Epifanes wood finish - help!

[Chris & Lenore]

I fabricated a new engine panel from a teak plank and used Epifanes wood finish gloss on it. I degreased/deoiled the teak with acetone and let that dry half an hour. Then I put on a coat of Epifanes, thinned 25% (using their thinner). It's been 24 hours now and it's still tacky. Can says tack free in 2 hours. Is this normal behaviour and can I reasonably expect to recoat every 24 hrs? Do I need it to dry completely tack free before recoating? The only places tack free at this time are where the finish soaked completely into the wood. BTW, temp is 68F and humidity is 60% in my workroom.

Any words of wisdom appreciated (except advice to use another produce - too late for that).

Thank you,

Chris

 

[Charlie Jones s/v Tehani]

Answered your message just now

 

[alexco38]

use starboard instead

Starboard doesn't need varnish.

 

[$tingy Sailor]

My experience with Epiphanes Clear Gloss Varnish is that it cures slowly even at full strength. But once it does cure, it's very hard. Give it a few days or until you're confident that the next coat won't dissolve the last.

 

[Chris & Lenore]

Starboard doesn't need varnish.

My boat is a "teak lumberyard" - one more piece is no problem (if it dries)

 

[woodster]

My experience with Epiphanes Clear Gloss Varnish is that it cures slowly even at full strength. But once it does cure, it's very hard. Give it a few days or until you're confident that the next coat won't dissolve the last.

the thinner you make the product the faster it will cure the reducer is just a vehicle for the product and it has a faster flash point than the product as far as what Holdech has now put some heat lamps around it and see if that speeds up the drying time but not too close as you will burn it up

 

[Chenega]

I fabricated a new engine panel from a teak plank and used Epifanes wood finish gloss on it. I degreased/deoiled the teak with acetone and let that dry half an hour. Then I put on a coat of Epifanes, thinned 25% (using their thinner). It's been 24 hours now and it's still tacky. Can says tack free in 2 hours. Is this normal behaviour and can I reasonably expect to recoat every 24 hrs? Do I need it to dry completely tack free before recoating? The only places tack free at this time are where the finish soaked completely into the wood. BTW, temp is 68F and humidity is 60% in my workroom. Any words of wisdom appreciated (except advice to use another produce - too late for that). Thank you, Chris <img src="http://forums.sbo.sailboatowners.com/attachment.php?attachmentid=86756"/> <img src="http://forums.sbo.sailboatowners.com/attachment.php?attachmentid=86757"/> <img src="http://forums.sbo.sailboatowners.com/attachment.php?attachmentid=86758"/>

I use Epifanes all the time - great product. Often when finishing teak this will happen (has to do with the oil in the teak even though it was washed with acetone). I've had it do the same with other varnishes also. I like to thin the first coat 50% the second 25% then the remainder full strength. But no worry - let it cure for a few days, then just break the surface with fine sand paper -320. Let it sit another day and it will dry. This helps the solvents evaporate... Finish off with the build up coats, then sand good and flat with 320. Clean well and apply a finish coat.

 

[Prime Time]

In the past, i thinned first coat 90%

 

[DougM]

I have used Epifanes very successfully, but it can take more than 24 hours to become tack free depending on humidity especially on teak. Bare wood sanded with 80 to 120 grit, surface dusted, then wiped with alcohol ( evaporates more slowly than acetone). Good surface preparation is essential. First coat thinned 50%, after drying, scuff with 220 grit and wiped down with mineral spirits, next four to 5 coats thinned 25% , scuff between coats with scotchbrite pad, wipe with mineral spirits. Final coats unthinned, scuff between coats. All coats except the final coat are gloss, Some use a final coat of matte finish which seems to give a little bit of UV protection. Also use the best badger hair brushes you can get to get a great finish.

 

[Ted]

Epiphanies wood finish - help

Epifanes gloss is a great product. Just curious, was your varnish a fresh, unopened can when you began the project? Sometimes old products don't behave as expected. Give it some additional dry time. I'm sure you finished project will turn out okay.

 

[caguy]

Yes, it needs to be thinned. Next time.
http://www.jamestowndistributors.com/userportal/document.do?docId=205

 

[Chris & Lenore]

Epifanes gloss is a great product. Just curious, was your varnish a fresh, unopened can when you began the project? Sometimes old products don't behave as expected. Give it some additional dry time. I'm sure you finished project will turn out okay.

It was a new can last summer. I used it once on another teak panel and if I remember correctly it took two days for the first coat to dry tack free.

 

[Chris & Lenore]

Yes, it needs to be thinned. Next time. http://www.jamestowndistributors.com/userportal/document.do?docId=205

I thinned 25% as recommended by the manufacture (they said 25% for teak and 50% for other woods - for the first coat). I used their thinner too.


Chris

 

[caguy]

I thinned 25% as recommended by the manufacture (they said 25% for teak and 50% for other woods - for the first coat). I used their thinner too.


Chris

Atta boy.

 

[Ron20324]

.... I like to thin the first coat 50% the second 25% then the remainder full strength....

My can of Ep "high gloss clear varnish" calls for 50%, 25%, 15% percent cut for the first three coats. Then zero to 5% for following coats. It says to use their "spray thinner for paint and varnish" or a good-quality mineral spirit or turpentine to thin. Hhmm... it says nothing about temperature or humidity.

 

[Dannotti]

I just did my teak stern seat and companionway hatch handle with 8 coats of pettit captains 2 top coats and flagship bottom 6 coats. Every coat thinned or full strength took about 24 hour to dry to where I could lightly sand and apply next coat. I would recommend giving it a day between coats.

Also if you want a really nice final coat with no bubble or dust nibs, let it dry and rub it out with several coat of Behlen Deluxing Compound. Its leave a flawless smooth finish.

 

[Crazy Dave Condon]

I was always asked why thin Ephines to begin with. What you are trying to do is fill in the pores of the wood and to do that is to thin it out so it will go in better. Good advice given but 90% thinning not really needed but 50% is suggested for the first coat which I did as a dealer