Varnish Removal

[m1taylor]

probably been asked many times before, so apologies in advance. What's the best method of stripping old varnish - heatgun or nitromors?

 

[JesseLoynes]

Depends on the area you've got to do, but a triangular scraper with a very sharp edge, use a file or oilstone, works well even without a heat gun. Just pares away the varnish. Excellent on things like rubbing strakes etc.

 

[ccscott49]

Heatgun, very sharp scraper, the tungsten ones from sandvik are very good. But as mentioned, triangular ones very shrp, not the thin steel ones a proper job one. I wouldnt let nitromors near my varnish, or boat for that matter, even the varnish type remover. Just be careful you do not burn the wood with the heat gun.

 

[Lakesailor]

I used a hotair gun on my Heron. The insides are the worst. I used it on half power and kept it moving. If you use a triangular scraper, just radius the points very slightly and avoid gouging, especially on areas with a bit of curvature. Enclosed spaces are the very worst as the heat blows back onto your fingers.

 

[nyx2k]

what a beutiful job you've done on the dinghy. i would have ran out of patience i think0. but with perseverance a great result can be had

nick

 

[Phoenix of Hamble]

Yep, it really does look fabulous doesn't it.....

 

[ccscott49]

What a bloody lovely job youve made of that! Well done, that man! Fancy doing a bigger dinghy, say 57'?

 

[tcm]

Hah! That doesn't fool me. I happen to know for a fact that lakesailor bought a brand new boat as in pic three, and let it go to rack and ruin as in pic 1. These days his half-finished project as in pic two is still parked in the garage...

 

[kds]

"and let it go to rack and ruin as in pic 1. "

How perceptive of you. I thought (foolishly) that it was just another example of his clever computer enhancement of photographs !
Ken

 

[Lakesailor]

Well I knew it happened one way or another. Perhaps I got the pics in the wrong order.

(57' is a bit too big, with my wealth of experience, 57" would now present a challenge. I bought it sight unseen on eBay and had the chance to walk away when I saw it, but like a fool........)