brightwork cracks

[ddeaton]

What is the best way to fill small cracks between joints before a new varnish job? Epoxy and sand flush? This is on a hatch cover.
Thanks,
Danny

[Bob Cleek]

Well, that depends on what you call "small." The answer, though, is "just about anything." I generally use a "touch up stick" that you get at any hardware or paint store. It's a crayon colored the same as the wood. It's waxy and you rub it on and then smooth it out with your finger or a cloth. You can varnish right over it without waiting for anything to dry. It will make the crack invisible.

I also treat varnished joinerwork cracks with CPES. The joinerwork willl work and the cracks open, inevitably. With a good amount of CPES soaked in there, the moisture isn't as prone to invading the crack, wetting the wood, and lifting the varnish eventually. Makes the finish last much longer. The joints are always the first to go.

[ 09-29-2005, 09:49 PM: Message edited by: Bob Cleek ]

[JimD]

If it's epoxy glued I'd stay with epoxy to fill the cracks

[WoodenBNut]

I have use epoxy mixed with a little filler(silica) to fill joints in brightwork before varnishing. *See if you can get down to bare wood in the joint before applying the epoxy filler (the epoxy filler will stick better). I masked off around the joint to be epoxied so I didn't have to sand so much afterwards. Note: don't add too much filler to the epoxy so that the epoxy becomes non-clear, or you will end up with very noticeable joints when you varnish. It worked out very well for me and the joints are barely noticeable and are very soooth and so far, holding up well.

[Bob Cleek]

The problem with using epoxy filler in JOINTS is that joints move when the wood shrinks and swells. (That's where the cracks come from.) Epoxy filler has no elasticity. Either the epoxy cracks and spits out, or the wood bond breaks and another crack forms between the wood and the epoxy. For small cracks, use something with some give.

[ 09-30-2005, 01:28 PM: Message edited by: Bob Cleek ]

[T.A.R.]

Use natural bedding compound it can be stained to match the wood. It moves with the wood and helps keep water out.

[Adamant]

My son swears by using older varnish to fill small holes and cracks till they won't hold any more, then sanding it smooth prior to applying the first coat. He's one he.. of a good varnisher.