varnish repair

[gary3029]

This is my first year of ownership of this 24ft carvel construction varnished hull. Survey report said varnish on hull was in sound condition overall with one or two areas needing minor work. I have included 2 pictures (hopefully) of some of the work to be done. The boat has had many coats of varnish and one pictures shows damage to varnish down to wood, surrounding varnish sound. Other one is where someone has put a temp coat of varnish on a damaged area and it has run. How can I repair these areas without doing a major stripdown of the varnish? The varnished hull is perhaps 99% sound so just want to do repairs then give two coats again.

 

[joliette]

I've managed to repair similar problems and get a reasonable result. Take a good sharp blade and scrape the damaged area back down to bare wood. Feather in the rough edges with wet and dry abrasive. I like to use this wet but then you have to wait for the wood to dry before applying the first coat of varnish. Build up enough layers of varnish around the damaged area and let it cure well before keying the entire surface and applying new top coats. Take care to match the existing varnish system. Don't apply an epoxy two-pack over an oil based varnish and make sure you select one with good UV properties. A high price doesn't always give you a quality product ... I've paid out for Epifanes only to find that Yacht Varnish from Woolworths seems to last just as well (if not better) at a quarter of the price!