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Author Topic:   Another wood question

cinco de whaler posted 01-14-2003 01:00 PM ET (US)
I'm re-finishing the wood on a 1982 11' Sport but the bow hatch cover and rear hatch cover have been stored inside and are in original condition. I'm trying to find a stain or varnish that will match the original appearance. I sanded the wood to a smooth finish and tried using spar varnish but it looked to dark and brown. I then tried to use a mahogany stain and it seemed to dark and red. Any suggestions, also is the wood teak or mahogany?
Thanks
JBCornwell posted 01-14-2003 01:18 PM ET (US)
Cinco.
Strip and bleach the stain out of the wood. Then just varnish it.
The wood is one of many varieties called "Phillipine mahogany". The color varies, but usually matches on a given boat. Over time it darkens and deep sanding is required to restore the original color.
Red sky at night. . .
JB
lhg posted 01-14-2003 02:48 PM ET (US)
My experience with Whaler varnished mahogany is just the opposite of JB's. Generally, I have found that over time (and sun) the older polyurethane varnish lightens, turns yellow, and the the underlying wood bleaches out. How many yellow, faded out Whaler interiors have you seen?
I recommend you even strip off the old "good" varnish on the hatch, orbital sand down to REDDISH mahogany color, which will get rid of surface bleaching, and re-varnish it all. Then you will have a uniform job.
For some reason, BW used polyurethane varnish on the mahogany, but I never thought it lasted very well, and turned yellow in the sun. Nowadys, all the pros recommend good old fashioned spar varnish, but with the latest top-of-the-line UV inhibitors. Considering the labor involved, the extra cost of the material is not all that great. I use Z-Spar's Flagship line, with fabulous results.
To pre-stain (or filler stain) the wood or not is pure personal preference, although I believe it helps protect the wood from UV bleaching underneath the varnish. Do 10 coats, with a good grade of foam brush! (The ones sold at Walmart are not recommended).
JBCornwell posted 01-14-2003 04:39 PM ET (US)
LHG is correct.
I was referring to wet wood getting darker.
Either way, sand it all the way down.
Red sky at night. . .
JB

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Author	Topic: Another wood question
cinco de whaler	posted 01-14-2003 01:00 PM ET (US) I'm re-finishing the wood on a 1982 11' Sport but the bow hatch cover and rear hatch cover have been stored inside and are in original condition. I'm trying to find a stain or varnish that will match the original appearance. I sanded the wood to a smooth finish and tried using spar varnish but it looked to dark and brown. I then tried to use a mahogany stain and it seemed to dark and red. Any suggestions, also is the wood teak or mahogany? Thanks
JBCornwell	posted 01-14-2003 01:18 PM ET (US) Cinco. Strip and bleach the stain out of the wood. Then just varnish it. The wood is one of many varieties called "Phillipine mahogany". The color varies, but usually matches on a given boat. Over time it darkens and deep sanding is required to restore the original color. Red sky at night. . . JB
lhg	posted 01-14-2003 02:48 PM ET (US) My experience with Whaler varnished mahogany is just the opposite of JB's. Generally, I have found that over time (and sun) the older polyurethane varnish lightens, turns yellow, and the the underlying wood bleaches out. How many yellow, faded out Whaler interiors have you seen? I recommend you even strip off the old "good" varnish on the hatch, orbital sand down to REDDISH mahogany color, which will get rid of surface bleaching, and re-varnish it all. Then you will have a uniform job. For some reason, BW used polyurethane varnish on the mahogany, but I never thought it lasted very well, and turned yellow in the sun. Nowadys, all the pros recommend good old fashioned spar varnish, but with the latest top-of-the-line UV inhibitors. Considering the labor involved, the extra cost of the material is not all that great. I use Z-Spar's Flagship line, with fabulous results. To pre-stain (or filler stain) the wood or not is pure personal preference, although I believe it helps protect the wood from UV bleaching underneath the varnish. Do 10 coats, with a good grade of foam brush! (The ones sold at Walmart are not recommended).
JBCornwell	posted 01-14-2003 04:39 PM ET (US) LHG is correct. I was referring to wet wood getting darker. Either way, sand it all the way down. Red sky at night. . . JB