Varnish

[muckypup]

Is it worth paying a premium for yacht exterior varnish from a swindlery, or will decent stuff from B&Q do just as well?

S.

 

[VicS]

I think you will find that even the "yacht varnish" from popular DIY outlets is for interior use only. I think that even applies to the variety of International yacht varnish that you will find there.

That deliberately avoids answering your question though.

 

[KenMcCulloch]

I used 'International Yacht Varnish' from B&Q on my back door at home and it was c**p.

 

[dockmaster]

Only one to use in my experience - Epifaines

 

[LittleShip]

Try Dulux Weathershield Varnish, it applies very much like Le Tonkinoise.

Geeze I need shares with this company!

Tom

 

[PuffTheMagicDragon]

Get a proper one: Le Tonkinois or, if you cannot find that, Epifanes. Nothing comes close.

 

[Avocet]

If you're on a budget, I've been very pleased with Ronseal Exterior varnish - lasts loads better than the International but have never tried the expensive stuff.

 

[muckypup]

Thanks all!

Steve

 

[planteater]

Another vote for Le Tonkinois. There isn't much wood on my small floating caravan, but what there is looks great and is easily maintained. For DIY application over small areas of wood Le Tonk is pretty much unbeatable.

 

[Csail]

Le Tonk..... good tip is to cover it with clingfilm then put lid on and store upside down.

 

[davidpbo]

[ QUOTE ]
I used 'International Yacht Varnish' from B&Q on my back door at home and it was c**p.

[/ QUOTE ]

Used on garage doors, I second the opinion as to its quality.

 

[muckypup]

That might be because it's International Yacht Varnish, not International Garage Door Varnish... /forums/images/graemlins/laugh.gif /forums/images/graemlins/laugh.gif

I will steer clear of this brand though!

S.

 

[Gordonmc]

The tip does work.
But beware... I opened a 2.5 litre tin of Le Tonk about a quarter full. Popped the lid and the tin was so top heavy it immediately fell over and spilled all over the cockpit.
Ho hum.

 

[PuffTheMagicDragon]

That is one of the reasons that I stock up on 0.5 litre cans; the price differential works out at less than the potential cost of wasted varnish. With 0.5 cans there is less chance of having much varnish that is unused.
Incidentally, you don't need to stand the can upside down. Putting it on the side such that the stopper is on the bottom works just as well.

 

[pyrojames]

Oddly, I have never thought much of Epiphanes. I used it in the med 10 years ago abd it barely lasted 6 months. I always used an alkyd based varnish in Oz and it was much better. International Original was what I have been using for the last 8 years with no problems. Just switched to Jotun Spontan alkyd/urethane base because it is dedicated marine from Jotun, and it is cheap. Although you have to buy it in 5 litre cans, but that is OK for me. I have just started on the second can!

I'll report on it on a years time. Although if I say nothing it is probably because it's fine and I haven't paid it any attention.

 

[Pye_End]

Funny, I agree. Didn't like to say anything! Used Epiphanes for several years as it was supposed to be the bees' knees, but changed to Sikkens UV which I found more durable. However since it it a little tricky to get now, trying the International Goldspar. Looks fine after 3 days, although tempted to put something on top to give it a prettier gloss finish.

 

[varnishman]

Look at the back of the B&Q International yacht varnish tin - "Not suitable for marine use". How can you call it Yacht varnish!
If you want your varnish to last www.letonkinoisvarnish.co.uk
They even have a photo of the International can linked from their FAQ page.