Yatch varnish

ghostlymoron

Well-Known Member
Joined
9 Apr 2005
Messages
9,889
Location
Shropshire
Visit site
I bought a tin of Ronson's Yatch Varnish to do my woodwork on Anemone. Are the 2-pack and other 'marine' products so vastly superior to justify their price? I've found that woodwork should be done every year whatever I use.
 
You might manage fine with a non-marine product. Do bear in mind that you can spend a hell of a lot of time and money fixing failed attempts at cheap solutions. I have found that in my hands expensive Epifanes works every time. Given how much I messed around til I was happy I take the cost hit - my friends tell me there are much cheaper solutions.

Two part is an abomination. Numerous past threads come to that conclusion. It doesn't degrade gracefully. Probably with enough labour it works. Bet Ronseal is better.
 
I think the relevant part of Sarabandes link is highlighted here

Ronseal Hardglaze, Ronseal Satincoat and Ronseal Mattcoat are polyurethane based varnishes for the
decoration and protection of wood. The transparent finish enhances the natural beauty of wood whilst
providing long lasting protection to all interior woodwork​

However the data sheet for Ronseal Yacht Varnish is http://www.ronseal.co.uk/datasheets/ronsealyachtvarnish.pdf
 
Last edited:
International do a new one pack polyurethane varnish, called Compass. Im looking forward to seeing how it goes, I believe it superceeds Goldspar.
I think these marine types are very hard wearing, that they need to be.
But when we used to paint our families wooden boat, it was biggish, we always used dulux white gloss paint for the hull, every 2 years we did it. marine for other parts...dare I say the dulux lasted better.
 
I seem to remember that in the small print on International YACHT VARNISH it says something like " ...not suitable for a marine environment"!

I find that having used it on the boat, it lasts up to two seasons on the cockpit lids but chips and dings let the water under it very easily.
 
I bought a tin of Ronson's Yatch Varnish to do my woodwork on Anemone. Are the 2-pack and other 'marine' products so vastly superior to justify their price? I've found that woodwork should be done every year whatever I use.

I think definitely superior but also well overpriced. If you want the best go for Awlspar varnish (3 component) from Awlgrip - extortionately priced ! Then Epifanes. If you buy Int, or Blakes or Jotun then from my experince you may well as go for B&Q Exterior Clear, it´s the same only much cheaper.

Alternatively if you don´t require a mirror finish and it´s not a flat area (eg hand rails) then try Ceolan, or even Marine Cetol...if you can stand the colouration with Cetol overcoated with Ceolan clear coat this lasts 2 years in the Med !
 
I seem to remember that in the small print on International YACHT VARNISH it says something like " ...not suitable for a marine environment"!

I find that having used it on the boat, it lasts up to two seasons on the cockpit lids but chips and dings let the water under it very easily.

Just had a look at my tin of International Yacht varnish which is supposed to give 4 years protection, it says "Not Suitable For Floors" it dosen't say not suitable for the marine environment anywhere on my tins!!

I have used this varnish this year and like how it seems to perform, but time will tell.

Tom
 
horses for courses + a question

two pack is great on a dinghy - used it on my enterprise, wayfarer etc. and its really hard waring. But dingy's live under covers so the UV degradation is less of an issue.

My man hours are too valuable to me to use anything other than epiphanes on the exterior bright work of my yacht. That said, i've stripped most back to teak and just oil it now. Much less effort.

Interested in what the panel would recommend for interior mahogany woodwork. Its a HR Rasmus and 35 yr old and has some old matt finish varnish? finish on it.

I'm really scared to touch it as its nice wood etc. but its getting dull and needs brightening up.

What prep & finish goes well inside the boat?
 
I find that Le Tonkinois works well for touching up. It seems pretty robust and pretty tolerant to my non expert application and will go over the top of most things without any trouble. So far it has lasted well in the med sunshine and salt water on the inside of my bulwarks and on the bits of stuff I have touched up.

I used it over the top of stuff which had previously been done in varnol and was pretty tatty. To my surprise it gave a really good result after just a single coat.

It also seems to do a good job in touching up scratches in what was previously lots and lots of coats of Epifanes.

For me it gives very good results for a minimal amount of effort. If you have a lot more time on your hands then you may well find several coats of Epifanes is better.

Two pack is the bees knees for mirror finishes for dingy decks for sure - but it is a right pita to apply and needs a lot of sanding and polishing to get that final perfect result. I certainly would not want to be trying to do that over a large area or anything which is difficult to get an orbital sander on.
 
Epifanes every time....
you can buy 2 pack epifanes...gives a high build but is a bit brittle and if the wood flexes it will crack.
After attempts with all sorts of varnish I was advised by the varnishers on superyachts to stick with one pack epifanes..i did and after 12-15 coats ended up with a mirror finish with good depth...never thought i could produce varnished wodd like it. was amazed..
Regards
Roy
 
Just had a look at my tin of International Yacht varnish which is supposed to give 4 years protection, it says "Not Suitable For Floors" it dosen't say not suitable for the marine environment anywhere on my tins!!

This photo comes from the Le Tonkinois site, and I presume is genuine.

Rubbish_big.jpg
 
That looks nothing like the International varnish tin I get mine out of....!
Perhaps you didnt buy the marine one?
I have used it for years, it is good, and durable and retains its gloss.
i guess some people prefer Audis, when for others a VW does the same job, but cheaper.
 
This photo
is of a tin of "yacht varnish" supplied with the International Paints label and probably from a DIY store.

yacht_varnish.jpg
Everyone knows that's not suitable for marine use.​



For marine use choose one of the varnishes with an International Yachtpaint label
29_27906.jpg
 
Last edited:
While on yacht varnish, I would like to ask what thinners I can use to thin my Epifane varnish which has got a bit thick in the tin.
 
Interested in what the panel would recommend for interior mahogany woodwork. Its a HR Rasmus and 35 yr old and has some old matt finish varnish? finish on it.

I'm really scared to touch it as its nice wood etc. but its getting dull and needs brightening up.

What prep & finish goes well inside the boat?

Block sand with P320 and use Epifanes Rubbed Effect one pot varnish.
Any areas that are shabby sand with P220 and build up with Epifanes Gloss
then put a top coat of Rubbed Effect as above.
Cheers,
Chris
 
Top