Teardrops n Tiny Travel Trailers

Folks,

I have been in the carpenter for over 20 years And I just wanna say what happened to GOOD OLE SPAR VARNISH for exterior wood apps. I have used this countless times 2 coats thinned and 2 finish coats on fir mahogany teak cedar and I gotta say I have 0 problems. So I guess what I am getting at is thats the the way I am gonna do me side walls on THE DOWN JERSEY TIN TOP. I learned long ago NEW AND IMPROVED MEANS THEY SCREWED IT UP, ANYBODY WITH ME

I'm with ya Chris.

I haven't looked in the Marine places yet but there was nothing like it.

Happy Trails

Len

Chris,

I'm with you on the quality material, but equal or greater importance must be placed on application technique (making sure that no part of the wood is left exposed!)


It is always easier to do it right the first time, than to tear it apart to do it over...


Rob

I figure you have tocoat all 6 sides of every piece of wood spars ply etc..... I think that is what your getting at right BOB

Don't forget the bottom of the ply.. that is where the water is likely to wick up.

Hmmm, IMHO "New and Improved" usually means repackaging something that's been around for awhile to generate new interest in it.

From what I've seen the world of exterior finishes has been going through a lot of changes dealing with the requirements to reduce VOC (Volatile Organic Compounds). From this has come some interest new products. With many years of success using Epifanes Spar Varnish, I'm open to change, if it mets my criteria and needs.

Chris D wrote:Folks,
NEW AND IMPROVED MEANS THEY SCREWED IT UP, ANYBODY WITH ME

I guess we're back to vacuum tubes too!

schaney wrote:Hmmm, IMHO "New and Improved" usually means repackaging something that's been around for awhile to generate new interest in it.

From what I've seen the world of exterior finishes has been going through a lot of changes dealing with the requirements to reduce VOC (Volatile Organic Compounds). From this has come some interest new products. With many years of success using Epifanes Spar Varnish, I'm open to change, if it mets my criteria and needs.

Nice thing about Epifanes Spar Varnish is not having to sand between coats.

starleen2 wrote:

Chris D wrote:Folks,
NEW AND IMPROVED MEANS THEY SCREWED IT UP, ANYBODY WITH ME

I guess we're back to vacuum tubes too!

Come on Chris!!! Where's your sense of adventure????

The luan on Chubby has and original 4 coats Of Marine Spar Varnish and a year later I sanded and applied 2 more. He sets outside in the rain , snow , and hot sun.
I coated only the face and have some lifting , however the lifting is the face layer of the luan itsself indicating to me that the moisture is entering from the back and lifted the top ply of the luan itsself. I also have some discoloration at the seams indicating moisture entered the edges. I thought the Spar Varnish would build up enough thickness to bridge the seams but apparently it did not. It will probably be sanded and body filled next summer and painted. I will miss the wood look but it will continue to deteriorate if steps are not taken. A wood teardrop is like a wooden boat they take a lot more attention and a sheltered storage place would be a BIG plus.

Steve, I'd have to check the spec sheets, but if I remember correctly "Rapid Coat" and "Wood Finish" don't require sanding, although "Clear Varnish" does.

I tend to get accustomed to a particular product's methods and dislike change.


I'm not even old yet

My brother swears by Simonize as the best car wax and has accumulated a lifetime supply. Not so sure I agee with him on that one. Newer products protect better, last longer, and most importantly are easier to apply.

But I used spar varnish on my TD.

Spar varnish and I are good friends. We meet once a year for 2 days.........sand, tack-rag and finish. Hey works for me, and I don't know anyone who is foolish enough to have more wood showing than I do. After 6 years, I guess that makes about 8 or 9 coats so far. No peeling or obvious leak areas that I have noticed.

So, chaulk down one vote for me on common ordinary spar varnish, 49 bucks a gallon at the big box stores. If I wasn't so cheap, I guess I would get it at a Marine store for twice as much. No wax on my varnish, I fear the next coat of varnish wouldn't stick in the areas where wax wasn't entirely removed.
Roly