Favorite Varnish or Finish

RonMc1954 · Post by **RonMc1954** » Wed May 09, 2007 9:44 pm

I was wondering what is the most popular finish us boatbuilders are using now. I have always used Z-Spar Flagship. Let me know what you use.

Bassbug · Post by **Bassbug** » Wed May 09, 2007 9:54 pm

I have used Interlux Schooner on two boats and Epiphanes on the last. I know lots of builders rave about Epiphanes. However, that was not my experience. I was unable to get an even flow between areas I was wetting out even when thinned. I did not have that problem with Schooner. It went on so well and flowed much better than Epiphanes. I plan to stay with Schooner (I can also get it sort of locally - Omaha, NE). I have not tried Z-Spar, so not comparison there.

Glen Smith · Post by **Glen Smith** » Wed May 09, 2007 9:59 pm

I have only tried 4 so far and my favourite is Epifanes High Gloss. I wish it had less amber tint to it but I have very good application results and it is quite durable, keeps a high gloss for several years.

Rick · Post by **Rick** » Thu May 10, 2007 6:56 am

Defthane, available at Lee Valley, and only in Canada according to the info:

http://www.leevalley.com/wood/page.aspx ... ,190,42942

Defthane runs the least of all the varnishes I've tried, maybe because it's thinner and thinner coats are possible right out of the can. It's recommended for floors and hard-use areas, as well as marine applications (I emailed their tech staff to check on the UV resistance), it seems like a good choice where abrasion resistance is needed.

Interlux Schooner is also a very good varnish, but at more than twice the price, I'm probably too cheap to buy it again.

ealger · Post by **ealger** » Thu May 10, 2007 10:44 am

HMG Coma Berenice Bright for exterior and HMG K-Type Matt for interior.
Ed..

http://www.newfound.com/varnish.htm

sedges · Post by **sedges** » Thu May 10, 2007 1:23 pm

I'm afraid I am the cheapskate of the group. I have been using Benjamin Moore Impervo 440 Spar Varnish for over 20 years. It is probaby about $10 a quart, but works very well. I use my boats very hard, so the difference between a $30 and a $10 varnish does show much after a few trips. I do no thinned coats. I put 3 on the outside wet sanding with 220 in between and 2 on the inside with a non-skid additive added for the floor portion of the hull. Makes it non-skid, but also non-reflective.

Invest in a good brush.

WestCoastPaddler · Post by **WestCoastPaddler** » Fri May 11, 2007 9:38 am

I've been using System 3's two-part linear polyurethane (LPU). On my latest project (a Pygmy Coho) I sprayed the LPU and then sanded to 1200 grit wet and then buffed using Meguir's polishing compounds. The LPU is definitely more difficult to apply, but I think the finish is every bit as good as varnish with the added bonus of being much, much tougher.

Here's a photo when I was nearly finished the buffing:

The finished boat::

RonMc1954 · Post by **RonMc1954** » Fri May 11, 2007 10:37 am

That's a nice looking yak Dan. Talk about a mirror finish. Is that Mahogany?
Thanks for everyones responces
Ronmc1954

WestCoastPaddler · Post by **WestCoastPaddler** » Fri May 11, 2007 11:58 am

Ron, the wood is sapele plywood. Sapele is indeed a mahogany and comes from Camaroon, Africa. There is no stain on the wood -- it's amazing how much the colour changes depending on the angle of light shining on it. The accent pieces at the bow and stern, and the coaming are made from an Australian hardwood called Jarrah.

The plywood uses only the outer layer of sapele -- the other two laminates are okoume. This is due to the fact that sapele weighs much more than okoume -- on my boat, the single ply of sapele added about 5 pounds to the finished weight (which is 46 pounds).

This is my third time using System 3 LPU and I've been very pleased with the results. Spraying it on is definitely the way to go, but rolling and tipping off will work just as well if you intend to sand and buff afterwards.

Here's another photo of the finished boat that shows how dark the wood can look in certain lighting (yes, that's a Bear Mountain Endeavour beside it):

I'll be using System 3 LPU for the finish on my next building project -- a Bear Mountain stitch and glue Magic.

RonMc1954 · Post by **RonMc1954** » Fri May 11, 2007 4:13 pm

Thanks Dan, Tell me more!!! I was thinking of clear coat but one person had a problem with it when his boat was exposed to harsh weather for 2 months.I am really wanting to spray my finish but all I have is a regular automotive spray gun. Which should work but I hear a lot about the newer HVLP sprayers. If you have time can you tell me, or us, your method of spraying System 3 LPU? I found System 3 WR LPU is that the same? Am I reading it right it is 2 parts but water based? What ever water borne means :confused
Thanks
Ronmc1954

WestCoastPaddler · Post by **WestCoastPaddler** » Fri May 11, 2007 4:33 pm

First off, this was my first experience spraying anything and I'm by no means an expert at this stuff. A friend of mine sprayed if for me using a regular suction-feed sprayer to do my boat but I think I'll buy an HVLP sprayer for my next boat -- I'm sure there would be much less waste and definitely less overspray.

The System 3 product is called WR LPU and is a two part water soluble paint. Because it's water-based, it cleans up really easy and has almost no odour to speak of. On your final coats of LPU you add some cross-linker drops to the LPU -- this will create a very hard, and durable final finish (I can tell you that it's a heck of a job to sand it off later).

Instead of repeating what I've already written about applying the LPU, you can have a look on my website -- if you scroll down to about halfway down this page you'll find plenty of discussion regarding the LPU application on my Coho.