Ten Coats of Varnish in a Weekend!?!

[rustnrot]

I needed a better attention-getter headline. As explained below:

I am looking for any testimonials about this product, the Awlspar spar varnish. US Paint, makers of Awl products, claim recoating within 3-4 hours, maximum of 24 hours without sanding. I was considering Epifanes Woodfinish Gloss but it appears more expensive and requires minimum recoat of 24 hours; maximum without sanding of 72 hours.

In other words, can I really, with 2 buddies and some beer, put 10 coats on over a long weekend?

[Concordia..41]

Only if you're working on three different boats!

Someone can explain it better, but no matter what product or what magic the product claims [unless you're using a two part - which is another set of issues] the underlying coats ARE continuing to dry and doing their molecular thing AND as you apply successive coats you impact the drying and thus the chemistry.

You've got a project under construction so you're probably in a shed or enclosure so you won't have so many weather issues as most of us, but let's say you have a good-size varnish project. Cockpit coaming and toe rail or cabin sides, etc. - something fairly good size, but not an entire boat. If you've got new wood, go directly to Day 8. OK, Day 9 since you've CPES'd.

Time line:

Days 1-5 - Wash and chamois boat, tape and sand
Day 6 - Off
Day 7 - Go back over your sanding - in a fresh light you'll find areas that need more attention GUARENTEED! Wash and chamois boat, re-tape
Day 8 - CPES - one or two coats, your choice - I usually do two
Day 9 - First coat of varnish thinned per instructions on can applied in the morning; second thinned coat applied in afternoon
Day 10 - Third coat [full strength] applied in the morning
Day 11 - Off
Day 12 - Afternoon - light sand - rinse boat
Day 13 - Fourth coat applied in am; fifth coat applied in afternoon
Day 14 - Sixth coat applied in am [this is marginal for a lot of you - use your own judgment - we're in Florida and I get good drying overnight with 80 degree temps]
Day 15 - Off
Day 16 - Off
Day 17 - Light sand and rinse
Day 18 - Apply two coats if possible
Day 19 - Apply ninth coat
Day 20 - Off
Day 21 - Off
Day 22 - Off
Day 23 - Light sand and rinse
Day 24 - Apply two coats if possible

Now you're getting close to 12 coats and looking toward the final coats at this stage. I take my time, sand and varnish when the weather and my attitude are right and don't worry if it takes another week or so to get 3-4 more coats applied.

According to the Wittman Way - you were supposed to pull the tape and re-tape about half way through the varnish process, but I haven't found that makes a bit of difference. After a couple of days in the Florida sun, even the 3M long life tape's left residue. She does have a point though about pulling tape and lifting the varnish edge. Anywhere the varnish has built up on the tape edge, before pulling the tape I run a razor blade or Exacto knife along the edge of the tape.

Happy varnishing! :D

P.S. - Having looked at the picture of your boat ( :D too cool! :D ) and the U.S. Paint info on Awl- Spar http://www.uspaint.com/awlspar.html and Awl-Brite http://www.uspaint.com/awlbrite.html I've thought about the following -

Although they discuss the quick building of coats with the Awl-Spar, if you look at the Awl-Brite (top coat) stuff they recommend letting the Awl-Spar cure 72 hours ... There's a clear admission that there's still curing going on with the underlying coats.

Do you have the ability to spray? I'm not saying it can't be done, but every inch of that vertical surface area is a brush mark and/or sag waiting to happen.

You've got a beautiful boat and a lot of work invested so far, if you haven't used this product before maybe just do the transom or part of the cockpit before taking the plunge and doing the whole boat with it.

Final analysis - Instead of trying to put 10 coats of varnish on this weekend, get your buddies, get the beer, work on a test area, rent/borrow another boat, and go fishing.

[ 06-12-2002, 04:15 PM: Message edited by: Concordia..41 ]