24th Nov 2020
Cosmetically appealing decorative woods are a personal favourite of ours on boats. We get asked many a time how to varnish a boat, so let's take a deeper look into the subject.
As with anything, varnishes require regular (yearly or bi-yearly) maintenance to keep them looking their best. Varnishes protect woods around your boat and in some cases can restore old, tired woods, giving them a new lease of life.
We typically recommend that you varnish your boat late Spring/early Summer where there is little dew and temperatures are more consistent, as this will enable the varnish to dry properly.
How To Varnish A Wooden Boat
Varnishing a wooden boat can be very time consuming - but when done right, some incredible results can be achieved. Below is a short guide that will provide you with an insight into the process of varnishing a wooden boat.
When it comes to varnishes, there is plenty of choice as different varnishes offer different levels of protection. Whether for example that be International’s Compass Varnish that offers a tough, polyurethane finish with protection against surface scratches, or Deks Olije Saturating Oil that provides superb protection to soft and hardwoods.
Preparation:
As many have once said, the art of varnishing is 70-90% in the preparation as any divots, dirt or surface unevenness will be clearly visible in the finished coat. For the best results, make sure the wood is as smooth, even and scratch-free as possible.
Application:
Before applying any new varnish, make sure that there is little dew, moisture, or humidity in the air, as this can cause uncured varnishes to dull. The best day for application is a dull, overcast day with the temperature around 15-20C.
If you are applying the varnish to previously untreated wood, thin the first coat by up to 50% to enable the varnish to really soak into the wood and adhere well to the surface. It will also dry faster and make it easier to sand sooner.
If you are applying the varnish to previously varnished wood, sand the varnish to an even key and then put a coat on that has been thinned to around 10-15%.
After each coat, you must sand the wood to ensure the next coat to adhere. Whilst doing this, you will want to sand away as little of your previous coat as possible. If little work is required, use 320 grit sandpaper – if it requires some smoothing, use 220. Use a tack rag to remove any dust before applying the next coat. We typically recommend that you leave the varnish to dry for 24 hours before sanding and applying another coat.
Thin each proceeding coat (we typically recommend around seven or eight) by around 5-10%. If thinned correctly, your brush will effortlessly deliver a uniformed layer to the surface. It is important to try and work fast, without going over previous strokes where the varnish will be thicker.
Conclusion
So there you have it, a brief guide into the process of varnishing a boat. If you have any questions on the points mentioned above, our expert team are here to help. You can call us on 01634 295 233, email customerservices@piratescave.co.uk or visit our Rochester store.
We have an excellent range of Yacht Varnishes including clear varnish, gloss varnish and satin varnish - all sourced from industry leading brands including Epifanes, Owatrol and International, so if you are looking for the right varnish for your next job, you’ve come to the right place.
Sources:Classic Boat
Jones Boatyard
Wooden Boat
