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Author Topic:   Preparing For and Applying Varnish To Wood

SEAJ posted 01-18-2010 11:46 AM ET (US)
I am considering trying to varnish the wood on my 1985 [OUTRAGE 18]. I am a little nevous, due to the fact I have never varnished anything, and I am scared I will somehow do something wrong and damage my prized outrage. I have studied the thread discussing the wood finishing process. Does the wood need to be removed from the hull? And if so, what is involved in taking the wood off? In properly reinstalling the wood so that water does not enter the hull from the screw holes? I know on larger boats varnish is applied to the wood mounted. In addition, what is the worst thing I could do? If the [varnish] is applied to the wood while installed to the hull, what would happen if a little--couple of drops--of the varnish spilled on the hull? Is it easily wiped off, will it stain my hull? Should I just forget the whole project and keep the wood natural? I am not afraid the labor; I am however afraid of my labor skills. Any insight would greatly appreciated. Stephen
jimh posted 01-18-2010 11:55 AM ET (US)
Many wooden components are easily removed from the boat to be prepared and finished. Others are much harder to remove and are typically prepared and finished in-situ.
An article in the REFERENCE section gives guidance on wood care:
http://continuouswave.com/whaler/reference/whalerWood.html
If you would like to refer to material in the archives, you should give the URI for the material so we can know to what ou are making reference.
SEAJ posted 01-18-2010 12:52 PM ET (US)
THANKS
R T M posted 01-18-2010 01:10 PM ET (US)
Varnishing is not much different than painting with a brush,(not a roller,LOL). Have you ever painted any house trim or furniture? The main thing with varnishing is the cleanliness involved, both with the varnish itself, which needs to be strained, and the piece to be varnished, which needs to be wiped down after sanding with mineral spirits, and then a tack cloth immediately before varnishing. Also the area you are working in needs to be clean.
rich/Binkie
95Outrage17 posted 01-18-2010 08:22 PM ET (US)
SEAJ,
Removing the wood from the boat would be a good thing for two reasons: First, the screws holding down the wood were likely not sealed properly at the factory. Second it would allow you to varnish the edges and possibly bottom of the wood to help the finish last longer.
When I refinished the wood on a 1987 Outrage 18 last winter, I removed all the wood, including the gunwale caps, sanded them back to bare wood, applied two and three coats of West System 105 and 207 epoxy, and then multiple coats of varnish. It was a bit more complicated than that, but those are the basic steps I followed. You may find some helpful pictures here: http://s9.photobucket.com/albums/a84/95Outrage17/87%20Outrage%2018/
Rich gave some good pointers and there is good info about the process here on CW and from the varnish manufacturers. If you choose to start with epoxy (not required), West system gives instructions on the process http://westsystem.com/ss/varnish-over-epoxy/ .
- Chris
jimh posted 01-18-2010 09:29 PM ET (US)
You can easily wipe up any drops of varnish that land on the gel coat surface of a classic Boston Whaler boat hull. Use some mineral spirits as a solvent. Wipe up the varnish before it can harden. Follow up with a mild soap to remove the mineral spirits from the gel coat.
I recommend you begin your study of the technique of varnishing wood from your boat by selecting a small component that is easily removed. Prepare this small component by cleaning, sanding, and wiping it down. Apply the finish material in the manner recommended. Apply a few coats. When finished, you will have learned about the method and the particular properties of the finish materials you are using. You can then evaluate the results, and apply anything learned to the next piece. If you select the pieces in reverse order of their visibility, you can conceal your mistakes and your learning process from the view of anyone on your boat. When you have perfected the technique, then select the largest and most prominent components, and apply a new finish to them.

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Author	Topic: Preparing For and Applying Varnish To Wood
SEAJ	posted 01-18-2010 11:46 AM ET (US) I am considering trying to varnish the wood on my 1985 [OUTRAGE 18]. I am a little nevous, due to the fact I have never varnished anything, and I am scared I will somehow do something wrong and damage my prized outrage. I have studied the thread discussing the wood finishing process. Does the wood need to be removed from the hull? And if so, what is involved in taking the wood off? In properly reinstalling the wood so that water does not enter the hull from the screw holes? I know on larger boats varnish is applied to the wood mounted. In addition, what is the worst thing I could do? If the [varnish] is applied to the wood while installed to the hull, what would happen if a little--couple of drops--of the varnish spilled on the hull? Is it easily wiped off, will it stain my hull? Should I just forget the whole project and keep the wood natural? I am not afraid the labor; I am however afraid of my labor skills. Any insight would greatly appreciated. Stephen
jimh	posted 01-18-2010 11:55 AM ET (US) Many wooden components are easily removed from the boat to be prepared and finished. Others are much harder to remove and are typically prepared and finished in-situ. An article in the REFERENCE section gives guidance on wood care: http://continuouswave.com/whaler/reference/whalerWood.html If you would like to refer to material in the archives, you should give the URI for the material so we can know to what ou are making reference.
SEAJ	posted 01-18-2010 12:52 PM ET (US) THANKS
R T M	posted 01-18-2010 01:10 PM ET (US) Varnishing is not much different than painting with a brush,(not a roller,LOL). Have you ever painted any house trim or furniture? The main thing with varnishing is the cleanliness involved, both with the varnish itself, which needs to be strained, and the piece to be varnished, which needs to be wiped down after sanding with mineral spirits, and then a tack cloth immediately before varnishing. Also the area you are working in needs to be clean. rich/Binkie
95Outrage17	posted 01-18-2010 08:22 PM ET (US) SEAJ, Removing the wood from the boat would be a good thing for two reasons: First, the screws holding down the wood were likely not sealed properly at the factory. Second it would allow you to varnish the edges and possibly bottom of the wood to help the finish last longer. When I refinished the wood on a 1987 Outrage 18 last winter, I removed all the wood, including the gunwale caps, sanded them back to bare wood, applied two and three coats of West System 105 and 207 epoxy, and then multiple coats of varnish. It was a bit more complicated than that, but those are the basic steps I followed. You may find some helpful pictures here: http://s9.photobucket.com/albums/a84/95Outrage17/87%20Outrage%2018/ Rich gave some good pointers and there is good info about the process here on CW and from the varnish manufacturers. If you choose to start with epoxy (not required), West system gives instructions on the process http://westsystem.com/ss/varnish-over-epoxy/ . - Chris
jimh	posted 01-18-2010 09:29 PM ET (US) You can easily wipe up any drops of varnish that land on the gel coat surface of a classic Boston Whaler boat hull. Use some mineral spirits as a solvent. Wipe up the varnish before it can harden. Follow up with a mild soap to remove the mineral spirits from the gel coat. I recommend you begin your study of the technique of varnishing wood from your boat by selecting a small component that is easily removed. Prepare this small component by cleaning, sanding, and wiping it down. Apply the finish material in the manner recommended. Apply a few coats. When finished, you will have learned about the method and the particular properties of the finish materials you are using. You can then evaluate the results, and apply anything learned to the next piece. If you select the pieces in reverse order of their visibility, you can conceal your mistakes and your learning process from the view of anyone on your boat. When you have perfected the technique, then select the largest and most prominent components, and apply a new finish to them.