Application of Varnish on Two Sides

[Kovar]

I'm refinishing the mahogany on my 1988 SPORT 13. I've sanded the original parts to bare wood. I've applied the [first of eight] thinned coat of Epifanes clear gloss.

Q1 : should I apply all eight coats on one side then flip?

Q2: or should I apply varnish to both sides with each coat?

Fig. 1. Wooden parts to be varnished.

wood.jpg (38.03 KiB) Viewed 574 times

[jimh]

There is another option: apply one coat to one side, let that coat thoroughly dry, apply one coat to the other side, let that coat thoroughly dry, sand both sides, remove dust, repeat seven more times.

[Palomino]

I was always told not to varnish both sides - that you would be encapsulating the wood and if it ever was knicked moisture wood get in it and cause it to blister.

I've varnished a fair amount of Whaler teak, I use West System epoxy and then a few coats of Epifanes, usually about 3. Never had a problem. I don't leave the wood exposed, I always wash the boat down and put a cover on it if it will be sitting for more than 2-3 days.