What happened to Sadolin Ultra?

Carib

Carib

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www.sailinginlimbo.blogspot.com
Sadolin Ultra sounds excellent. I have a Classic Boat report (here - p.82 onwards) and apparently it has 'the best level of sheen/low gloss we've come across for an exterior woodstain... its good translucence means that its marine market potential is also assured and extends beyond workboats into the realm of graceful luxury yachts'. Pretty high praise (they were reviewing Woodskin at the same time).

But guess what? They don't seem to make it any more. I've emailed Sadolin to ask, but does anyone know the nearest equivalent? Possibly Sadolin Extra Durable Clearcoat (although its technical data isn't identical)?
 
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Thanks - they all seem pretty close. Decisions, decisions..

Now if anyone could give a clear and logical explanation of the difference between Cetol HLS + Filter 7, Novatech + Novatop, and Woodskin, that would really be something..
 
"Thank you for your email. Unfortunately Sadolin Ultra was deleted from out range 3 years ago with no replacement. I am sorry we have been unable to assist you on this occasion, should you require any further assistance, please do not hesitate to contact us. "

Disappointing (although impressively quick to respond!).
 
Carib said:
Thanks - they all seem pretty close. Decisions, decisions..

Now if anyone could give a clear and logical explanation of the difference between Cetol HLS + Filter 7, Novatech + Novatop, and Woodskin, that would really be something..
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Novatec/Top was discontinued some time ago. I liked that and it lasted very well on a mast -10+ years. Redid the mast back to bare wood a couple of years ago and used Cetol Filter 7 base coat and top coat. went on well and looked fantastic. Sold the boat, but had confidence it would last well.

Woodskin is a different formulation but is cheaper and easier to both apply and freshen up. Probably not as abrasion resistant as Cetol and a muddier finish. All the considerable brightwork on the wooden boat the mast was on was Woodskin , some of it going back over 10 years and always looked good after a refresh/repair coat every 3 or 4 years.
 
Tranona said:
Novatec/Top was discontinued some time ago. I liked that and it lasted very well on a mast -10+ years. Redid the mast back to bare wood a couple of years ago and used Cetol Filter 7 base coat and top coat. went on well and looked fantastic. Sold the boat, but had confidence it would last well.

Woodskin is a different formulation but is cheaper and easier to both apply and freshen up. Probably not as abrasion resistant as Cetol and a muddier finish. All the considerable brightwork on the wooden boat the mast was on was Woodskin , some of it going back over 10 years and always looked good after a refresh/repair coat every 3 or 4 years.
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Thank you, most helpful. But you can still get Novatech and Novatop - see here for example. Are you thinking of plain 'Cetol' possibly?

I have used Woodskin before and it looked excellent initially but seemed to rub off very easily where there was any wear (e.g. teak handrails with an inflatable stored across them). Possibly I was expecting too much.

In terms of finish and durability, which would you say had the edge of the three you mention?

I was previously sold on Le Tonkinois, until I worked out exactly how many dry days are needed to put the requisite number of coats on!
 
Interesting about Nova as that is what I was told by Brewers when I went looking for it. instead they recommended Cetol filter 7. Certainly looks better as Nova was very dark and flat, but lasted well. You are right about Woodskin, it is soft and not abrasion resistant but you can just recoat the worn bits and water does not seem to spread under the adjacent coating. Despite that I would still use it for trim and clear finished panels like coachroof sides as it is UV resistant and easy to maintain. After 40 years of wooden boat ownership I liked anything that meant less work! Have finished the teak companionway doors, trim and cockpit table on my plastic boat with it and seems ok, but only on for a year so far.
 
All great info, thank you. For some reason Novatech/Novatop isn't recommended for teak, but no such prohibition is mentioned on the data for CLS/Filter 7. It sounds like that could be the one to go for.

..although now I've found Epifanes Rapidclear, which looks good too.. just to add to the indecision!
 
Sandy said:
In my experience Woodskin evaporates in a season.

I've moved to Le Tonkinois and have been delighted with it.
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Yes, it's good stuff, which I used on my grabrails last year, but I never got enough coats on and now much of it has gone...

How many coats of Le Tonkinois do you apply to get a durable finish?

I really need something I can apply in a weekend or perhaps two (just grab rails, dorade boxes, cockpit coamings) which for anything with a 16/24 hours drying time means no more than 4 coats or so.. which didn't seem enough for Le Tonkinois. Spending a week of good weather just varnishing will have to wait for retirement I think!
 
Sandy said:
In my experience Woodskin evaporates in a season.
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Are you sure that you are talking about Woodskin? Cannot see how it can "evaporate". As i noted earlier much of the Woodskin on my old boat had been on there for more than 10 years. Its only downside. is that it goes dull after 2 or 3 years and is not particularly abrasion resistant, but a light abrasion and refresher coat fixes that.
 
Carib said:
I really need something I can apply in a weekend or perhaps two (just grab rails, dorade boxes, cockpit coamings) which for anything with a 16/24 hours drying time means no more than 4 coats or so.. which didn't seem enough for Le Tonkinois. Spending a week of good weather just varnishing will have to wait for retirement I think!
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Really with those requirements then Woodskin is the answer. 4 initial coats can be done comfortably in 2 days with no rubbing down required between coats. won't give you that high class "yacht" finish, but if you want that the cost is the extra time and effort you describe. Even when you you are retired you will probably find better things to do with your time.
 
There needs to be some clarification: Epifanes Woodskin is invented by Epifanes deliberately for Teak. And it provides a hard surface that is hard wearing and VERY easy to touch up year after year. International Woodfinish isn't the same product at all. Epifanes Rapidclear and coat are similarly design for teak.
 
tillergirl said:
There needs to be some clarification: Epifanes Woodskin is invented by Epifanes deliberately for Teak. And it provides a hard surface that is hard wearing and VERY easy to touch up year after year. International Woodfinish isn't the same product at all. Epifanes Rapidclear and coat are similarly design for teak.
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You have the names wrong. Woodskin is Internaational, Woodfinish is Epifanes. The are similar formulations, both being modified oil varnishes. Epifanes has 2 formulations, one semi gloss and one giving a high gloss finish, International is semi gloss. Both are microporous and suitable for oily woods such as teak. Similar preparation and application. Direct competitors, with International having a significant cost advantage.

Rapidclear is a modified alkydurethane resin and recommended for weathered wood including oily woods. Semi gloss finish
 
Tranona said:
Really with those requirements then Woodskin is the answer. 4 initial coats can be done comfortably in 2 days with no rubbing down required between coats. won't give you that high class "yacht" finish, but if you want that the cost is the extra time and effort you describe. Even when you you are retired you will probably find better things to do with your time.
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Ditto to everything but I use Cetol Filter 7.
Retired 12+ years and, yes, there are many better uses of time unless it's varnishing at home, during winter, and it's pouring down outside.
 
Let us know how you get on, although I really don't think you will find it much different as it is a similar formulation. The High Gloss version sound interesting. Epifanes are 25% more expensive, but as a tin lasts for a long time if you are only doing small areas and trim guess that's not too important.
 
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