Wooden Boat People

By McKenzieDriftBoat.com

Less gloss on varnished brightwork

Am in the middle of refinishing my wooden wherry, have finished painting the outside and added epoxy mixed with graphite for a skid plate type bottom. I have sanded the interior and while sitting in my thinking chair and drinking a beer really liked the way it looked without the highgloss varnish. Its epoxy coated so needs UV protection, it had 4 coats of varnish on it when I built it, I gave it a light sanding with 220 then wet sanded with 400 just enough to get out the scratches and give a good bonding surface so I figure there is still plenty of varnish left on it, so what I'm thinking is give it a coat or 2 of the high gloss with UV inhibitors and for the final coat a satin finish varnish. Anybody ever use the matte finish varnishes? Do you think there will be any problem with the two different types of varnish bonding? If I go through with it will probably use the epifanes matte finish varnish over a couple coats of schooner varnish which is what the existing coats of varnish are. Any thoughts or suggestions?

▶ Reply to This

Replies to This Discussion

Permalink Reply by Eric Loudenslager on January 28, 2014 at 7:54am

I have applied different brands of varnish over each other without loss of the coating. You might also consider using the System 3 wr-LPU. It comes in a satin finish clear. Another option would be General Finishes 405 exterior water based poly with UV protection. Last summer I refinished over Interlux schooner with the General Finish and have had no problems. One key to applying the GF water based poly is to use golden takalon artist brushes. Homestead Finishing sells large sizes.

Disclaimer: I am currently making a deliberate move to water based to eliminate storing and disposing solvents.

▶ Reply

Permalink Reply by Rick Newman on January 28, 2014 at 1:57pm

I have to agree with Eric on the General Finishes 405. However I spray it and have had good luck. You can see the results of the spraying on my page where I posted pictures of the results during my build. I have a feeling the non-water based finished are becoming extinct by regulation, so I thought I would learn how to use them and work with them before I was forced to. I store my boat outside but covered and raised as far as I could at the bow to provide the best drainage. We haven't much snow or moisture yet so things have stayed pretty dry. I'll open it soon and see what is happening.

Rick N

▶ Reply

Permalink Reply by Phillip Westendorf on January 28, 2014 at 4:40pm

Robert,

From my experience and research on the subject of varnishing, 400 grit doesn't leave enough "tooth" for the subsequent coats of varnish to bond to mechanically. 220 grit is about as fine as you'd want to go. I'd recommend a light sanding with 180 grit prior to the next coat of a high quality varnish.