Tropical-sun and UV-resistant clear finish

[carioca1232001]

The cabin soles as well as the stern and bow decks on my boat are mahogany with pin-striped white wood ("marfim", ivory).

The enclosed cabin soles with the original 2-part clear polyurethane finish on bare wood has held out extremely well over the last 5 years.

No such luck with the stern and bow deck areas. The 2-part poly had cracked, discoloured and was peeling off in flakes, so it was sanded off completely.

3-5 coats of clear Cetol were then applied on the bare wood and it all looked rather nice until the sun took its toll.

The decks have since darkened considerably and the pin-stripe "marfim" has blended in with the mahogany. Quite indistinguishable, really.

Does someone know of a clear finish that will stand up to tropical sunshine and UV rays, day after day, and yet allow for a yearly/bi-yearly maintenance coat ?

Thanks

[Old Bingey]

I have had good luck with this: http://www.bristolfinish.com/

It is easy to apply and can be recoated immediately and lasts much longer than anything I have tried. Maintenance is easy, too... just a scrubbing with a Scotch Brite pad and a new coat. I advise an undercoat of solventless epoxy under it, though. It is a two part acrylic/polyurethane and that stuff always looks and lasts better on epoxy.

[carioca1232001]

Thank you for suggesting Bristol Finish.

I had heard about this product in the literature, but your first-hand experience is what is important

It is, however, priced somewhat higher than its competitors, as I suppose it lasts much longer and is easier to maintain.

The big problem though will be shipping it down to Rio. Air shipment has to be ruled out.

Thanks again.

[ssor]

I am writting from the memory of a report that I read some time ago about a problem like this.As a remedy, that sailor had laid a fine weave piece of fiberglass in epoxy with a light coat of epoxy on top. He said that it looked great but that he varnished it to protect the epoxy from the UV.The epoxy/fiberglass protected the wood and everything stayed pretty.

[carioca1232001]

....that sailor had laid a fine weave piece of fiberglass in epoxy with a light coat of epoxy on top . He said that it looked great but that he varnished it to protect the epoxy from the UV. Would seem to make for a tougher barrier than just epoxy on its own.

Is this fine weave obtainable in the shops, or is it produced by pulling it away from a thicker weave of fibreglass mat ?

Again, would it be important to have it in one whole piece to cover a deck, or would pieces, laid side-by-side and then epoxied over, fare equally well and not leave tell-tale signs ?

After all, it has to look nice once you are done ;)

[ssor]

I found some recently on Ebay. It has the texture and appearance of heavy nylon coat fabric, I haven't counted but I would guess about thirty threads per inch in each direction. I bought some. It won't be wasted. It was only USD.89 per yard. It wets out completely clear and is about 4 feet wide. Laid up it is .010 inches thick.

[carioca1232001]

I tried to get back yesterday but for my computer.

Browsing through Defender´s catalogue, they have sheathing 2 oz. and angel hair 1 oz. for between US$ 1-2 per yd. That should do it.