Which coating to use?

[stuwhite]

I'm presently restoring (attempting to anyway) a 1968 GP14 and need some advice on which coating(s) to use on the centre board and rudder. After removing about half an inch of paint I've disvovered some really nice looking wood and was wanting use a clear coating on them rather than hide the wood away again. Any Suggestions?

Cheers

<hr width=100% size=1><P ID="edit"><FONT SIZE=-1>Edited by stuwhite on 12/10/2004 10:39 (server time).</FONT></P>

 

[Althorne]

I would have thought that lashings of West Epoxy would be a good way to start followed by a decent coating of varnish that can be rubbed down periodically to get you back the point where you can varnish again without disturbing the Epoxy.
Should last a lifetime IMHO.

<hr width=100% size=1><A target="_blank" HREF=http://colvicownersclub.mysite.wanadoo-members.co.uk>http://colvicownersclub.mysite.wanadoo-members.co.uk</A>

 

[LittleShip]

Try epoxy if the wood is looking good enough you will get lots of info from this site??
<A target="_blank" HREF=http://www.epoxy-resins.co.uk/>http://www.epoxy-resins.co.uk/</A>

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I wish I'd been born rich instead of good looking ?

 

[AndrewB]

I always used just normal marine varnish on the centreboards and rudders of my wooden dinghies, and it worked fine. Polyurethane varnish is a little better in this application than traditional, but either will do. The boards must be cleaned back to bare and allowed to dry completely out, any trace of water left in the wood will very quickly wreck the finish, specially on the centreboard which will be kept in its damp casing. This is particularly true of marine ply, which I think was used on GP14's in the 60's.

A really fine finish involving 8 or more coats carefully sanded between, not only looks good but actually will last a lot better. If the wood is not in good condition, e.g. crushed edges, ply delaminated, grain cracks, then varnishing alone will not be good enough. Sand off edges, leaving an irregularity if necessary, and seal cracks and edges with clear epoxy before varnishing. But personally I would repaint wood/ply that is not in really good condition.

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[gandy]

Stu,

Here's a document detailing epoxy treatment and fibreglass reinforcement for a Wayfarer centreboard :

http://www.wayfarerinternational.com/finishingCB.pdf

Better to save the document, then view offline.

Tony S

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[Joe_Cole]

Personally, I'ld use epoxy and, for any bits that are exposed to UV I would overcoat with 2 Pack Polyurethane.

Just a thought though. Strip all the the wood before you go out and buy the materials. It may be that you've scraped back to a nice bit of grain, the rest of it may not be so attractive.

If you end up using paint, then I'ld still use Epoxy, followed by Polyurethane!

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[clyst]

The best thing to use if all the paint has been removed is an epoxy (2pack) varnish ( international crystal or similar)about 25 squids a tin but long lasting .

Cheers

Terry

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