dulled varnish due to rain?

[casem]

I varnished the inside of my boat last weekend (15' plywood Whilly Boat) with Z-spars Captain's varnish 1015. Then this weekend I had to let it sit out in the rain for a day and a night so that I could use the space in my garage to do some more varnishing. When I brought it back in and dried it off the varnish had noticeabley dulled. The only thing I can think is that maybe the varnish wasn't completely dry, but it had over a week. Anyone else ever have this problem? The can was a year old but it had never been opened.

[John R Smith]

casem

try wiping the varnish down with a soft cotton cloth soaked in white spirit. This should bring back the shine.

John

[ 03-18-2003, 10:53 AM: Message edited by: John R Smith ]

[ccmanuals]

OK, I'll bite. What is white spirit?

[casem]

Yes what is white spirit? I tried rubbing alcohol but this didn't work.

[Nicholas Carey]

White spirit == mineral spirits

[Concordia..41]

I've had Epifanes rain spot a couple of days post-varnishing for no known reason other than my cursed luck. Hopefully I'll remember the mineral spirits trick if it happens again.

[casem]

Okay I'll go buy some mineral spirits. But is there any reason to expect it to work when the rubbing alcohol didn't?

[casem]

Unfortunately minera spirits didn't work.

[Nicholas Carey]

You might try buffing the varnish out with 3M Finesse-It buffing compound (available from West Marine and auto-body supply houses).

Do a test spot by hand.

If that works use the 3M Finesse-It with a soft bonnet on a random orbital. Careful not to burn the finish. Light pressure, keep it moving.

It that doesn't work, you're probably stuck with sanding it out and re-coating.

[casem]

Thanks Nicholas I'll try it.

Does anyone know why this happened? I'd like to know if I did something wrong so I can avoid it in the future. I also haven't been able to find a phone number for zspar. Anyone have that?

[Nicholas Carey]

Originally posted by casem:
Thanks Nicholas I'll try it.

Does anyone know why this happened? I'd like to know if I did something wrong so I can avoid it in the future. I also haven't been able to find a phone number for zspar. Anyone have that?http://www.kop-coat.com/corporate/woolsey.htm

1-800-221-4466

[Concordia..41]

FWIW in my case, my diagnosis was that the multiple coats hadn't completely finished curing and were impacted by moisture. A while back the chemist or someone had a nice synopsis of how long the individual coats can continue to do their molecular thing as the drying process continues and how coat #2 continues to dry under coat #3, and coat #3 continues to dry under coat #4 - but at a slower rate and so forth.

Although it may feel dry to the touch, a couple of days doesn't get it and the more coats the more the drying process slows.

I ended up light sanding and recoating. :(

[David N.]

curious , you said the varnish was in an " unopened can that was a year old " , I was wondering if the varnish " settled " and was not stirred well enough ?? . Where was the varnish stored , in that time , could it of froze ?? .

I have had 1015 blush before , now I put it on , by no later than noon , and thin it 10-15% .

[Rocky]

Try wiping it with vinegar.

[casem]

I called the number Nicolas found for me (thanks). The guy said it was most definaley moisture getting in there due to the coat not being completely dry, and suggested a recoat. Strange cuz it had a week sitting in my garage, but whatever. I asked about not mixing properly and he didn't seem to think that would contribute. The varnish I stored in my garage all year which gets cold but certainly not below 40 F.

If anyone wants to stop by my house this weekend and help me re-sand I'd appreciate it.

Thanks for you replies.

[capt jake]

If anyone wants to stop by my house this weekend and help me re-sand I'd appreciate it.
LOL, I tried that one too!!! smile.gif I may hire a relative who moved in the area to assist in mine!!
Otherwise.... you be sandin'!! :D :D LOL

I feel your pain!! smile.gif smile.gif

[David N.]

I love sanding , of course I love mince meat pie too !! . But I have to sand this weekend ( aircraft stuff ) or I would be there .

[Don Danenberg]

Hello, You start with a product that is admittadly 1-year old (yet do not question it's 'shelf life')?
1015 is a 'beginner's' varnish, good thing you didn't try something formulated to 'last longer'.
It is the best little classroom, though, isn't it?

[casem]

Sorry to bring this back up but I have some interesting results. I coated my floorboards with what was left of the suspect can. Let them dry for a week, mostly in the house (as opposed to the garage). Then I stuck one end in water for 24 hours and there was no "spotting". I guess the first coat just didn't dry enough. Thanks again everyone.

[Concordia..41]

If at first you don't succeed, sand and sand again ;)

- M

[Nicholas Carey]

Originally posted by casem:
Sorry to bring this back up but I have some interesting results. I coated my floorboards with what was left of the suspect can. Let them dry for a week, mostly in the house (as opposed to the garage). Then I stuck one end in water for 24 hours and there was no "spotting". I guess the first coat just didn't dry enough. Thanks again everyone.So...a guy carrying a fiddle case comes up to a cop on a street corner in New York City and taps him on the shoulder. "Excuse me," he say, "Could you tell me I get to Carnegie Hall?"

Without missing a beat, the cop answers back, "Ahh...Practice, me boy, practice."

[R.I.Singer30]

Temperature and relative humidity can affect drying time I suppose.

[ 03-26-2003, 08:37 AM: Message edited by: R.I.Singer30 ]

[Art Read]

"Hello, You start with a product that is admittadly 1-year old (yet do not question it's 'shelf life')?..."

Just curious, Dan. How does one determine just how long that can of varnish has been sitting in a warehouse or on the store's shelf? Dust? I never really considered that unopened but "aged" varnish might be an issue?

"...1015 is a 'beginner's' varnish, good thing you didn't try something formulated to 'last longer'.
It is the best little classroom, though, isn't it?..."

How do you define "beginner's varnish"? While certainly no expert, I find it about as user friendly as the next brand. (I learned varnishing with whatever old can my skipper still had stashed down in the lazzerette... Never did really notice much difference between 'em.) Are you refering to the "exotics" like "5 Year Clear" or "Rivale"?

[mhoffman]

Casem-
is the dulling due to water spots, or is it the entire finish? If spots, try washing and waxing just like a car with water spots. If it is an actual "dulling" of the final surface coat, scuff it up lightly and put on another coat. I have heard tell of a wiped on thin coat- basically apply like a wiping varnish. I haven't tried it, but it sounded like a plan...
Matt