Yacht interior satin varnish

[clyst]

Iv tried several "satin" varnishes trying to achieve a sheen similar to that of most modern yachts but always turn out "matt" even after following manufactures instructions. Can anyone recommend a tried and tested satin varnish that really gives a satin finish that I'm trying to achieve?

 

[croz]

Im using Farball Coatings, Farbatane satin product which is an indoor/ outdoor lacquer which I used previously for parquet flooring but it gives a lovely satin finish and is for indoor and outdoor applications. Im refitting my boat presently and doing the whole interior with it and love the finish as I too wanted the satin finish rather then the matt or gloss thats more easily available. Another benefit is it recoats very easily. The main uk agent is in Harrogate, a guy called Kevin Deighton who is very helpful if you give him a call.

 

[Phoenix of Hamble]

Have you tried Epiphanes matt?

I think the finish is more satin than matt and looks very modern.

(Not cheap though!)

 

[sailorman]

ronseal outdoor clear satin is a pleasant finish (& comes in smaller tins 250ml that are good for smaller jobs)

 

[wotayottie]

Iv tried several "satin" varnishes trying to achieve a sheen similar to that of most modern yachts but always turn out "matt" even after following manufactures instructions. Can anyone recommend a tried and tested satin varnish that really gives a satin finish that I'm trying to achieve?

Found exactly the same problem doing work on my 96 Bowman built boat. They seem to have used a two pack which is very resistant to paint stripper.

 

[Blue5]

Matched the finish on our previous Westerly with a satin melamine lacquer from F.T.Morrels

 

[PlankWalker]

Coat on coat of satin varnish does end up with a very dull finish,

To overcome this I use gloss varnish for the first few coats and finish with satin for the final 1 or 2 coats

It gives a much brighter sheen.

Plank

 

[prv]

To overcome this I use gloss varnish for the first few coats and finish with satin for the final 1 or 2 coats

Yep, this is what the instructions say for Epifanes. If the OP is using only satin varnish, that might be his problem.

I built a new chart table and gave it seven coats of normal and two of satin; it looks very good, and I guess similar to a modern yacht finish (there isn't really any of that in my boat to compare it to).

Pete

 

[Croc]

Ronseal Ultra Hard Satin polyurathane has done it for our dining table....minimum of four coats, I am very pleased....it seems to do what it says on the tin.

 

[Zagato]

I am going to use International Woodskin around the cabin entrance strips, step etc where there is a bit of wear. It's similar to Epifanes oil mix stuff! Great for masts, spars etc. Lovely to use no drips/bubbles etc

 

[clyst]

Thanks chaps for all your replies . I think the answer is to use gloss for "under coats" followed by a couple of satin . thanks .

 

[AndrewB]

Isn't the finish on most new yachts brushed wax rather than varnish?

If so, it must be sanded right back before revarnishing. It won't come off with stripper, and it can't be over-varnished.

Fifteen years back I revarnished throughout with something called 'egg-shell' varnish which gave a very nice satiny finish. Unfortunately it became very stained by repeated dousings when we went ocean sailing. I couldn't find it again when I decided to revarnish recently. Regular satin-finish varnish (over gloss) didn't look half so nice, and Ronseal simply terrible, so I went back to yacht gloss. It gives a traditional, rather than a modern look to the cabin but I like it much more than I expected to.

 

[jwilson]

Thanks chaps for all your replies . I think the answer is to use gloss for "under coats" followed by a couple of satin . thanks .

Yes, as others have said, several gloss undercoats first. Wet sand with fine wet and dry, then I tend to use a mix of 50:50 gloss and satin for the last two coats. Gives a nice sheen surface.

 

[lw395]

Johnstone's floor varnish seems to be holding up well at home FWIW.

As is the Ronseal water based stuff, but that took months to become fully water resistant.

 

[TimBennet]

Coat on coat of satin varnish does end up with a very dull finish,

To overcome this I use gloss varnish for the first few coats and finish with satin for the final 1 or 2 coats

It gives a much brighter sheen.

Spot on. I just use satin for the last coat.

I'm really wary of any Ronseal products. They all claim to be 'easy to use' or 'one coat does everything', but I find getting a perfect finish with them next to impossible. Ironically, I find the more basic, or 'old fashioned' the varnish, the easier it is to use and certainly the easier it is to touch up.

 

[northwind]

Internally why use Varnish?

I use Osmo Polyx, applies with a rag, easy to maintain and hard as nails..

http://www.osmouk.com/osmopolyx.cfm?chapter=29

Alternatively use Oil

 

[JimC]

Johnstone's floor varnish seems to be holding up well at home FWIW.

I've used the same on my boat's interior, not just the floor but all the interior woodwork. The oil-based not the quick-drying which is water based. The satin finish really does dry satin.

http://www.johnstonestrade.com/product-range/product.aspx?product=Floor_Varnish

 

[Bodach na mara]

Spot on. I just use satin for the last coat.

I'm really wary of any Ronseal products. They all claim to be 'easy to use' or 'one coat does everything', but I find getting a perfect finish with them next to impossible. Ironically, I find the more basic, or 'old fashioned' the varnish, the easier it is to use and certainly the easier it is to touch up.

I use the Ronseal varnish but I found that the water-based stuff not good. Get the stuff that uses white spirit as thinner and brush cleaner.

I have also used Ronseal polyurethane floor sealer as an interior varnish but would not repeat that. Either it is a bit old (probably about 10 years at least) or because it is high build but I found the finish was soft after several days curing. Why did I use it? because I needed to varnish something and the can was there in the shed.

 

[Croc]

Although I have recommended Ronseal Ultra Tough Satin I would NOT recommend any of the water based varnishes I have used. They dry fine and quickly and appear hard but they go horrible and sticky if sprayed with a cleaning spray...foul.... but the stuff I am talking about is a spirit based product that seems to be vey tough and impervious to cleaning spray, alcohol and most things life throws at it.

 

[Me_has_a_Boat]

I don't like shiney varnish in an interior - I have gone for a satin finish (used international), and finished off with polish! Doesn't quite look like furniture, but close enough for my tastes. I doubt if the interior will ever be re-varnished (well, not by me!), from past experiance with decent varnish on then a polish every few years keeps it looking good (and the odd knock is character )........if only the outside varnish was so simple .

I hate varnishing like looking at a bit though - far happier with a tin of paint .