interior finish

[johnweaver]

I need to touch-up some areas on the teak in the interior of my 1986 Pearson 36.2 and was hoping that someone could tell me what type of finish was typically used when the boats were being made. Was it oil, varnish, shellac...

Thanks for any insight that might help match the factory finish.

 

[shorty]

I have used a satin rubbing varnish for areas that I have matched up (1985 P-34). It may have been gloss originally, but it is not now. The rubbing part allows tapering & blending into the areas that you are not coating. If you are coating whole panels or areas, regular brush on will build much faster. You can then also use a "spar" type with UV inhibitors because you still get plenty of that in the saloon. Doubt it was oil or shellac, those are just not durable enough for anything but furniture that is carefully cared for.

 

[johnweaver]

thanks

Shorty, thanks for the quick reply. Your information is very helpful. It probably was a gloss finish but like you said it certainly is not now. some of the wood we need to refinish is in the companionway so the spar varnish makes more sense, but to better match the finish I think we will go with a satin rubbing varnish and forgo the uv protection.

We have spent some time up in Southwest Harbor; it is a beautiful place with great sailing.

Thanks again

 

[Ariel]

John,

I used a satin finish interior varnish on the companion way sides and it lasted about two years before it began to look "spotty". I then lightly sanded it again and used a exterior spar varnish with proper UV absorbers. That coat (two coats) has been on for the last eight years and still looks good. As the bulkheads are at nintey degrees to the interior bulkheads, you do not see much change between the gloss of the spar varnish and the satin on the interior.

Our boat gets a lot of use as we live aboard for six months each year and the varnish has held up well.

Dave
s/v Ariel

 

[johnweaver]

good advice

Dave, that makes it sound like I should use the spar varnish so I will not be re-coating every two years; and like you said the areas with the different finishes are on different planes so it will be hard to notice.

Thanks