Varnish recommendations?

[davidpbo]

Sorry to post this as I know there are numerous threads on the subject.

The few bits of exterior wood on our boat need a coat of varnish. Existing is International Original which I think is a polyurethane. I could do with a harder wearing varnish particularly for the transom locker lid which is walked on. I don't want to have to strip back to bare wood. My wife is probably going to have to do the varnishing and is allergic to epoxy, if that has any bearing on recommendations.

Any recommendations please?

 

[PaulRainbow]

Sikkens.

 

[vyv_cox]

Have a look at International Perfection Plus https://www.boatpaint.co.uk/acatalog/International-Perfection-Plus-Varnish-.html Two-pack, it seems it can be applied over some(?) conventional polyurethane varnishes and claims greatly increased durability. A phone call might be worthwhile.

 

[PlankWalker]

I always thought International Original was an alkyd varnish, I may be wrong.

 

[Motor_Sailor]

I always thought International Original was an alkyd varnish, I may be wrong.

I'm sure you're right. Compass is the single pack polyurethane and is much harder wearing.

 

[tillergirl]

The first question before any recommendation is "what species"?

 

[VicS]

Sorry to post this as I know there are numerous threads on the subject.

The few bits of exterior wood on our boat need a coat of varnish. Existing is International Original which I think is a polyurethane. I could do with a harder wearing varnish particularly for the transom locker lid which is walked on. I don't want to have to strip back to bare wood. My wife is probably going to have to do the varnishing and is allergic to epoxy, if that has any bearing on recommendations.

Any recommendations please?

International "original" is, as as others point out, a conventional single pack varnish and unsuitable for over coating with a two pack finish such a Perfection plus. " . Do not apply over any conventional, one pack products. " the data sheet says.

The only options, if you do not want to strip back to bare wood, seem to be to continue with a conventional varnish or to use a single pack polyurethane varnish such as International Compass.

I have stripped the solid exterior woodwork and have been using Cetol Marine for a number of years ( International Woodskin replaces that now).

For plywood wash-boards and locker tops I have used International's single pack polyurethane, now "Compass", but I take them off and refurb/ re-varnish at home every winter . Refitting them is the last job before launching.

This seems to be the best compromise between a low maintenance coating such as Cetol or Woodskin and a hard wearing coating to protect the plywood

 

[PaulRainbow]

<snip>
I have stripped the solid exterior woodwork and have been using Cetol Marine for a number of years ( International Woodskin replaces that now).

Is there a difference between Cetol Marine and "normal" Cetol ? How about Filter 7 ?

 

[michael_w]

Epifanes. It's the only varnish that can withstand tropical sun.

 

[PuffTheMagicDragon]

Epifanes. It's the only varnish that can withstand tropical sun.

Certainly true for the Mediterranean. The Rapidclear variety is especially easy to maintain.

This year I intend to do an experiment using the cheap Lidl hard wax varnish that is intended for floors. I have tried it on a 'teak' folding chair that lives outside on the terrace near the barbecue and the performance (so far) looks promising.

 

[VicS]

Is there a difference between Cetol Marine and "normal" Cetol ? How about Filter 7 ?

Dont know.

I tried Cetol Marine a few years ago after reading favourable noises on the forums. It is certainly better than of the various things I had tried previously. Nice because unlike many domestic wood finishes it does not obscure the natural look of the wood, only needs a light sanding and a fresh coat each year and is never going to have the appearance of old, flaking badly maintained varnish

The 750 ml tin will see me out easily so unlikely to be trying anything else .

 

[PaulRainbow]

Dont know.

I tried Cetol Marine a few years ago after reading favourable noises on the forums. It is certainly better than of the various things I had tried previously. Nice because unlike many domestic wood finishes it does not obscure the natural look of the wood, only needs a light sanding and a fresh coat each year and is never going to have the appearance of old, flaking badly maintained varnish

The 750 ml tin will see me out easily so unlikely to be trying anything else .

I did some hardwood house windows with it several years, Cetol followed by Filter 7, and they lasted really well. Tried Filter 7 on my previous boat, which also lasted well, but was a bit shinier than i ideally wanted. Recently bought some Cetol and i see it now has UV protection, which i'm sure it didn't have originally, that was the point of the Filter 7.

 

[Concerto]

I have tried many marine varnishes and never been that satisfied. Just started using Le Tonkinois Vernis No1. This is a traditional oil varnish that can be applied to any previous coating except wax. They normally exhibit at a lot of boat shows and similar venues, that is how I found them. Currently I have applied the first 3 coats to a wooden bench at home, but in a few weeks I will start onboard.
http://www.letonkinoisvarnish.uk/varMain.html

 

[Sandyman]

Have a look at International Perfection Plus https://www.boatpaint.co.uk/acatalog/International-Perfection-Plus-Varnish-.html Two-pack, it seems it can be applied over some(?) conventional polyurethane varnishes and claims greatly increased durability. A phone call might be worthwhile.

Lasted less than a year in tropical sun. Expensive waste of time.

 

[tidclacy]

This may help

http://arthurbeale.co.uk/sites/defa...nting Catalogue clickable for web_reduced.pdf

 

[KINGFISHER 9]

Oh dear! When you've figured out which varnish to use ask them about anchors! ...

 

[davidpbo]

Thank you for the information folks I will look to Compass for the future. We went with what we could get readily which was the Original.

 

[ex-Gladys]

Thank you for the information folks I will look to Compass for the future. We went with what we could get readily which was the Original.

Compass is the replacement for Goldspar gloss, which was lovely to use and apply even to vertical surfaces, Compass isn't. It runs and sags like nothing on earth, but it does last pretty well in UK waters

 

[vyv_cox]

Lasted less than a year in tropical sun. Expensive waste of time.

The OP is in Cumbria. Otherwise I have found Woodskin to last fairly well in Greece but that is not what was asked.

 

[prv]

Epifanes. It's the only varnish that can withstand tropical sun.

I'm a fan of Epifanes and used many litres of it on our previous boat's eight large spars (two gaff masts, bowsprit, bumpkin) and sundry other woodwork. But I've never thought of it as particularly hard, and might hesitate to use it on a walking surface.

Pete