Wooden Tiller Weather Protection

Hornet_UK

Hornet_UK

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Hi All

I have just bought a new wooden tiller for my Dehler 31 came untreated so I need some advice on what to do next.

Is it better to varnish it or do you have any other suggestions on the way to treat the wood?

If I varnish it what are the steps I need to follow to get a reasonable result?

Sorry if this sounds a bit daft but I have never done anything with wood other than cut it wrong or paint it!:o
 
Varnish looks nice but can be high maintenance. A cover of some sort is a worthwhile investment if you go down that route.
You might also consider a woodstain, which will leave the wood looking darker but will need considerably less work on your part.
Or you could oil it, which has the advantage of not having to remove old coatings as part of maintenance- you merely 'top it up' every so often.
 
Epifanes varnish every time. You cannot beat it IMHO.

Sand smooth, 50/50 coat, 75/25 coat then 6+ coats of 90/10. Sand in between each coat with one of those fine green sanding pads that they sell in the chandlery, about 600 grit. The sanding part is really just roughing up the surface using what feels like a dish wipe. After each sand clean with white spirit then use a decent tack cloth to clean.

Make a sock cover to protect it (must do that myself this yet).
 
O
PhillM said:
Epifanes varnish every time. You cannot beat it IMHO.

Sand smooth, 50/50 coat, 75/25 coat then 6+ coats of 90/10. Sand in between each coat with one of those fine green sanding pads that they sell in the chandlery, about 600 grit. The sanding part is really just roughing up the surface using what feels like a dish wipe. After each sand clean with white spirit then use a decent tack cloth to clean.

Make a sock cover to protect it (must do that myself this yet).
Click to expand...
Absolutely all of the above, then I just use a spare cylindrical cover from one of those collapsing chairs. Works a treat.
 
Thanks for the replies.

Mavanier said:
Varnish looks nice but can be high maintenance. A cover of some sort is a worthwhile investment if you go down that route.
You might also consider a woodstain, which will leave the wood looking darker but will need considerably less work on your part.
Or you could oil it, which has the advantage of not having to remove old coatings as part of maintenance- you merely 'top it up' every so often.
Click to expand...

Which Oil would you recommend?


PhillM said:
Epifanes varnish every time. You cannot beat it IMHO.


Sand smooth, 50/50 coat, 75/25 coat then 6+ coats of 90/10. Sand in between each coat with one of those fine green sanding pads that they sell in the chandlery, about 600 grit. The sanding part is really just roughing up the surface using what feels like a dish wipe. After each sand clean with white spirit then use a decent tack cloth to clean.

Make a sock cover to protect it (must do that myself this yet).
Click to expand...


When you say 50/50 etc does that mean 50% Varnish & 50% thinners?
 
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Hornet_UK said:
Which Oil would you recommend?
Click to expand...

Depends on the wood really. Boiled linseed is cheap, 'teak oil' costs more. I confess I haven't used it a great deal myself.

There are probably more ways of treating wood than there are of skinning cats. Some products don't really fall into any of the three broad categories I mentioned. E.g. Deks Oil, Varnoil, there's also 'Woodskin' which people seem to be liking at the moment.
 
Mavanier said:
Depends on the wood really. Boiled linseed is cheap, 'teak oil' costs more. I confess I haven't used it a great deal myself.

There are probably more ways of treating wood than there are of skinning cats. Some products don't really fall into any of the three broad categories I mentioned. E.g. Deks Oil, Varnoil, there's also 'Woodskin' which people seem to be liking at the moment.
Click to expand...

Ok, thanks for your help.:)
 
In general, if you use a good modern conventional varnish, prepare carefully and put on lots of coats, then it should last a few years.
Don't use polyurethane or two pot; when, eventually, you need to go back to bare wood, you will find out why not.
 
Hornet_UK said:
Hi All

I have just bought a new wooden tiller for my Dehler 31 came untreated so I need some advice on what to do next.

Is it better to varnish it or do you have any other suggestions on the way to treat the wood?

If I varnish it what are the steps I need to follow to get a reasonable result?

Sorry if this sounds a bit daft but I have never done anything with wood other than cut it wrong or paint it!:o
Click to expand...

Suggest a woodstain like International Woodskin. Easy to apply gives a good sheen lasts a long time. Then invest in a canvas cover like a condom. Then you will only have to do the job once. Do not use oil of any sort.
 
Do not think there is enough information here to able to give any advice...

What wood is it? What construction is it? is it laminated?

We have just bought a chunk of Teak for ours rather than traditional Ash, just cause we would rather go sailing than loose a nice day sanding and varnishing the tiller each year...
 
onesea said:
Do not think there is enough information here to able to give any advice...

What wood is it? What construction is it? is it laminated?

We have just bought a chunk of Teak for ours rather than traditional Ash, just cause we would rather go sailing than loose a nice day sanding and varnishing the tiller each year...
Click to expand...

Not entirely sure of the wood however it is laminated. I've added a couple of pics that may help identifying what type of wood it is.

image.jpgimage.jpg
 
That tiller deserves to be varnished so that it can serve as a highlight in the cockpit. If it's like my Sadler tiller then it will be detachable by undoing one bolt so you can take it home in the Winter to revarnish under good indoor conditions.
 
My Contessa 33's tiller had about 40 coats of Epifanes varnish. Bored? Varnish the tiller! After a time it became a 5 minute job...
 
Any varnish would be fine for the job as long as you put some sort of canvas cover over it when you are not using the boat. I have a classic wooden dinghy that has nearly ten year old varnish that still look like new because it is never left uncovered except when I sail it.

Or just Coelan it and never touch it again.
 
Hornet_UK said:
Not entirely sure of the wood however it is laminated. I've added a couple of pics that may help identifying what type of wood it is.

View attachment 28617View attachment 28618
Click to expand...

As others have said that will make a cracking looking tiller...

Some one will be along to recommend that there method is best, then some one else will tell you there's is better... Lots of varnish I would say which type well there are better guru's on here than me...

One would suspect Ash and Mahogany laminated would be what the timber but its only a guess...

Not certain it matters, protect it well and it should give you years of good service....
 
Varnish is so much yesterday's technology. Get withit, and use one of the breathable woodstains.
I have had excellent results using Sadolin Quick Drying (Natural). Dry in minutes, clean brush with water. What's not to like?
 
NormanS said:
Varnish is so much yesterday's technology. Get withit, and use one of the breathable woodstains.
I have had excellent results using Sadolin Quick Drying (Natural). Dry in minutes, clean brush with water. What's not to like?
Click to expand...

The Finish, why have a lovely laminated tiller then cover it with that c rap.
 
I used Varnol last year, it took about 20 coats.
It looked fine but needs re doing this year.
I'm using varnish this year.
I've never found two pack difficult to remove, I use a heat gun. I don't like it 'though because when it fails it's difficult to patch, the 'scab' grows.
 
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