My fiberglass boat has some wood or brightwork that I am replacing as part of the boat's restoration. I wonder why most marine finish products are varnish instead of polyurethane. I finished my tiller with poly, reasoning that I put it away indoors for the winter, and finished the brightwork with varnish. I found the varnish to require more coats, and even using one of the most popular brands (captain's varnish)more difficult to get a smooth finish without runs and voids. The poly has superior self-leveling characteristics, no bubbles, no runs, no voids, less coats. Why is varnish generally preferrred?
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Time is the test.
Tim: 'Most' poly finishes are not very good in the sun. Even when they claim that they are for exterior use. Your tiller is probably covered whenever the boat is not being used so that is not a very good test. Find two similar pieces of wood and do one with Poly and the other with varnish. Let them sit in the sun for a prolonged period of time (1 mo, 2 mos, 3mos) and see what happens to each one.
Tim: 'Most' poly finishes are not very good in the sun. Even when they claim that they are for exterior use. Your tiller is probably covered whenever the boat is not being used so that is not a very good test. Find two similar pieces of wood and do one with Poly and the other with varnish. Let them sit in the sun for a prolonged period of time (1 mo, 2 mos, 3mos) and see what happens to each one.
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Gerry
Poly
I have used poly on my exterior wood on several boats and it has held up very well. The thing is that make sure you buy one that is rated for exterior use with uv blocking agents. Its the same with varnish. I have used both in the past and if you don't prep the wood properly or if you get the wrong product for your application you will have problems. Poly is much easier to apply and has a better finish with the least amount of work. If you are putting it over old wood that has had varnish make sure you remove all the old varnish or the poly will peel over time.
I have used poly on my exterior wood on several boats and it has held up very well. The thing is that make sure you buy one that is rated for exterior use with uv blocking agents. Its the same with varnish. I have used both in the past and if you don't prep the wood properly or if you get the wrong product for your application you will have problems. Poly is much easier to apply and has a better finish with the least amount of work. If you are putting it over old wood that has had varnish make sure you remove all the old varnish or the poly will peel over time.
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Bill O'Donovan
Varnish
If the wood is well prepared and you can somehow cover it after sailing, varnish is preferred. It's been good for the past thousand years, and looks better.
If the wood is well prepared and you can somehow cover it after sailing, varnish is preferred. It's been good for the past thousand years, and looks better.
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David
Varnish
Is preferred by who (or is it whom } Bill? Coating bare wood with epoxy THEN covering with a UV protectant finish, varnish or poly, is the most durable.
Is preferred by who (or is it whom } Bill? Coating bare wood with epoxy THEN covering with a UV protectant finish, varnish or poly, is the most durable.
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Ken J
Varnish
Over the last decade I've tried almost every non-varnish high tech product and I'm now back to using Captains Varnish. It's easier to work with, looks best and proabaly lasts as long as any of the newer finishes, which have all disappointed me.
Over the last decade I've tried almost every non-varnish high tech product and I'm now back to using Captains Varnish. It's easier to work with, looks best and proabaly lasts as long as any of the newer finishes, which have all disappointed me.
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Ric Shultz
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Les Murray
Bristol Finish
I have been using Bristol Finish, a two-part poly finish, for my exterior teak. I love it. I usually refresh my top coats every year or two and forget it the rest of the season. Looks just as good as varnish and holds up a lot better. Using it is no short-cut, except that you can put it on wet-on-wet. Still need to prep the surface just as you would for varnish and apply it with the same techniques. I usually will put on four coats in one day, let it dry for a few days, then sand and apply four more coats to finish it off. Looks great and lasts for a couple of years. Les Murray s/v Ceilidh '86 C-36 #560
I have been using Bristol Finish, a two-part poly finish, for my exterior teak. I love it. I usually refresh my top coats every year or two and forget it the rest of the season. Looks just as good as varnish and holds up a lot better. Using it is no short-cut, except that you can put it on wet-on-wet. Still need to prep the surface just as you would for varnish and apply it with the same techniques. I usually will put on four coats in one day, let it dry for a few days, then sand and apply four more coats to finish it off. Looks great and lasts for a couple of years. Les Murray s/v Ceilidh '86 C-36 #560
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Tim Long
Thanks
Thanks for your replies. Seems Varnish is preferred, and probably weathers the elements better. It seems that old varnish just slowly wears away, whereas poly may crack and peel. I did end up putting 4-5 coats of Captains Varnish (Z-spar)on the woodwork, and it does have a great, glassey finish. It's also good to know not to cover varnish with poly, but I'm afraid I've already done that on my other boat. Live and learn.
Thanks for your replies. Seems Varnish is preferred, and probably weathers the elements better. It seems that old varnish just slowly wears away, whereas poly may crack and peel. I did end up putting 4-5 coats of Captains Varnish (Z-spar)on the woodwork, and it does have a great, glassey finish. It's also good to know not to cover varnish with poly, but I'm afraid I've already done that on my other boat. Live and learn.
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Les Murray
Bristol Finish can go over varnish.
That would be a great way to preserve your varnish job. Just give a light sanding with 200 grit, clean off the dust, and put down a few coats of Bristol Finish. Les
That would be a great way to preserve your varnish job. Just give a light sanding with 200 grit, clean off the dust, and put down a few coats of Bristol Finish. Les
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