What tiller varnish

oldbilbo

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So there's this 4-foot scruffy wooden tiller in the 'shed looking unloved, and the present weather cries out for some long-overdue varnishing. There's none left on the business end, just bare grubby wood, and what's left elsewhere is flaking and fading. Certainly it needs stripping back and re-addressing. But with what?

Some exterior clear Diamond Hard Polyurethane? Or Deks Olie? Perhaps Woodskin...? How about a clear, hard exterior white.....? Or.....?
 
starting early to avoid the heat this morning ? :)

Clear epoxy (having made certain all the glue lines,etc., are 100%), then Ronseal Exterior Diamond Poly, then when it's all dry, some dark red and white Turk's Heads and other frappings to give the paws some grip and to match the new canvas work.


On second thoughts, cut out the epoxy and varnish.
 
Type of varnish not critical - having a cover is if you want it to last. Shape makes it difficult to varnish and get an even finish so one that is tolerant of poor brush work, such as Ronseal is easier to apply.
 
Epifanes. Thin the first few coats with turpentine, not white spirit and other cheapo alternatives. Then carry on varnishing. Bored? get the varnish pot out! Once you have a really good base it's the matter of a moment to add another coat. The tiller on my Contessa must have had 30 odd coats of varnish.
 
Type of varnish not critical - having a cover is if you want it to last. Shape makes it difficult to varnish and get an even finish so one that is tolerant of poor brush work, such as Ronseal is easier to apply.

A tip I was given once and I used it when doing the lounge floor is to use paint pads.
I did the floor about eight years ago and it's still good. Absolutely no brush/pad marks and obviously no bristles stuck in the varnish.
 
I would second Epifanes, gives a lovely finish. I use the throw away foam brushes for varnish, no hairs or brush marks.
 
I would go for something with a high level of UV filtering.
International one-pack polyurethane is good and quite tough.
A cover is a good idea too.
You may want the bit you hold bare, like on an oar?
 
For practical as opposed to...wow...looks like a Steinway piano...Sadolin extra durable clear coat.

Gives an acceptable...to my eyes...finish, is durable and easy to touch up.

Doesn't go well over other finishes, best on bare wood.

Oh and you wouldn't need a cover.
 
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