Removing Spar Varnish

[Bonnie Gilmore]

The gorgeous teak companionway steps on Southern Cross were in serious need of refinishing, so we removed them and out came the heat gun. Unlike traditional varnish, the spar varnish did not bubble and curl, but got marginally gummy and was easily burned. The Porter Cable orbital sander took a good 20 minutes per side/slat/step, even with 40 grit paper. Obviously, the spar (type - not brand) is more a durable stain than topical varnish - a good news/bad news situation. Today at lunch I took the 1/4 finished steps to a local refinishing shop and was informed that you can't chemically remove spar. As I was willing to pay any price to have this done (spent all day yesterday for my little bit of success), I was more than a little frustrated. But - these guys are not marine experts, and I can't help but think that there must be some nasty and caustic stuff I could use to remove at least some of this. Any thoughts?



biglmore@ci.santa-rosa.ca.us

[Fred]

The gorgeous teak companionway steps on Southern Cross were in serious need of refinishing, so we removed them and out came the heat gun. Unlike traditional varnish, the spar varnish did not bubble and curl, but got marginally gummy and was easily burned. The Porter Cable orbital sander took a good 20 minutes per side/slat/step, even with 40 grit paper. Obviously, the spar (type - not brand) is more a durable stain than topical varnish - a good news/bad news situation. Today at lunch I took the 1/4 finished steps to a local refinishing shop and was informed that you can't chemically remove spar. As I was willing to pay any price to have this done (spent all day yesterday for my little bit of success), I was more than a little frustrated. But - these guys are not marine experts, and I can't help but think that there must be some nasty and caustic stuff I could use to remove at least some of this. Any thoughts?

Use 5f5 paint stripper. Put it on as thick as you can, and wrap it in plastic as soon as you apply it. Let it set for an hour or so... Then scrape it with a hook type paint scraper. (red devil etc.) NOT a putty knife. Be sure and read the label on the paint stripper, its rather nasty stuff. Do it outside, wear gloves, off the boat. It will also eat gelcoat.... I use cut up plastic garbage bags to wrap the pieces up that i strip. The key is to use plastic to keep the solvents from evaporating. Did I mention to be sure and read the label?? good luck

[M. R. Bober]

Is 5f5 still available? I haven't seen it in several years. I wondered if the Surgeon General had read the label. It is really nasty. One thing is certain, if 5f5 won't strip it you will need a planer. Don't let any fall on anything you want to keep. Use many plies of newpaper to protect the work area. 5f5 eats plastic drop cloths.
Mitchell Bober
RESPITE
CD330



thebobers@erols.com