I just finished putting a maintenance coat of varnish on a large portion of the brightwork (teak) on Barefoot. Varnished wood looks great on a boat, but is a major maintenance item, particularly in the Florida sun.
First a confession before I am disclosed as a fraud by a varnish purist - I used Cetol (gasp). Cetol is often referred to by purists as 'varnish for beginners', but I AM a beginner, having varnished for the first time last year about this time. Cetol is applied in two steps, first a color coat (I use Marine Light) and then an optional gloss coat.
I have had pretty good results, but varnishing, even with Cetol, is a vodoo science. Let me quote from the directions: do not apply when the humdity is above 80%, do not apply unless the dew point is at least 3 degrees Celius below the air temperature; do not apply in wet weather; do not apply in the sun or if the surface is hot; apply a liberal coat, but not too thick; flow the product on, do not brush....
In other words, it is basically impossible to apply it on a boat in Florida.
The last two days are a case in point. The probability of rain on both days was low (10-20%) - about as good as it gets in Florida this time of year. But the dew and remnants of rain from the prior evening did not let me get started until 11:00 - 11:30 AM; any moisture or humdity present when applying is deadly. But of course by then the sun has come up in full force and it started to get hot.
About 25% through the color coat on Friday, I could not touch the deck with a bare hand it was so hot and it then starts to get more difficult to 'flow' the product on. I learned a cute term last year, a spot that does not get a smooth coat of the varnish is called a 'holiday' by varnishers; doesn't that sound like fun, your brush goes on vacation while you are stuck in the hot sun. Four hours and numerous bottles of Gatorade later I completed the color coat.
Saturday started similarly, but with scattered clouds so it was not quite so hot. But about 75% through the gloss coat the clouds started to get ominously dark. The decision - quit or try to finish. A little rain on top of the varnish that is at least 'dust dry' is not fatal, but moisture on the surface before application is lethal, so I pushed on to finish. Luckily, the clouds produced only a faint dusting of moisture after I finished and it appears that it has not caused any significant clouding, crazing, or other problems in the finish.
I coated about 80% of the teak (toe or cap rail, grab rail, and cockpit coamings) and will probably leave the rest for later this year. Some pictures follow, but it is hard to really show the finish.
Ah, the boating life!
But on the other hand, the view from our boat this morning:
Tom
Bradenton, FL
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