Applying Perfection 2 part varnish to new cabinb sole - sand or not?

[Northeaster]

I am applying Interlux Perfection 2 part polyU varnish to a new Teak and Holly sole. In their prep advice, it states to sand with 80 grit!! I do not think I should sand the new, thin veneer with 80 grit! Should I lightly sand it with 120, or 220 to get some "tooth"??
I have read that teak needs a lower grit, because of the oils, but i don't want to go too far!!!

Thoughts????

[sailingfool]

My thought is that you should use Welcome to Ultimate Marine Products, Inc instead, it is after all one of the very few Sailnet-Members-Approved products. It is very easy to work with, and you endup with a non-slick but glossy finish. My concern with varnish is that the surface would end up slick.

If you insist on using Perfection, you would follow their directions, when they say sand, they would mean only a superfial pass that opens the surface but doesn't remove much material.

[camaraderie]

I agree with the Ultimate Sole recommendation and can't understand why you'd use a slick 2 part on a sole.
You say it is a new teak and holly sole. Does that mean completely unfinished? Assuming so, I would use NO Heavier than 200 grit no matter what you are applying since the teak and holly is likely no more than 6-8mm thick on top of plywood. Sand VERY lightly if needed at all. Then apply some sanding sealer after wiping with a tack cloth.
The Hardware Aisle: Sanding sealer: Varnish's undercover agent

Then apply your finish.

[sailingdog]

Got to agree with SF and Cam... Ultimate sole is the way to go. Much lower maintenance than a 2-part varnish... Also, not slippery when wet as I recall.

[Northeaster]

Hi folks,

thanks for the advice. I am not using Ultimate sole, as it is ultimately unavailable at the local marine stores (their words). I would have made plans to get it elsewhere, but decided quickly to put down the new sole, so I didn't have time to wait for mail order, etc.

The perfection is not regular varnish - it is a 2 part ployU varnish. The local shops said it was waht they would recommend, and it very durable.

The can did say to sand with 80 - 120 grit on new wood. I did scuff it with the 120, as I was off the net, and didn't see your advice. Could only put on 1 coat (thinned) as the forecast was for humid weather after that. Will now sand with 220, in between the next 4 (or so) coats. Looks good so far.

I am concerned with not having it too slippery, but am not sure if there is anything that can be done about that!!

[NOLAsailing]

Yes, it will be too slippery. You have an obligation to those on your boat to keep them safe and I would strongly encourage you to reconsider. You can order the stuff online and it will be there in a couple days. Also, it can be applied over your existing finish. Stop with the current application and lay down a couple coats of Ultimate Sole.

[Northeaster]

Jason,

I do appreciate the advice!!! But I do have a question. What did people use before the "Ultimate sole" product??

I read a post, a few weeks ago on the Cruiser forum, where a couple of Australian sailors had never heard of it. What are they using on their boats?? And is it inherently unsafe?

Mail order form the US to Canada can also involve lengthy delays for customs / taxes at the border, so unless I can find a Canadian supplier, it may be difficault to get the Ultinate Sole!

[Freesail99]

I would have made plans to get it elsewhere, but decided quickly to put down the new sole, so I didn't have time to wait for mail order, etc.

I don't know where you live, but just about anything that I order that was in stock comes within 2 days. Most of the suppliers I use are on the east coast.

[Northeaster]

Freesail - I live near Halifax, Nova Scotia. As mentioned in my last post, I have heard that having items shipped from the US to Canada can mean delays at the border, and added costs such as taxes, duties, and often custom brokerage fees.
A friend of mine bough a set of car jumper cables on ebay for approx $15, and it was about $60 total, at his door!!

[Faster]

I did have Ultimate Sole shipped from the US and it did cost a bit more (near $100/quart after taxes/broker fees) But I did get it in a couple of days and honestly it was worth it. Today you'll get a better deal with the improved dollar.

Very pleased with the results, despite the extra cost. If you decide to go this route, look into what UPS calls "expedited shipping". I was informed (unfortunately after the fact) that that would have included customs fees and would have worked out less costly overall.