Just dropping a note here for those thinking about varnish on exterior wood.
You need a large build up of coats and an annual maintenance to make it look it’s best. In the north we have less UV however my exterior varnish looks great some 8 years and going now. Base coat was 26 coats ( no that’s not a typo, it’s 26 coats) with the wood removed. Annual recoating of another 3 coats in the spring keeps it looking nice With the wood in place. If you gouge or Nick the varnish though you need to rebuild the base. If you live in the south you’ll still need the 20+ base and about 6 coats (3 in spring and fall) to maintain the shine. this comes from working on large yachts where owners wanted gleaming bright work to impress. Proper varnish should look like a glass finish with no noticeable grain being felt in the finish coats.
Most recreational sailors in smaller boats don’t want this level of maintenance and are satisfied with less base coats but also complain of it failing after a year or two.
This is not for the faint of heart but for those who love varnish gleaming in the sun.
Interior wood is only 3 coats over epoxy sealer and has needed No renewal in the past 7 years or so.
on that. Varnished all my exterior bright work some time back. Looked great for a couple of years. Let the sun do its thing over the last couple of years instead of sanding. Going back to teak oil. Even if I have to re-apply every year. Easy-peasy. These old bones of mine need a rest. The interior, however, should be a one and done operation if protected from the elements.
