Best varnish?

[Ann and David Brownlee]

What's now the best varnish for exterior use? We have several things that we keep in varnish rather than Cetol. We like a bit of warm coloration in varnish.

Ann and David Brownlee
CD 31 #1 "Windrush"
Havre de Grace, Maryland



dbrownle@sas.upenn.edu

[Bill Collins]

We have been using Z-Spar on Finally our CD30MKII since she was commissioned in 1989. She was initially finished with nine coats and has two coats added yearly. She continually is admired where ever we sail (Great Lakes). I had canvas covers made for the cockpit, handrails and Dorade boxes to minimize UV damage. Contact me directly for any further questions. I think there is not much difference between the top marine spar varnish manufacturers; however, there is no comparison between high quality varnished bright work and any other finish. After the initial work, the maintainance is not that time consuming.



bill.collins@delphiauto.com

[Gerry/BarracudaCD25]

A year and a half ago I washed and sanded my bare dirty moldy teak inside and out then applied 6-7 coats of Epifanes high gloss varnish. Twice a year I lightly sand with 150-220 and apply two coats sanding between. Looks great and really brings out the grain. Not that much work for a beautiful effect. Epifanes gives a reddish hue where as Interlux Schooner which I 've used on other projects gives a golden hue. Both wonderful products. Don't forget for ease of application and to help eliminate brush marks and bubbles I thin 50% with mineral spirits. Always remove from your can to another can. Never put a brush in your original container or return the unused portion(keep it in a jar for the next coat). Use a bristle brush on bare wood as it flows easier. Then final coats with new foam brushes(wood handle) have worked well. Good luck

[John]

I had used Cetol for the past two years on my Typhoon and still needed to redo it in the fall. This winter I built a Chesapeake Light Craft pram and they strongly recommended using ZSpar Captain's Varnish. I have brushed on the first two of five coats and I really like the way it flows on and especially the way it looks. After this summer, if the Cetol has not held up remarkably better than the varnish, I will be sanding off the Cetol and redoing it in varnish.

What's now the best varnish for exterior use? We have several things that we keep in varnish rather than Cetol. We like a bit of warm coloration in varnish.

Ann and David Brownlee
CD 31 #1 "Windrush"
Havre de Grace, Maryland

branchedoakmarina@alltel.net

[BobM]

We have been using Z-Spar on Finally our CD30MKII since she was commissioned in 1989. She was initially finished with nine coats and has two coats added yearly. She continually is admired where ever we sail (Great Lakes). I had canvas covers made for the cockpit, handrails and Dorade boxes to minimize UV damage. Contact me directly for any further questions. I think there is not much difference between the top marine spar varnish manufacturers; however, there is no comparison between high quality varnished bright work and any other finish. After the initial work, the maintainance is not that time consuming.

=========================================


Goodluck Bill I hope it works out but if experience
tells me anything you'll be back to cetol by this time
next year.

Bob



ranger1442@hotmail.com

[Jim Westpfahl]

All varnish is not created equal. Just take a read of the evaluations conducted over the year in Practical Sailor. As I recall Captains and Scooner were rated as most likely to withstand time and exposure to UV and weather. I love Scooner. Applied 7 coats initially and really light sanding each season and addition of two easy coats maintains an outstanding look. I've been tempted to try the other products, but get turned off by their less than best appearance either from the get-go or the following season. Take a look in Practical Sailor, sailor!
Here's to an early launch this spring.

Jim Westpfahl
'85 CD25D- Belladonna



JamesW7644@AOL.COM

[sloopjohnl]

Captain's has been my favorite for a dozen years. will last two to three years uncovered and untouched if not abused. initial application is important - first coat cut 50/50 with spirits, second coat cut 30%, third coat 20%, fourth coat 10%, final three or four coats straight varnish with light sanding in between each coat.
happy brushing!

All varnish is not created equal. Just take a read of the evaluations conducted over the year in Practical Sailor. As I recall Captains and Scooner were rated as most likely to withstand time and exposure to UV and weather. I love Scooner. Applied 7 coats initially and really light sanding each season and addition of two easy coats maintains an outstanding look. I've been tempted to try the other products, but get turned off by their less than best appearance either from the get-go or the following season. Take a look in Practical Sailor, sailor!
Here's to an early launch this spring.

Jim Westpfahl
'85 CD25D- Belladonna

[Carl Jones]

We have been using Z-Spar on Finally our CD30MKII since she was commissioned in 1989. She was initially finished with nine coats and has two coats added yearly. She continually is admired where ever we sail (Great Lakes). I had canvas covers made for the cockpit, handrails and Dorade boxes to minimize UV damage. Contact me directly for any further questions. I think there is not much difference between the top marine spar varnish manufacturers; however, there is no comparison between high quality varnished bright work and any other finish. After the initial work, the maintainance is not that time consuming.

=========================================


Goodluck Bill I hope it works out but if experience
tells me anything you'll be back to cetol by this time
next year.

Bob

P.S. Cetol is not varnish.
Best Regards,
Carl Jones
s/v Spanish Eyes, CD30, Gulf Coast Fleet



GreatCells@aol.com

[Chip]

Cetol isn't varnish, but it is the best product for the job.
I swear by the stuff, so does Practical Sailor.
Reasonable cost, great durability, low maintenance, great appearance, many compliments. The best of the bunch.
- Chip

We have been using Z-Spar on Finally our CD30MKII since she was commissioned in 1989. She was initially finished with nine coats and has two coats added yearly. She continually is admired where ever we sail (Great Lakes). I had canvas covers made for the cockpit, handrails and Dorade boxes to minimize UV damage. Contact me directly for any further questions. I think there is not much difference between the top marine spar varnish manufacturers; however, there is no comparison between high quality varnished bright work and any other finish. After the initial work, the maintainance is not that time consuming.

=========================================


Goodluck Bill I hope it works out but if experience
tells me anything you'll be back to cetol by this time
next year.

Bob

P.S. Cetol is not varnish.
Best Regards,
Carl Jones
s/v Spanish Eyes, CD30, Gulf Coast Fleet

chipgavin@alum.colby.edu