Varnishing question

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cygnusv

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There's very little, externally, on our boat that needs varnishing apart from the back rail and the boom. The varnish I've previously used was not UV stable and needs stripping and replacing. Can anyone recommend a mid price varnish that will do the job at a reasonable price? :o
 
cygnusv said:
There's very little, externally, on our boat that needs varnishing apart from the back rail and the boom. The varnish I've previously used was not UV stable and needs stripping and replacing. Can anyone recommend a mid price varnish that will do the job at a reasonable price? :o
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Le Tonkinois used it outside and it is great just gentle rub with 240 and re coat when it looks a bit dull
 
jamie N said:
Out of interest, is that not quite difficult to get hold of? The reason that I ask is that when I tried to locate it, the only outlet seemed to be Stateside.
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UK supplier, and a nice guy to boot

Brian Murkin
Phone 01 628 629892 or 548840
81 Northumbria Rd, Cox Green
Maidenhead, Berks, SL6 3DQ
http://www.letonkinoisvarnish.uk

He was attending Boat jumbles but have not seen him at our local 1 for a while.
 
cygnusv said:
There's very little, externally, on our boat that needs varnishing apart from the back rail and the boom. The varnish I've previously used was not UV stable and needs stripping and replacing. Can anyone recommend a mid price varnish that will do the job at a reasonable price? :o
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International Woodskin. A porous woodstain that cures reasonably glossy. Easy to apply, touch up and refresh. Way outlasts conventional varnishes which require extensive preparation and constantly maintenance. Expect a life of 5+ years before refreshing. About £20 a tin which will be 10 years supply for your job.
 
I've just 'varnished' a new stern toerail using Sikkens Filter 7 & the appropiate priming coat. 2 coats of primer and 3 coats of topcoat. I chose Light Oak finish on mahogany. Jewsons had a display board showing the various finishes on both soft wood and a mahogany type hardwood. It looked better than the pine colour. Certainly looks good, not quite as glossy as traditional varnish, used Sikkens on the house and pleased with it.
 
jamie N said:
Out of interest, is that not quite difficult to get hold of? The reason that I ask is that when I tried to locate it, the only outlet seemed to be Stateside.
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I've decided on Le Tonkinois, readily available from John at Traditional Boats in Beccles Suffolk. Always helpful and nice bloke to deal with, first met him at the Boat Show about 10 years ago, but no other connection. 01502 712311
 
Tranona said:
International Woodskin. A porous woodstain that cures reasonably glossy. Easy to apply, touch up and refresh. Way outlasts conventional varnishes which require extensive preparation and constantly maintenance. Expect a life of 5+ years before refreshing. About £20 a tin which will be 10 years supply for your job.
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+1 strongly recomended
 
Tranona said:
International Woodskin. A porous woodstain that cures reasonably glossy. Easy to apply, touch up and refresh. Way outlasts conventional varnishes which require extensive preparation and constantly maintenance. Expect a life of 5+ years before refreshing. About £20 a tin which will be 10 years supply for your job.
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or try "Sadolin extra durable clear coat". A very similar product without the 'Marine' price tag. Available in Gloss or Satin. Homebase is the easiest place to pick up a tin.
Sticks to teak quite well (if you like that kind of thing) outlasts varnish by years and is easy to touch up and re coat.
 
For varnish, I like Blackfriars. It seems exceptionally hardy outside.

I have used the Sikkens HLS and Filter 7. Almost as good as varnish and a darn site easier and faster. Not a 'concours' gloss, but it sometimes more fun to go sailing than being on hands and knees getting the perfect finish.
 
Alpha22 said:
or try "Sadolin extra durable clear coat". A very similar product without the 'Marine' price tag. Available in Gloss or Satin. Homebase is the easiest place to pick up a tin.
Sticks to teak quite well (if you like that kind of thing) outlasts varnish by years and is easy to touch up and re coat.
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And looks like plastic!
 
Anyone actually used "Sadolin extra durable clear coat"?
I'm doing a sample now on teak.
Easy to apply,dries in about 24 hrs,good colour.
Have done 3 coats so far,reckon 6 will fill the grain.
Have been using Coelan for the last 10 years but it's hugely expensive and difficult to apply.Also not easily available in the Med.
So far it doesn't look like plastic anymore than Coelan and has a richer colour.
Time will tell.
 
Tranona said:
International Woodskin. A porous woodstain that cures reasonably glossy. Easy to apply, touch up and refresh. Way outlasts conventional varnishes which require extensive preparation and constantly maintenance. Expect a life of 5+ years before refreshing. About £20 a tin which will be 10 years supply for your job.
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Following various recommendations, I've just applied first coat of Woodskin to a solid sapele cockpit table I've just made which, in its bare form is very pale. Surprised (but not unhappy) at how much darker it has become with just the first coat, will each further coat darken it a "lot" more or just a shade each time?
 
Just for interest, I know I said I'd decided on Le Tonk... I bought the varnish from Trad Boats but haven't used it yet. However, inside the boat, I've done the engine enclosure with Ronseal Diamond Hard Floor Varnish. We have two cats on board and needed something effective that dried quickly. I can honestly say that I am massively impressed with the satin gloss (like new furniture) finish, and it has proved very hard wearing. The engine box lid gets lots of use and after a year or more it is still completely unmarked. Surprisingly I got the best finish by thinning the varnish (water based). Magic stuff and any nugget ( I include myself ) can use it. Highly recommended if you don't want a mirror finish everywhere.
 
Anyone actually used "Sadolin extra durable clear coat"?
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I have it on my hardwood (mahogany??) rubbing strake. It is now 2 years on and it is still nice and dark and shiny.... except where I twatted it on a lock wall.
My friend has teak trim on his boat and currently is on year 6, with the occasional light rub down and overcoat.

Time is telling!!!! For minimum effort and low(ish) costs..... it is as good as (if not better than) Woodskin.
 
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