When wood is epoxied over it is sealed and you are painting the epoxy not the wood. The epoxy is being painted, and [what was under the epoxy] really doesn't matter if it were a Sakonnet foredeck or any other deck.
I replaced the split wooden cover over my drain sump with a solid piece of plywood. I coated it with three layers of West Marine epoxy and painted it with Awlgrip to the manufacturer's specifications. This is in the corner rear of the deck in an incredibly high traffic area because I stand on it while operating my starboard side downrigger and net fish there as well.
The Awlgrip on that wood based drain sump cover and the rest of the floor has held up tremendously well
In all applications, primer and paint should be applied by the manufactures specifications including surface prep.
Awlgrip can either be [applying using] roll-and tip or [applying using a] spray. [This makes AWLGRIP] good for home projects. [AWLGRIP] is a two-part urethane. As I mentioned [AWLGRIP] is very expensive.
Before buying [AWLGRIP paint], decide whether you are going [to apply by spray or apply by roll-and-tip]. Both the primer and paint utilize different reducers for the different applications.
I also used Awlgrip for painting over aluminum, and the outcome was amazing. [Painting AWLGRIP over aluminum] requires a specific Alwgrip-brand prime coat [in order to] adhere to the aluminum--which it then does incredibly well.
I used [AWGRIP paint] on:
- 1/4-inch aluminum panels I installed on both sides of the transom for additional strength
- 1-inch-thick Aluminum plate I installed as a raised mount for my [auxiliary engine], and
- on 1/4-inch Aluminum angle for downrigger mount brackets.
Awlgrip products worked incredibly well on the restoration of my Revenge. I feel [AWLGRIP] would work equally as well on the Sakonnet foredeck.
While we are on the subject of deck paint, one product that I used and did not meet my expectations was Kiwi Grip non-skid. I don't recommend that on any deck. It looks nice at first but doesn't clean well.
Note: When the term "paint" was used and not "varnish, I understood the question was for something other than a clear topcoat over wood.