Varnishing new washboards

greggron

greggron

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Having toyed with the idea of acrylic washboards, I went for a straight like for like marine ply replacement. I have cut out and done all the fitting. Now I'd like to get the opinion of the panel on the best weatherproofing coating. I was thinking many coats of epifanes in decreasingly thinned concentrations. Is there a better, more durable, as beautiful option?

TIA
 
I ( now ) use International Compass. A tough durable single pack polyurethane varnish. I replaced my washboards in the late 1980s and have always used the current International single pack polyurethane on them. I tried all the well known snake oils on the originals.

I refit the old ones ( and the old ply locker tops) and take the new ones home for a fresh coat of varnish most winters.
 
(This is predicated on the fact you want a shiny yacht varnish finish and have discounted Woodskin).

Any varnish is a toss up between using softer, more traditional (but easier to patch) types, versus tougher, polyurethane ones that withstand knocks, but are more difficult to patch.

Some situations are easy to choose one over the other - eg polyurethane for the saloon table but traditional around the cockpit, etc.

Washboards are a more difficult choice as they do take plenty of knocks especially when stored, but my choice is International Compass (polyurethane), but I have a well sorted storage bag/system when they're out. This does the most for their longevity.

I also used to have a painted set (with a huge ventilator built in) which I put in when the boat is left for long periods on its mooring.

If you choose International Compass, I've also had good results from starting with the two part, Fast Dry clear primer. It's not as convenient as the old UCP, but you can get four coats on in a couple of days and it's easy to rub back to a fantastically flat surface which takes varnish beautifully. Remember to dilute the first coast 25% with Thinners No9.
 
For myself, I'd first coat them with epoxy for hardness, then in several (traditionally seven) coats of varnish for UV protection.

And I trust you've built them with ship-lap joints, not just unglued scarfs?

Mike
 
Epifane. Gloss varnish; this is hard and uv resistant. First two coats of 50/50. Then full fat coats. Keep going till you get board (no pun intended). Sand with very fine sandpaper, circa 400 on the 2nd last coat. Then one final coat. If you have the time and patience you can sand between each coat but the difference in finish is not that much. I'd suggest a minimum of 6 coats. The more the better and deeper the finish. Super yachts etc will go for 12 plus coats. Takes a god day or two for the coats to dry.

Good luck. It will look lovely. (We have a battered old wash board we use for the winter to save varnishing!!)
 
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