varnish questions

daddyhobbit · #1 (**permalink**) 10-15-2009

I am sure this topic has been beaten to death. We have a lot of bright work to be varinished on our boat. I was thinking of Epifanes but now I am not sure. The boat is in serious need of refinishing and I would like to do the best for her. West Marine sells their own brand made by Epifanes it is less expensive but is it as good. What is the general consensus I know the old adage about you get what you pay for. SO should I use that as my barometer?
Thanks
Jim
on SV Osprey
Saint Thomas VI

danjarch · #2 (**permalink**) 10-15-2009

In my opinion, you don't need to go all out on the most expensive varnish. That is usually done with the idea that spending so much on varnish will buy you more time between coats. But in the end, the best plan is to but a fresh coat on every year or two. I've used the best and the cheapest. I find the middle works good and you really don't get any more bang for the buck paying more.

I've even had good results with the cheaper brand at Lowes, but I don't really recommend that brand.

VirtualVagabond · #3 (**permalink**) 12-22-2009

Take a look at MAS Epoxies site. In their video section they do a demo on Bob Bitchin's Lost Soul (Atts and Lats). The company ceo claims that his epoxy applied the way he demos and followed up with clear auto laquer gets you 10 years!!!
I would love to hear from someone who's actually got experience with it.
Vic

tager · #4 (**permalink**) 12-22-2009

Yea right. There is no chance you would get ten years.

petmac · #5 (**permalink**) 12-22-2009

Quote:

Originally Posted by daddyhobbit

I am sure this topic has been beaten to death. We have a lot of bright work to be varinished on our boat. I was thinking of Epifanes but now I am not sure. The boat is in serious need of refinishing and I would like to do the best for her. West Marine sells their own brand made by Epifanes it is less expensive but is it as good. What is the general consensus I know the old adage about you get what you pay for. SO should I use that as my barometer?
Thanks
Jim
on SV Osprey
Saint Thomas VI

I've been using Epifanes. Used their fast build wood finish that does not require sanding between coats for the first six coats. After that,applied two more coats of their original varnish sanding between coats. Total of eight coats the first year. Have been applying a maintenance coat of two coats of varnish each fall. It's been four years and the finish is holding up well. Down south you'd probably want to apply a couple of coats of varnish at minimum every 4-5 months.
I used Cetol on my previous boat for over 10 years but didn't really like it's appearance after a couple of years of build up. Three initial coats and then every year an annual coat. I've used Cetol natural on the teak seats in the cockpit of my current boat and have been quite happy with it. Doesn't have the orange tinge of the old Cetol and is quite close in color to the varnished teak.
Good luck.

T37Chef · #6 (**permalink**) 12-22-2009

Petmac, your boat is beautiful, WOW.

One note I would add, Cetol has a new product, Cetol Natural and Cetol Gloss. Using these two together you avoid that orange build up that the original Cetol caused.

I am using three different teak care products, Epifanes on the wheel, cockpit table, Cetol Natural & Gloss on the toe rail, companion way, and dorades, and Semco Natural Teak Sealer on the cockpit seats.

petmac · #7 (**permalink**) 12-22-2009

Quote:

Originally Posted by T37Chef

Petmac, your boat is beautiful, WOW.

One note I would add, Cetol has a new product, Cetol Natural and Cetol Gloss. Using these two together you avoid that orange build up that the original Cetol caused.

I am using three different teak care products, Epifanes on the wheel, cockpit table, Cetol Natural & Gloss on the toe rail, companion way, and dorades, and Semco Natural Teak Sealer on the cockpit seats.

Thanks. I use Cetol Natural without the gloss on my teak seats and cockpit grate. I like it. I have seen Cetol Natural and Gloss on other boats and I like it. Cetol is a great product.

braidmike · #8 (**permalink**) 12-22-2009

Maybe one usually overlooked fact: The cost of the varnish is an amazingly low percentage of the cost of keeping up the brightwork even doing all the work yourself. I think WM sells Epiphanes for around $37/qt, with an incredible amount of woodwork, starting from bare wood, a 35 foot boat 'may' use 2 quarts. Compared to Home Depot for around $10/qt: makes the total savings $52. Now, I would not throw away a perfectly good $50 bill, but in context it's not much. Decent brushes, thinner, sandpaper easily will eat up $100. If you count labor... (sorry, I can't count that high).

Love the pix you guys post.

VirtualVagabond · #9 (**permalink**) 12-22-2009

Quote:

Originally Posted by tager

Yea right. There is no chance you would get ten years.

Well that's hardly an open minded voice of experience with the product!
I'm as skeptical as you are, that's why I'm interested to find out if anyone has put his claims to the test.
Imagine if he really has something.

By the way those are magnificent brightwork shots. I'd want to keep it in a glass cabinet.

Fitz87 · #10 (**permalink**) 12-23-2009

I'm replacing a couple of pieces of teak around the companionway and bought epifanes varnish and a good brush. After the first coat I came back the next day to sand it and it was still tacky. It's a bit cool around here, maybe 50's during the day and 40 at night. Am I doing something wrong? Should I wait for warmer weather?