Stain under varnish

[Jack Baker]

I am in the middle of refinishing a H-28, have removed many years of accumulated varnish with heat gun/scraper/sanding. Most of the trim is mahogony which had a reddish stain applied under the varnish. I have quite a few hours of prep into removing the finishes and I keep going back and forth over re-staining or not.

I applied one coat of a Minwax gel stain on part of the interior with apparent good results. Can't find any specific reference to indicate if it will cause adhesion problems with the varnish.

I am using Interlux Goldspar, gloss for exterior satin for interior.

Words of wisdom?

[Jack Baker]

No need to reply. I found a number of helpful threads that address this question.

[Bob Cleek]

Chicken! LOL

[Vindo Joe]

Jack,

I'm finishing my boat with Minwax gel stain and it seems to be comming out just fine. I checked with the company and they indicated that the pigment is OK for outdoor exposure.

As for adhesion, I've overcoated the stain with CPES and time will tell if it holds up.

Joe

[Concordia..41]

Joe - I love the Minwax gel stain.

You will also find that the Minwax gel works over the varnish too. A large area I'd probably stain first for uniformity, but the last couple of projects I've taken to bare wood - cockpit coaming for instance - I've CPES'd, put on sealer coats, Minwax gel'd light spots, then varnished build up coats.

Enjoy!

- M

[On Vacation]

The minwax satin is about as durable as anything inside I have ever used. I have some on my dining table that is about ten years old and has never been redone.