Here's what I have learned @ spar varnish-the hard way!

[nevadatear]

I finally have a finishs that look decent, after three weeks of frustration. What I have learned is to search this forum first, not after I screw up! My mistake, yup, a good brush and the right varnish make all the difference.

I started with Helmsman and poly foam brushes, and fine finish foam roller. I spent three weeks of applying finish, sanding off the awful runs and orange peel, going through three cans of finish, and completely heavily sanding the thing three seperate times. I tried thinning it, then thinning it some more, rubbing on, everything thing but what everyone said was the really right thing--good brush, good varnish. The final straw was what I though was the last coat came out high-low sheen, for no apparent reason. It was the last of my Helmsman. So I took a big breath and bucked up. Bought a can of Man-o-war varnish and a high quality expensive brush (after adding up all the foam brushes I through away after one use and 3 cans of Helmsman, it wasn't looking so expensive.)

So this am I put on what will be my final coat, no matter the result. And the results are good! I thinned it out @ 15% and got up at 6:00 am so it was not too hot yet. Whether it was the brush or the varnish, or more likely both, it went on like a dream, very few runs, spread out nicely, minimal brush strokes visable, uniform sheen, no orange peel (at least not yet). Yeah! finally! it is no spray finish, but I can live with it.

Lesson learned: buy high quality spar varnish, even if you have to drive 100 miles to get it (which I did) and a high quailty brush. You will regret it if you don't.

[b.bodemer]

There is a code on the quart and gallon cans of Helmsman Spar Urethane.

It should be last year,08, or this year,09. Anything older could be part of your original problem. I talked with Minwax. Had an 07 and it gave me a lot of trouble when I was recoating my td this summer. They told me to purchase a gallon with a more current date and to send in a receipt. They sent a check and replaced it.

Barb

[S. Heisley]

Good for you, Debbie! Congratulations!
You didn't give up and you got the job done well enough to make you happy and that's what counts.



I couldn't offer any help but I can applaud the finish! ("Finish"? Excuse the unintended pun. )

[SlyTerry]

The reason for sprayguns is????? Just joking around gals...We have 1964 36 foot mahogany ChrisCraft that sucks up varnish like there is no tomorrow. 50/50 mix first coat 75/25 varnish thinners second coat 100% varnish 3rd and 4th coats. two years later do it all over again.

[kennyrayandersen]

Congrats on gettin’ ‘er done! This is when you sometimes realize that expensive (tools material etc.) is all relative…

The reason for sprayguns is????? Just joking around gals...We have 1964 36 foot mahogany ChrisCraft that sucks up varnish like there is no tomorrow. 50/50 mix first coat 75/25 varnish thinners second coat 100% varnish 3rd and 4th coats. two years later do it all over again.

That would be a ‘high maintenance gal’ Me and a Porsche parted ways for similar reasons…