To varnish or not to varnish

[TimH]

That is the question.

Its 46 degrees out
I have no Japan drier
Teak is all sanded and taped off
Boat is under a Costco tent
Its raining
This will be the first coat of thinned Captains varnish

[TimH]

Sometimes you have to wait a while for that first response to a new thread, then everyone starts chiming in :)

[Ted Hoppe]

Can you set up canvas or put tyvek sides on your tent?

I'd then be tempted to do that plus a small space heater on an apple box and a 100 watt light bulb just below the peak of the tent. It would go far to dehumidify the air. Vent and fume control should be observed. I have done this with an easy up and plastic sheeting with reasonable success.

[Michael D. Storey]

Am I jus makin trouble when I say that as the finish dries and lowers the temperature of the surface (latent heat of evaporation an all that) moisture will be encouraged to condense on the new finish?

[TimH]

It is an enclosed tent. Not quite air tight though.

http://i477.photobucket.com/albums/rr133/hoehnt/IMG_39544.jpg

[Ted Hoppe]

Two 100 watt bulbs would raise the temp to nearly 60 and dehumidify nicely. A small heater with a fan could made that into a dry sauna.

[TimH]

Hmm. Guess I will try it.

[John B]

I'm not sure how you're going to be able to get the bugs to come in and land on it at this time of the year though Tim.... maybe something deadish in the corner or inside the house( there's an idea) ... plus a bit of cultivation .Perhaps that'll work?

[Clive P]

Not knowing where Whidbey Island sits, I'm tempted to ask, Is that 46' C in Oz or 46'F in Main? Good luck anyhow. Clive P

[David G]

Tim,

I've done contract varnish work is this weather, with less protection than you've rigged. Part of the decision comes down to what level of varnish job you're trying to achieve. For us, it was a case of needing to get some protection on asap, and not being all that concerned with a show-quality finish. Doing it now has its hazards. Long open times means more opportunity for crap to fall into the still tacky surface. Condensation can lead to some interesting Special Effects. Wind-blown rain, even more so.

You've probably considered all the alternatives to proceeding immediately with varnish -- Doing nothing till Spring. A couple coats of CPES. A couple coats of Daly's Sea-Fin(or similar).

Whatever you decide, G'luck!

[Larks]

It is an enclosed tent. Not quite air tight though.

http://i477.photobucket.com/albums/rr133/hoehnt/IMG_39544.jpg

Tim, don't look now but someones pinched your boat:eek:.

[Jay Greer]

I have even vanished in the rain with a canvas over the work. But, for the first two coats, I use Jet Speed that is cut with #8 thinner.
Jay

[JimConlin]

Am I jus makin trouble when I say that as the finish dries and lowers the temperature of the surface (latent heat of evaporation an all that) moisture will be encouraged to condense on the new finish?
Yes. And there's trouble enough already.

[TimH]

First coat is on. Thinned about 30% - 35%. I closed the front flap and ran my portable propane heater for a couple hours. Its fairly warm in there now.

I would never try a final coat in this weather, but whats a guy to do? Need to get back in the water :)

I am going to order some Japan drier.

[BBSebens]

Your braver than I am. I would have waited. but with the winter we're having, a nice 60 degree day isn't far away.

[TimH]

it was 60 a couple of weeks ago :)

[TimH]

Now I did it.

The coat from last night was 95% soaked in/dry and it was sunny out 45 degrees. So I put another coat on.

Now its freezing cold out.

[outofthenorm]

No problem Tim. The first couple of coats are pretty forgiving. As long as you're above freezing and it's not actually raining right on it, it'll be fine. You'll be sanding after the third or fourth coat anyway I'd presume.

- Norm

[TimH]

yea. Usually a quick sand after the second, then sand the heck out of the others (8 - 10 total ) to get a flat finish.

[TimH]

Just put on the 3rd coat. Mixedd in some Japan drier this time.

I ended up with a little left over so I put some aluminum foil on top with a couple of rubber bands and put it in the refridgerator. Will it be good tomorrow? Ive never used Japan drier before.