Varnish

[Danny Turner]

When applying varnish to the new canoe is it OK to apply straight from the tin or should it be thinned with a suitable thinner and 3-4 coats applied? Thanks folks. I have`nt been around for a while but my canoe is now at the final stage (almost).
Thanks again.
Danny

[Bill Robb]

Hi Danny...

I'm just finishing off my varnishing stage. I used Epifanes High Gloss, and followed the manafacturer's instructions - first coat was thinned 50% with Epifanes Brush Thinner. Second coat was thinned 25%. Third and fourth coats were thinned 15%. I put a final coat on the hull last night - thinned at 10%. Every coat was dry sanded with 320 grit.

Some advice - work the varnish across, diagonally, and across again. Try to get as thin a coat as possible. It will prevent some drips and sags for you.

Good luck...

Bill

[Danny Turner]

Thanks Bill. I`ll go along with that. I want to get it finished before I go to Toronto this year and hopefully get up to Rice lake for a spot of canoeing and fishing. Also Peterborough is quite close and I`ll get to see the canoe museum again.
So thanks again Bill.
Danny

[ealger]

Really good method and advice here:
http://www.greenval.com/FAQvarnishing.html
Ed...

[Danny Turner]

Brill Ed. And I think I looked at this same page sometime ago too. Thank you.
Danny

[Patricks Dad]

You won't need to thin the first coat 50%. The Eppifanes directions to thin 50% assumes a bare wood surface. Starting with an epoxy surface which won't absorb any appreciable volume, you can start with a bit thicker and go from there.
Thin coats...