I had some old Target Coatings product in my basement for the past 3 years. I never opened it until yesterday. It turned to a paste like substance. I took a litlle of this stuff out and mixed it with distilled water, which is recommended for thinning, and was able to thin this stuff out pretty well. It looks good to me. I could strain it to make sure all lumps are out. Can I assume this product is Ok to use? Thanks.
Waterborne Varnish question
- Thread starter Pat T
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I wouldn't
Catalina switched to a water based varnish on their below-decks teak in the Mark II models. The best "endorsement" I ever heard from someone who had it and hated it was this: "That varnish is great, it lets me see where all the leaks are because the varnish runs right off!"
That stuff doesn't belong on a boat.
Catalina switched to a water based varnish on their below-decks teak in the Mark II models. The best "endorsement" I ever heard from someone who had it and hated it was this: "That varnish is great, it lets me see where all the leaks are because the varnish runs right off!"
That stuff doesn't belong on a boat.
Thanks Tim,
Tried to contact the company but some customer service departments are not as good as others. Couldn't find the shelf life on the can either but I'll check again. I think this stuff will definately take on the wood I am just questioning whether it will hold up long term. I was hoping somone out there had the same problem as me at one time. Some of these guys are pretty knowledgable. There are experts out there. If someone doesn't reply back with some specific experience I probably won't take the chance. I just hate to wait to receive another quart. I have only been able to buy on line.
Tried to contact the company but some customer service departments are not as good as others. Couldn't find the shelf life on the can either but I'll check again. I think this stuff will definately take on the wood I am just questioning whether it will hold up long term. I was hoping somone out there had the same problem as me at one time. Some of these guys are pretty knowledgable. There are experts out there. If someone doesn't reply back with some specific experience I probably won't take the chance. I just hate to wait to receive another quart. I have only been able to buy on line.
Water-based Varnish
I used some about a dozen years ago and hated it to the point I stripped the entire salon and redid it. I avoided it like the plague. However, this year I had some touch up work to do on my salon stairs and a table. We have VOC regulations in our area so the only thing I could get locally in small cans was Helmsman water-based varnish. FYI: I was putting a semi-gloss on. Anyhow, it came out fine. It flowed OK and brushed out OK. The final product is indistinguishable from the oil base that was used before. It's a little weird since it's a bit milky out of the can and I wouldn't say it flows as well as an oil base, but it's OK.
I used some about a dozen years ago and hated it to the point I stripped the entire salon and redid it. I avoided it like the plague. However, this year I had some touch up work to do on my salon stairs and a table. We have VOC regulations in our area so the only thing I could get locally in small cans was Helmsman water-based varnish. FYI: I was putting a semi-gloss on. Anyhow, it came out fine. It flowed OK and brushed out OK. The final product is indistinguishable from the oil base that was used before. It's a little weird since it's a bit milky out of the can and I wouldn't say it flows as well as an oil base, but it's OK.
Re: Water-based Varnish
It'll be interesting to see how it stands up to the water that'll eventually (say definitely) will occur on the stairs. Please report back after you've been out when it's raining.
It'll be interesting to see how it stands up to the water that'll eventually (say definitely) will occur on the stairs. Please report back after you've been out when it's raining.
I know Stu..
...mine is a MkII. The PO had a leak in the aft cabin and the varnish came off. He probably let things go way too long though. I was able to remove the section of wood and bring it home to strip and refinish during the off season. Of course I know I applied more coats than the original. It looks great now. I think as long as you keep your boat in good order this stuff is ok. It has it's advantages too. You can apply the stuff in your house - almost no odor - recoat in 2 hours, great leveling qualities, water clean-up. Since my boat came with it I am kind of stuck with it.
I also refinished my ladder with this stuff. It gets wet all the time and it has held up well.
To be fair it probably doesn't look as good as real varnish but I would not want to work with real varnish in my cabin either. I am in the Great Lakes too. Who knows how well this stuff holds up in a really harsh environment.
...mine is a MkII. The PO had a leak in the aft cabin and the varnish came off. He probably let things go way too long though. I was able to remove the section of wood and bring it home to strip and refinish during the off season. Of course I know I applied more coats than the original. It looks great now. I think as long as you keep your boat in good order this stuff is ok. It has it's advantages too. You can apply the stuff in your house - almost no odor - recoat in 2 hours, great leveling qualities, water clean-up. Since my boat came with it I am kind of stuck with it.
I also refinished my ladder with this stuff. It gets wet all the time and it has held up well.
To be fair it probably doesn't look as good as real varnish but I would not want to work with real varnish in my cabin either. I am in the Great Lakes too. Who knows how well this stuff holds up in a really harsh environment.
Re: Water-based Varnish
Pat, I've always wondered if when that water stuff does come off whether simply applying teak oil to the unfinished teak would do the trick. That's what I suggested to my mate but he didn't listen (this particular guy never does!). We just use teak oil on our wood and it looks great after almost 22 years!
Pat, I've always wondered if when that water stuff does come off whether simply applying teak oil to the unfinished teak would do the trick. That's what I suggested to my mate but he didn't listen (this particular guy never does!). We just use teak oil on our wood and it looks great after almost 22 years!
Waterborne Varnish
Thanks Ross, looking more like I will order some new stuff on line tonight.
Stu, yes the oil might work although I have not tried it either. We had an 86 Catalina 30 with raw teak too and just oiled it once sometimes twice per season. Always looked good. I never considered varnish. Would not recommend it either. Better things to do with my time...like sail.
Thanks Ross, looking more like I will order some new stuff on line tonight.
Stu, yes the oil might work although I have not tried it either. We had an 86 Catalina 30 with raw teak too and just oiled it once sometimes twice per season. Always looked good. I never considered varnish. Would not recommend it either. Better things to do with my time...like sail.
Re: Waterborne Varnish
I agree, Pat. But the reason is not so much the work (once, done, the varnish needs NO work except dusting) but rather the look. "Shiny" down below is just something we do not like, although there are probably non-gloss finishes available now. We just like the warmth of the oiled wood.
I agree, Pat. But the reason is not so much the work (once, done, the varnish needs NO work except dusting) but rather the look. "Shiny" down below is just something we do not like, although there are probably non-gloss finishes available now. We just like the warmth of the oiled wood.
Never had a good experience with water based finishes.Easy to apply but the colour doesn't seem right and not as durable as oil based finishes.
If you use the thinned out "paste" it will most likely take a couple of weeks to dry and won't stand up to normal wear and tear.
If you use the thinned out "paste" it will most likely take a couple of weeks to dry and won't stand up to normal wear and tear.
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