Varnish!

[Wooden Boat Fittings]

If we wanted zero work we wouldn't have wooden boats.

If we wanted zero work we wouldn't have a boat of any sort....

Out here, my recommendation is for (one-part) Norglass Weatherfast Marine Varnish, the first coat applied half-cut with turps. It's what we use on all our products. Give a raw finish up to seven coats. Then rinse it off with fresh water and apply another coat annually, and it last for years. And years.

Mike

 

[tolhurstorganic]

Coelan every time.
Well worth the cost.

Yes Coelan lasts for many years I have topsides deck and cabin sides in Coelan for 6 years still look perfect. Downside is cost which is horrendous but if it lasts 10 years and it will do so easily if correctly applied it is not so expensive, and I get more sailing time in.
Other problem is the colour is not so good on some timbers looks a bit plastic and too shiny when new but that tones down after a few seasons. I would not be so keen to apply to an old traditional boat as I think it looks too newish, but can look great on new classics
The other problem is having to explain to people who suck through their teeth with "oooh all that varnish rather you than me..." that I don't spend weeks keeping it looking like new.

 

[westernman]

I'm with oldvarnish on this - Woodskin is pretty easy and looks good if not super shiny - a fair compromise between varnish and oil. It rubs off relatively easily but is easy to touch up. Boat was afloat throughout winter and took a fair battering from the storms, but the varnish still looks good.

How does Wookskin compare to Le Tokinois?

 

[philiphurst]

This year I intend to try Epifanes Rapid Clear for the outside Iroko woodwork. Does anyone here have an opinion about it?

I know I'm bound to be told I'm wrong, but here we go.

I have tried all kinds of varnish on Cirrus and have come to the conclusion that they are all rubbish. Not a scientific judgement. Not by a long way. Two years ago I used Epifanes Rapid Clear on the mast. Eight coats followed by two coats of Epifanes Gloss Varnish. It's lasting very well.

Last year I used Rapid Clear on all the varnished wood. It's teak and a real pain. Rapid Clear worked very well with ten coats applied followed by two coats of Epifanes Gloss varnish. I've adopted a similar approach this year the only difference being that I have used Flag varnish on top of the Rapid Clear.

For me, the difference is that this is the first year that I have not stripped all of the teak back to bare wood. That tells me something.

It has worked for me but that doesn't mean it's right for everybody.

 

[chal]

How does Wookskin compare to Le Tokinois?

I can't honestly say, I tried several things and settled on the Woodskin without getting round to Le Tonkinois. I know lots of people swear by it, though I think it's pretty expensive.

 

[Pye_End]

How does Wookskin compare to Le Tokinois?

Woodskin is very easy to apply and repair, but does not have the look of a traditional varnish - the colour is different and does not give the same level of gloss. Le Tonk is much more of a varnish and gives a beautifully smooth finish (though takes a long time to dry). Not sure on longevity of Le Tonk yet, only what it says on the sales information.

 

[PuffTheMagicDragon]

For me, the difference is that this is the first year that I have not stripped all of the teak back to bare wood. That tells me something.

It has worked for me but that doesn't mean it's right for everybody.

I do hope that it will also work for me!

Thank you for a clear and down to earth reply. I am not too sure about the final two coats of gloss; are they really necessary?

 

[burgundyben]

I went back to bare wood ten years ago, one thinned coat of Epifanes and then 8 neat coats, quick de-nib and 5 fiurther coats each spring, it was 9 years before I wnet back to bare wood again.

 

[philiphurst]

I do hope that it will also work for me!

Thank you for a clear and down to earth reply. I am not too sure about the final two coats of gloss; are they really necessary?

For me, yes, definitely. Why? Because Rapid Clear is semi-gloss and I like a glossy finish.

Flag varnish gives a high gloss result. Others do the same. Flag is cheaper than many. It may not last as well as others but I do not care (nor do I have any reason to think that it will not). It will all be sanded off next February and the process repeated.

 

[PuffTheMagicDragon]

For me, yes, definitely. Why? Because Rapid Clear is semi-gloss and I like a glossy finish.

Flag varnish gives a high gloss result. Others do the same. Flag is cheaper than many. It may not last as well as others but I do not care (nor do I have any reason to think that it will not). It will all be sanded off next February and the process repeated.

Fair enough. The semi-gloss finish is one of the reasons why I decided for Rapid Clear.

My only worry is to how it will stand up to high levels of UV because the UV Index in summer is usually 10 - 11.

 

[Javelin]

A little trade secret is to use Bonda Woodhardener or sealer - two coats before varnish - works an absolute treat.
Then after varnishing (we use various varnish depending on the wood and it's use) we use Fareclar UV wax - superb results on some very particular customers boats.

 

[philiphurst]

Fair enough. The semi-gloss finish is one of the reasons why I decided for Rapid Clear.

My only worry is to how it will stand up to high levels of UV because the UV Index in summer is usually 10 - 11.

So far, so good with the mast. Unless the Epifanes Gloss is doing all the anti-uv work.

 

[PuffTheMagicDragon]

So far, so good with the mast. Unless the Epifanes Gloss is doing all the anti-uv work.

Well, I guess I'll have to see how it goes. I can always add the gloss at a later stage if necessary. Thank you very much for sharing your experience.

 

[Alpha22]

Epifanes for the nice bright work..... ten coats, applied as it says on the tin.
Saddolin clear-coat gloss for the rubbing strake. Its a bit like Woodskin only no colour and a lot cheaper. Expect 5 years plus with no attention.

 

[pmagowan]

Do you all sand down between each coat?

 

[chal]

Do you all sand down between each coat?

That's one of the reasons I like Woodskin: no sanding (or thinning) - just whack it on

 

[pmagowan]

That's one of the reasons I like Woodskin: no sanding (or thinning) - just whack it on

It is a pain when varnishing to have to lightly sand each coat. I know some varnishes say that you can simply apply a new coat when the last coat is mostly dry but I don't know if this is a compromise.

 

[chal]

Chal is an old boat and not by any means perfect. I have limited time (the toad work squats on my life eating up my boating time!), limited financial resources, and I am trying to restore the parts of Chal I have not got around to, keep up the parts I have, and sail her too. This means I don't have time for stuff like dozens of perfect coats of varnish. They probably would look better, but to me at least the Woodskin looks pretty good, I rather like the semi-gloss finish, and it has the additional advantage that I don't loose sleep over scrapes and scratches because it is quite easy to put some more on. On that basis, the Woodskin instructions say "no sanding" and I follow them!

All these finishes are quite expensive but it might be worth buying a tin and trying it to see what you think. Much of Chal's exterior teak was taken back to bare wood last autumn and given 3 coats of Woodskin, which was all I could manage before losing the weather, and it all looks good after a winter afloat. I'll give it another coat or two as I get around to it, and I think that is all it will need.

 

[NOHOH]

But How Long Does it Last

A little trade secret is to use Bonda Woodhardener or sealer - two coats before varnish - works an absolute treat.
Then after varnishing (we use various varnish depending on the wood and it's use) we use Fareclar UV wax - superb results on some very particular customers boats.

Has anyone else used this Bonda Wood hardener Method?....and to what effect.....?

What I am interested in with an exterior varnish is its longevity....and ...up to a point..... I don`t really care what it looks like.......by which I mean..it doesn`t need to be a perfect high gloss finish throughout its life.....

My best efforts so far have been with Coelan....I`ve had an application last seven years (on two occasions) before I`ve had to strip it back to bare wood....and although its expensive...and is "interesting" to apply........its the nearest thing to "fit and forget" that I`ve ever found.......

The Coelan I`ve got on is just about ready for replacing........but what I want is to apply something that is going to last 10 years without being touched....... Any candidates?

 

[pmagowan]

Has anyone else used this Bonda Wood hardener Method?....and to what effect.....?

What I am interested in with an exterior varnish is its longevity....and ...up to a point..... I don`t really care what it looks like.......by which I mean..it doesn`t need to be a perfect high gloss finish throughout its life.....

My best efforts so far have been with Coelan....I`ve had an application last seven years (on two occasions) before I`ve had to strip it back to bare wood....and although its expensive...and is "interesting" to apply........its the nearest thing to "fit and forget" that I`ve ever found.......

The Coelan I`ve got on is just about ready for replacing........but what I want is to apply something that is going to last 10 years without being touched....... Any candidates?

Pixie dust?