So per my last thread I went with the Cetol for the wood trim on my H-34. I am applying in the early evenings outside. After 4 days of consecutive coats with no issues I show up on day 5 and the finish looks 10 years old. The gloss hard coat is completely gone. It looks like I just stained it. This only occurs at the places exposed to the sun. The shaded parts are fine. Is this just the result of applying outdoors exposed to the sun? If I shade it and apply it will it then last? Anyone experience this problem?
Problems with Cetol
- Thread starter markwbird
- Start date
Everything I read says 3 coats, then if you want a glossy finish switch to cetol gloss for the 4th coat
I have had really good look with Cetol, I have used it for several years and never had an issue like you did. However, I always understood that you want to put it on early enough in the day that it will be completely dry before evening dew (or any moisture) can get to it. The nice thing about Cetol is that you can scuff it up and throw on another coat. I have several pieces that have more than three coats on it (both original application and annual maintenance coats) and I have never experienced a loss of shine or issues overnight like that. For sure I would give it a light sanding and put on one more coat before I resort to starting over. Oh, while the Cetol Clear Gloss looks nice, I have it in a couple of places on my boat, do not put it on anything which you will need to grab or step on when wet...its slicker than owl sh-- when wet.
As a former dealer, I used Cetol for wood work. First prep the wood and lightly sand if rough. The first coat should be thinned by half so it can seep into the pores of the wood. It should be of course on a dry day for any application when it is warm. The next two, I used full strength with a light sanding between each application to remove any trash that got on it to include dust after it dried of course. The last coat like they say above. Then you have a good base to start off with. However, this should be done on a dry day allowing enough time for the Cetol to dry before another application
Sounds like moisture is the problem
Thanks, all, for the insight. It sounds like moisture is the culprit. The fourth coat, before the problem occurred, was applied later in the day than the others (7 PM). We get a very heavy dew in the bay area that sets in not long after sundown. My solution has been to cover the work with a tarp for shade and apply early in the day when sunny and dry. We will see how it goes.
Thanks, all, for the insight. It sounds like moisture is the culprit. The fourth coat, before the problem occurred, was applied later in the day than the others (7 PM). We get a very heavy dew in the bay area that sets in not long after sundown. My solution has been to cover the work with a tarp for shade and apply early in the day when sunny and dry. We will see how it goes.