Woodskin or Cetol?

[banger]

Am stripping the mast on my little gafffer and am considering using one of the above, I have always used varnish in the past but understand that the modern finishes are better, and advice gratefully appreciated.

 

[Quandary]

I used Woodskin this year, bit soft, horrible tint and looks as if it will need frequent renewal, Cetol which I use on the weatherboarding on our house seems a bit more durable, soaks in to the wood more and with a big range of shades, but they are claimed to be the same stuff? For spars which are subject to abrasion I think you might be better sticking with varnish. Cetol keeps well in the tin, I applied some five year old stain yesterday. Woodskin is one of those modern 'convenience' products, easy and quick to use without needing a lot of preparation.

 

[GHA]

Isn't woodskin cetol marine rebranded?

 

[Quandary]

Isn't woodskin cetol marine rebranded?

So they say, but I have used Cetol for years and the Woodskin I used on the boat this year while just as easy to apply did not seem quite the same, however my stock of Cetol Novatop was bought several years ago so probably, like most coatings these days, the best solvents have been substituted for something cheaper or 'safer' by now.

 

[VicS]

Isn't woodskin cetol marine rebranded?

So they say, but I have used Cetol for years and the Woodskin I used on the boat this year while just as easy to apply did not seem quite the same, however my stock of Cetol Novatop was bought several years ago so probably, like most coatings these days, the best solvents have been substituted for something cheaper or 'safer' by now.

ITYWF that International Woodskin replaces Sikkens Cetol Marine. I am still using Cetol so have not compared the two.

Cetol Novatop is different. It is the top coat of a two coat system being applied over Cetol Novatech.

 

[PaulRainbow]

There are also two types of Cetol, HLS Plus and Filter 7. HLS soaks in, filter 7 is the "top coat" and does leave a skin type finish. Both now include UV protection. I've used both at home and have used Filter 7 on the last boats coamings, lasted well but i think i'd prefer the look of HLS. I have a tin of HLS onboard, but have yet to use it, but someone on the same pontoon as me has been using it on a wooden boat it it looks good.

 

[KINGFISHER 9]

What thinners do you use for cleaning Woodskin brushes? … or can they be cleaned in water … please?

 

[PaulRainbow]

What thinners do you use for cleaning Woodskin brushes? … or can they be cleaned in water … please?

It's solvent based, so you can't use water. Sikkens say "paintbrush cleaner". I used automotive panel wipe.

 

[VicS]

What thinners do you use for cleaning Woodskin brushes? … or can they be cleaned in water … please?

If you read the "Product data sheet" you will see that they say "Thinner no1" .... which is the same as white sprit!

 

[Graham376]

I used Woodskin this year, bit soft, horrible tint and looks as if it will need frequent renewal,

Used Woodskin March 2015 on cockpit table which has been left mounted and uncovered in Algarve weather since then. Still O.K.

 

[Plum]

Am stripping the mast on my little gafffer and am considering using one of the above, I have always used varnish in the past but understand that the modern finishes are better, and advice gratefully appreciated.

I have been using Sikens Cetol 7 on my gaffer for 18 years and the previous owner for a few years before me. Does not look as good a real varnish but very acceptable. Very low maintenance. 2 coats with no rubbing down between. After a year clean with soapy water and a very fine sanding block used very sparingly then one more coat. After that should only need a recoat every 3 years. However, it is not as abrasion resistant as varnish so you will have to take great care to avoid anything rubbing. I use it on hatch, handrails, rubbing strips (with fenders!) Gunwhales, cap rails, the entire cockpit and bowsprit BUT not my mast. The gaff saddle would wear it away too quickly. My mast was given 2 coats of West epoxy and then 2 coats of two-pack varnish which i last applied 8 years ago!! It is still in very good condition with no wear-through from the gaff.

Www.solocoastalsailing.co.uk

 

[Tim Good]

For what it's worth I've used woodskin on my iroko cap rail. It's soft and rubs off easily with a fender line or tight rope. It also gets water under it easily whilst it is meant to be breathable. All in all I'm not impressed with it even when I prepared the surfaces correctly and put down 5-7 coats.

 

[Pye_End]

All in all I'm not impressed with it even when I prepared the surfaces correctly and put down 5-7 coats.

Perhaps too many? I use 2 coats, although I see the instructions say 3.

 

[Tim Good]

Perhaps too many? I use 2 coats, although I see the instructions say 3.

Tried 2 before and it was almost gone within 6 months.

 

[Graham376]

Tried 2 before and it was almost gone within 6 months.

Mine is OK (so far) with the 3 coats. Woodskin, like other similar products, loses its micro porosity if too many coats are applied and contrary to normal thinking is more likely to fail.

 

[banger]

Thanks for the info, varnish it is, I used Coelan for years but it's expensive, but I may do the mast with it as, in my experience, it lasts, did my last gaffer in 2012 with it and it's still good so I am told.

 

[maby]

Thanks for the info, varnish it is, I used Coelan for years but it's expensive, but I may do the mast with it as, in my experience, it lasts, did my last gaffer in 2012 with it and it's still good so I am told.

Good decision! We made the mistake of using Woodskin on the cockpit table in our previous boat - it looked horrible and took ages to sand back so that I could apply something more conventional.

 

[Tim Good]

I think on vertical surfaces you can get away with a lot. But for horizontal that gets sun and standing water then a decent varnish is probably the best. Or nothing it at all.