paint or don't

[texoman]

This is my first post to this site and I'm new to wooden boats. I'm restoring a 1959 whirlwind runaboat my father bought new. The boat is completly stripped and sanded. There was a white painted panel on the sides which I want to put back on. Do I vanish the whole boat first than paint the panel over the varish or do I edge it? Also, any recommedations on varish or white paint I should use. Thanks

[Bob Cleek]

Anytime I intend to paint wood that could be finished bright (varnished), I always lay on a coat or two of CPES sealer and varnish first before my white base and finish coats. In that way, if I ever change my mind, it is easy to refinish bright. If you paint on bare wood, the paint will soak into the wood and become almost impossible to remove sufficiently to refinish bright without grinding it down excessively.

For paint and varnish tips, use the FAQ thread or the search function. You'll get all the info you need!

[BRobinson]

Paint over the varnish. It's the only way it will look right. There would be too much edge with 12 or so coats of varnish taped off against the painted portion.