Messed up my varnish

davidpm · #1 (**permalink**) 10-15-2008

I did the first coat on raw teak and the can said to dilute the varnish 50% for the first coat. This was a midnight job so I read that to be a ratio of 1 to 1. I did 4 Oz's of varnish to 4 Oz's of thinner.
I suspect I should have added 50% to the varnish, that is 4 Oz's varnish and 2 oz of thinner. Is that right?
I expect that my first super thin coat will dry eventually then I just continue like nothing happened yes?

The dangers of working the odd hours.

US27inKS · #2 (**permalink**) 10-15-2008

No sweat. The thinner should help it dry, if you used the right thinner for the varnish. You just want it to soak into the teak to help the next coat adhere better. Mission accomplished.

T37SOLARE · #3 (**permalink**) 10-16-2008

If you have the time to do it right, you actually did good. You want to seriously thin the first coats so the varnish can penetrate the wood for better adhesion. I would do another coat at 60% varnish to thinner then 80% and then a minimum of 4 coats of 90-100%. The next year you should do 2-4 coats, then you can get away with 1 coat a year, unless you in the tropics (then double everything!)

Omatako · #4 (**permalink**) 10-16-2008

My understanding of the relationship between varnish (or paint) is the more thinners used the quicker it dries. Thinners evaporates way quicker than paint so I'm not sure that it'll make the drying time longer.

sander06 · #5 (**permalink**) 10-16-2008

Lots of thin coats are better than one thick coat in terms of adhesion. Using MEK as a solvent will slow down the drying time while acetone will shorten.

sailaway21 · #6 (**permalink**) 10-16-2008

Be aware that varnish is very susceptible to humidity and temperature while drying. (It can drive you freakin' nuts!)

davidpm · #7 (**permalink**) 10-18-2008

I called Epiphany's and warned the guy I was about to ask the dumbest varnish question.
He confirmed that when they say on the can to "thin 50%" that means a ratio of 50% to 50% and when they say to thin 25% they mean a ratio of 75% to 25%.
Why they can't just say it that way on the can he didn't know.

bubb2 · #8 (**permalink**) 10-18-2008

Quote:

Originally Posted by davidpm

I called Epiphany's and warned the guy I was about to ask the dumbest varnish question.
He confirmed that when they say on the can to "thin 50%" that means a ratio of 50% to 50% and when they say to thin 25% they mean a ratio of 75% to 25%.
Why they can't just say it that way on the can he didn't know.

How does the varnish look?

xort · #9 (**permalink**) 10-19-2008

I'm using Flagship Varnish on toe rails and coaming. I'm about 25% down in the can, 3/4 full. What would be the consequences of filling the can back up with paint thinner, acetone or MEK? Will I miss having full strength varnish at some point?

davidpm · #10 (**permalink**) 10-20-2008

Quote:

Originally Posted by bubb2

How does the varnish look?

I just put on the second coat. It looks OK where I didn't mess up.

Since this was the coat that was supposed to sink in I just let the wet side touch some stickers so i could coat the other side.

This was a mistake as the stickers show but only for some of them. I sanded most of the sticker marks out but may have to sand some more if the second coat doesn't cover.
I'm purposely making all the mistakes with the hatch covers as they are so easy to work on in my basement.