Interlux and thinner

[Ctskip]

Now that I have scraped and sanded the teak (bright work) on my topsides I'm now ready for the finish. I've got the interlux and now I need to know what to thin it with. I thought that it would tell me on the can but it doesn't. If I go to a paint store they will sell me just what they carry and not always is it the right stuff. So I'm asking all sailors. What do I thin out interlux with for the first(sealer) coat. I know not to thin more than 10%. And that almost seems not to be worth thinning at all.But I still want total absorption. I'm going to spend much time on masking off the areas of the deck. Also, should I let this masking tape stay on through all 4 or 5 coats? I'm almost there and I'm waiting to pull the trigger . Thanks all  Keep it up, Ctskip

 

[RichH]

Most interthane varnishes ......

... need to be thinned with either Interlux 333 or 216 thinner.I usually heavily thin the first coat ... called a 'spit coat' that really soaks into the wood. I usuallly pull the masking tape for each coat as sometimes the varnish, especially if thinned, will creep under the masking tape. If you wait several days to find the 'mess' under the tape, you have more of a mess than if you pulled the tape after each coat and wiped up the 'wicked' varnish. How much thinner to add usuallly I add lots of thinner to the first coat so it soaks well into the wood. Then for subsequent coats .... all depends on how the varnish is 'flowing'. I follow the "Don Casey" method: I use a glass plate, mix up what I think the mix should be and apply it to the vertical glass plate. If the paint varnish doesnt flow-out or leaves 'brush marks' I'll keep adding thinner (a few drops at a time) until it flows-out perfectly. If it runs/sags, then I add more paint/varnish. I keep 'adjusting' until either there are no brush marks ... and no runs and sags. Then I paint/varnish the surface I intended to. If you want 'perfection' - try an airbrush. Never return any varnish to the original can ... always mix or 'dab your brush' in a separate clean container. When done, simply throw away whats left over ... never ever return it to the can and never dab your brush in the original can. This will keep the bumps, dirt inclusions, etc. to a minimum. Good luck and dont forget the 'tack rag'. ;-)

 

[jimq26]

Teakwork on your topsides?

I have never seen teak on a boat's topsides unless of course it would be a wooden vessel. Some sort of splash rails?

 

[jimq26]

CTskip - that's a beauty!!

(nm)