Foam brush & varnish

Peter Kotowych · Post by **Peter Kotowych** » Wed Jun 29, 2005 1:13 pm

Hey,

I am about to varnish the canoe. I bought foam brushes which state on the handle, 'not for shellac or lacquer'. Of course I noticed this after I bought them. Would they be suitable for Epifanes varnish? They seem to be of good quality.

Thanks
Pete

GeirB · Post by **GeirB** » Wed Jun 29, 2005 1:34 pm

It says the same on my foam brushes, have had no problems at all with the Epifanes varnish. Used a foam roller (?) to apply the varnish and the foam brush after, as a flat brush.

GeirB

Doug · Post by **Doug** » Thu Jun 30, 2005 7:09 am

May be of interest;
http://www.greenval.com/FAQvarnishing.html

Back-up on this web site and check out the "Builders Notes"

All the best,
Doug

.

JimND · Post by **JimND** » Thu Jun 30, 2005 10:16 pm

The foam brushes with the wood handles, not plastic, will work just fine, especially for tipping off the finish. There is neither shellac nor lacquer in varnish.

AlanWS · Post by **AlanWS** » Fri Jul 01, 2005 3:37 pm

Many work, and it's not likely to be a problem. However, if the brush disintegrates and leaves bits of foam on your boat, or the handle dissolves and leaves discolored splotches, that would be very upsetting. All you need to do to check is to pour a little varnish into a paper cup, put a brush in it and let it stand for half an hour, and rub it around. If there is a problem with the brush, you will have noticed it without damaging your boat or contaminating your varnish.

davidb54321 · Post by **davidb54321** » Fri Jul 01, 2005 5:00 pm

I have used foam brushes with varnish with no problems as far as the varnish affecting the brush. Some solvents will loosen the glue that holds the handle to the foam, but if that happens during clean up, I just throw out the brush.

Dave · Post by **Dave** » Sat Jul 02, 2005 7:27 pm

I just re-varnished one of my canoes today with a foam roller and a foam brush. Works good for me.
Dave

Peter Kotowych · Post by **Peter Kotowych** » Sat Jul 02, 2005 8:08 pm

Thanks for the information guys.
Just a thought.
Since lighting is such an issue when varnishing, I was thinking of using (I'm not sure the correct name of it) a miner's head lamp. The thing is worn like a hat. It always faces the area being varnished. Provides good illumination. Why not, eh? Has anyone tried this?
(too bad there wasn't a an emoticons with a miner's lamp. Perfect spot for it. Work on that one will you Glen.). Like this, Pete?

Glen.

Pete

KARKAUAI · Post by **KARKAUAI** » Sat Jul 02, 2005 10:14 pm

Seems to me you'd want the light coming toward you at an angle to the surface you're varnishing...like looking for all those little shiny spots before you varnish.

Peter Kotowych · Post by **Peter Kotowych** » Sun Jul 03, 2005 9:20 am

Glen,
You are the best!!
Just what the doctor ordered!!

Pete

KARKAUAI · Post by **KARKAUAI** » Tue Jul 05, 2005 10:50 pm

I'm about ready to varnish my new outrigger (had the first one sprayed professionally), and have been reviewing what I can find about varnishing. Seems like most folks are final-sanding the epoxy with 220 grit, but Martin Step of Green Valley says to use nothing finer than 120. Has anybody had a problem with the varnish not sticking after a 220grit final epoxy sanding?

Glen Smith · Post by **Glen Smith** » Tue Jul 05, 2005 10:56 pm

I normally do the final epoxy sanding with 120 grit however I have done one boat with wet sanding up to 320 grit and the varnish adhered just fine. For between coat sanding I use 220 grit dry.

KARKAUAI · Post by **KARKAUAI** » Wed Jul 06, 2005 6:04 am

Mahalo, Glen, I'm going to put one more coat on the decks and gunwales, then start trying to clean up the shop before varnishing.