Wooden Boat People

By McKenzieDriftBoat.com

Varnish Question

I started putting some coats of varnish on the rails, seat parts, etc.
My question is, how many coats of varnish is the standard for handrails?
I am using Z-Spar Flagship 2015.

I am at 3 coats right now, and have sanded lightly in between coats to remove small particulate.
I mainly want to get the rails done so I can install the bolts...

Let me know what you guys think.
Thanks!
Jason

▶ Reply to This

Replies to This Discussion

Permalink Reply by Greg Hatten on May 18, 2009 at 6:47am

Hey Jason...
I put about 5 coats on mine before I took it out of the barn for the first time... every winter I've been applying a couple of coats - just to protect it and keep it looking "fresh".
GH

▶ Reply

Permalink Reply by Lawrence E. Long on May 18, 2009 at 7:54am

Jason: There really is no "standard" but at a minimum I would say 6. What are the particulates you are removing? bugs? A peapod I built several years ago has 10 coats of Flagship on the gunwales and sternsheets. Looks great- but then I am retired and have more time than money. After you sand with the 325 grit wipe it all down witha damp rag using mineral spirts, then use your tack rag just before the varnish and keep the dog out of the garage. I wet down the floor with a hose before each coat.
Good luck

▶ Reply

Permalink Reply by Jason Knight on May 18, 2009 at 8:32am

I had some small specs of dust and a few strands of golden retriever hair... not a huge deal.
I figure 5 or six coats with the addition of a couple coats of the next few seasons should get it built up nicely.

▶ Reply

Permalink Reply by Dave Z on May 18, 2009 at 12:48pm

You'll never notice the specks of dust and hair. Wait till you drop it in the river!

6 coats? that's $$$$$ and alot of fumes!

3 coats of 1015 on my boats has served well enough. One boat had a 2 coat add on after two years. boat is fine and still looks great, gets about 60 days on the water and is stored indoors.

Lawrence is right- wet your garage floor down and be careful.

When I used to re-do bamboo rods, I used to dip them in the bathroom. I used to run the hot water in the shower for a few minutes and get it all steamy. Run in there, dip the rods in varnish and let them hang. Never a dust or lint speck.

▶ Reply

Permalink Reply by Jason Knight on May 18, 2009 at 5:08pm

Good to know fellas - thanks for the input. I had put on coat #4 this evening and just noticed a big fat sag on the inside rail near the front... Rather than fuss with it, I figured best to let it harden, then sand out the sag and put one final thin coat over the rails and call it good. Thought I had it looking pretty perfect until I noticed the sag in the light coming in on a certain angle. Doh!