What (tough) Varnish

[Georgio]

Hi,
I have what most people deem to be a plastic classic (Contessa 32) so I hope you don't think I'm posting fraudulently on here.

Having used blakes classic varnish for a number of years I love the rich deep colour and gloss it gives but it's not all that resistant to abrasion in areas of high wear.

I'm just getting the teak replaced in my cockpit and plan to varnish the capping that goes around the seat edge but this is a very high-wear area (mostly due to my racing crew's heavy feet).

What varnish would you recommend to use in place of blakes Classic that will still look great. I'm aware of the various stains that have been suggested in other posts but do not want to go down this route.

 

[Roach1948]

No contest - Epifannes (but not the rapid clear)

 

[Scarboroughsloop]

Seconded!

 

[Seanick]

International Original - dries quicker than Epi, and has better UV resistance, and stays just as shiney as Epi, for 2/3rds the price!

How about leaving it scrubbed?

 

[Amulet]

Agreed about Epifanes from a refugee from Blakes.

No contest - Epifannes (but not the rapid clear **for the top two coats**)

You can use rapid clear to bung on lots of quick undercoats.

 

[Georgio]

Thanks Chaps, Epifanes it is then. Roll on some warm spring days

 

[Scarboroughsloop]

If you're getting it replaced varnish at home before fitting.....

 

[Seagreen]

I like International Original but I quite like the Varnol for high wear areas. Then again, I don't mind topping it up regularly. Varnishing is IMHO one of the nicest maintenance jobs going.

 

[Georgio]

Ok, thanks again for all the replys to this one.

So the advice seems to be build-up layers quickly with Epi Rapid Clear but then use Epi origional for the top two coats.

 

[Seanick]

We tried Epi rapid clear when it first came out. It was a DISASTER!
We ended up re varnishing alot of stuff FOC the following winter.
It dries 'rapid' cause its so thin. To be any good put at least 10 coats on. The mahogany we used it on bleached up very quickly. All in all, very dissapointing. We used over 12 tins of the stuff on various jobs.
2/10

 

[ccscott49]

I totally agree, the rapid clear is rubbish, the "Hard wood oil" for rapid build up (no need to sand between coats) works well for me, then use epi standard for last two top coats, flatted.