Longest lasting varnish

[Pub911]

Can someone give me some direction or point me to a thread here that's a trustworthy source of information to help me purchase the right varnish? I'm refinishing all my brightwork and want to be sure I'm using the best product. Yes, I know that prep and process are more important arguable, but I really just am asking about the product at this point. I want a clear varnish for my exterior teak. I don't mean Cetol or similar. I want a highgloss finish that will last as long as possible without going to one of those products that changes the natural color of the wood. Thank you!

[Barquito]

Any varnish will require attention. Could spend more time/money to cover some things with sunbrella cover. Epiphane gets good reviews. Some like to epoxy the wood first. But, the varnish will still flake off of that.

[poopdeckpappy]

Epifanes wood finish gloss it great stuff, it builds fast and barely adds color ( if at all ). I have also used it with a cetol traditional base ( 3 coats ) and 5 coat of Epifanes wood finish gloss..................I like it either way

[Exile1]

Bristol Finish is a 2-part urethane varnish that leaves a very tough, durable, mirror-like finish. The nice part is that, after the first coat, you don't need to sand in-b'twn coats so long as you apply anytime within 24 hours. The downside is cost, along with it's fumes. You might want to wear one of those heavy-duty carbon filter masks.

Epifanes also makes a high-gloss exterior varnish that claims to eliminate the need for sanding in b'twn coats. Anybody know if this turns out as well as the traditional Epifanes high-gloss?

[KeelHaulin]

Cetol Marine Natural Teak provides a nice color and top-coating with the Cetol Marine Gloss gives the beautiful gloss finish and a 1-2 year maintenance coat interval.

[RichH]

Suggest you consider Honey Teak a two part base plus two part clear. The base has a deep amber hue that quickly fades to the equivalency of a prime amber oil based varnish. If applied 'thick' can last upwards of 12 years but needs a quick clear coat maintenance yearly in strong UV ... just scuff and slop it on as it has excellent leveling characteristics; or, double coat and then power buff in the intervening year. Expensive and high learning curve but amortizes to be the cheapest and least maintenance over time (10-12 years).

Since its essentially a copolymer of urethane and acrylic, can be flat sanded and power-buffed to the 'most dazzling gloss' possible. Since its catalyzed, can apply wet on wet 3 coats in the same day, conditions permitting. Goes on best in cool weather - for better flow-out. (Am former 'varnish-a-holic).

Signature Finish and Honey Teak Products - Home

[poopdeckpappy]

Originally Posted by Exile1

.

Epifanes also makes a high-gloss exterior varnish that claims to eliminate the need for sanding in b'twn coats. Anybody know if this turns out as well as the traditional Epifanes high-gloss?

The Epifanes I'm using now is a fast build high gloss wood finish that can be recoated within 72hrs with no sanding

[poopdeckpappy]

Originally Posted by RichH

Suggest you consider Honey Teak a two part base plus two part clear. The base has a deep amber hue that quickly fades to the equivalency of a prime amber oil based varnish. If applied 'thick' can last upwards of 12 years but needs a quick clear coat maintenance yearly in strong UV ... just scuff and slop it on as it has excellent leveling characteristics; or, double coat and then power buff in the intervening year. Expensive and high learning curve but amortizes to be the cheapest and least maintenance over time (10-12 years).

Since its essentially a copolymer of urethane and acrylic, can be flat sanded and power-buffed to the 'most dazzling gloss' possible. Since its catalyzed, can apply wet on wet 3 coats in the same day, conditions permitting. Goes on best in cool weather - for better flow-out. (Am former 'varnish-a-holic).

Signature Finish and Honey Teak Products - Home

Damn

[Minnewaska]

Classic question and one without a perfect answer. You have some good suggestions already, but like most things, there are pros and cons to each.

This might help us narrow down your choices. Is it a do-it-yourself project? How much time do you have: unlimited, weekends only, etc? Can you do it indoors or will you have to time the weather? Is cost an issue? We know less cost is always better, but are you willing to pay up for a professional job or do you want the best DIY process?

[FishSticks]

As for conventional spar varnish, Pettit's Flagship is a good choice.