraying it to make sure they play nicely.

Is there a manufacturer's website for the lacquer where you can ask how it will adhere to wood?

 

[KevinV]

My experience of rattle can car lacquer is very mixed regarding how it ages outdoors.
I did try it on interior wood once, it took a lot of building up - about 15 coats to get it half decent.
I've had some recent success using epifanes with an airbrush - very quick and easy, and applied wet on only just still sticky for the first 7-8 coats.

 

[Minerva]

I think you need to accept exterior woodwork on boats needs a bit of tlc each year. Always has done and I suspect always will do.