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How many coats is enough?

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varnish
2K views 8 replies 7 participants last post by  Faster 
#1 ·
After stripping and sanding down to the bare wood, followed up with a good TSP cleaning, I plan on using honeyteak Clear on my interior. I admit I'm totally new to varnishing and have been getting a lot of useful advice from Tom at honeyteak on how to do it. However the question still unanswered is how many coats should be used on the interior?

Having six windows and semi-clear hatches, I get plenty of filtered sunlight in most of the cabin, with a lot of direct sunlight near the galley, and the companion/entry way.

I've heard everything from 2 to 10 coats, and so thought I would check with you good people to get your opinion.

Thanks in advance!
 

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#2 ·
Follow Tom's advice. Two factors suggest that it will not be too many coats. Honey Teak is not varnish and it is inside.
 
#3 ·
Follow Tom's advice.
Thanks for such a quick reply! Tom wasn't sure ... stating it would have a lot to do with how much sunlight it gets. I tried to explain the various amounts it gets, but it seems some things might have gotten lost in translation. So while he was super helpful on the techniques and materials needed to get it done, he really couldn't add much as to how many coats should be used.
 
#4 ·
How much time do you have, and how much more do you want to spend? I'm not familiar with Honeyteak, so take my suggestion with a grain of salt, but since it's an interior I'd probably do 3 or 4 coats for most of the vertical surfaces and see how that looks/wears. I'd probably do at least 5 or 6 on the floor, tables, and some of the trim that will be bumped, rubbed, etc.
 
#6 ·
The HONEY TEAK System is a two step, catalyzed acrylic urethane enamel coating - from the Honey Teak website. Signature Finish and Honey Teak Products - Honey Teak
I'm not really sure WHAT you would use to thin this finish as you would with varnish. I'm also not sure IF it is even recommended to thin this 2 part urethane product.

Read the label thoroughly before using.

I have used Bristol Finish, which is also a 2 part urethane clear finish and I can tell you that it has a very strong smell, like nail polish, and it is not extremely easy to apply (unlike Cetol which is pretty forgiving).

If Honey Teak is similar to Bristol Finish (and I think it is) the instructions will recommend a total of around 8 coats. Keep in mind that this recommendation is for exterior wood and the wood inside your cabin does not have to put up with nearly as much weather as your exterior wood. Therefore, I'm with jimgo and I say build up around 4 or 5 coats and see how you like the look. For high traffic areas you might consider going with the max # of coats.

Have fun with your Honey Teak!
 
#9 ·
The more coats you use and the better finish you attain will lead to a richer look.. but you will not have the UV and natural exposure of outside finishes... 2 or 3 coats should do it if the wood's nicely prepped; probably the further you go the nicer the result (but at a cost in time and money)
 
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