refinishing boat

I am woefully behind with refinishing my boat which, came to my attention when I noticed a sizable bubble in the varnish. That has since popped. There is also some varnish raising along the edge of the deck and some places where you can see the weave of the glass (perhaps with some bubbles along the keel) under the varnish. This was a pygmy boat build using their supplied Systems Three epoxy. I am wondering about best practices for prepping and re-varnishing the surface. Anything extra that needs to be done for the areas of raised/peeled varnish and/or the areas where the weave of the glass shows white or has bubbles underneath? Guidance and advice much appreciated! Thanks

 

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RE: refinishing boat

Bubbles in Varnish: These may be caused by trapped air or moisture. Once popped, they often leave behind a rough area that needs to be addressed.

Raised Varnish: This is usually caused by moisture or contaminants. It often appears as bumps or rough patches.

Visible Glass Weave: This indicates insufficient varnish coverage or potential issues with the underlying epoxy.

Removing Damaged Varnish

  • Sand the Affected Areas: Use a sanding block or an orbital sander with 80 to 120-grit sandpaper to sand down the areas with raised or peeled varnish. Feather the edges to blend with the surrounding varnish.
  • Address Bubbles: For bubbles, sand the area smooth and ensure no residual varnish is left. The goal is to create a flat surface for reapplication.

Fixing Weave Visibility and Bubbles

  • Fill Weave and Bubbles: If you see the glass weave or bubbles, you may need to fill these areas. Use a high-build epoxy or a filler designed for such purposes. Apply the filler, let it cure, and then sand it smooth.
  • Clean the Surface: After sanding, clean the surface thoroughly to remove dust and debris. Use a vacuum and a tack cloth or a clean, lint-free cloth dampened with water or solvent (depending on the varnish system used) to ensure the surface is completely clean.

Preparation

  • Apply a Sealer Coat: If the glass weave is still visible or if there are areas where the varnish didn’t adhere properly, consider applying a sealer coat of epoxy. This helps in creating a uniform base for the varnish.
  • Sand the Sealer Coat: Once the sealer coat has cured, sand it smooth with fine-grit sandpaper (around 220-grit) to ensure good adhesion for the varnish.

Applying Varnish

  • Choose the Right Varnish: Use a high-quality marine varnish suitable for your boat and the conditions it will be exposed to.
  • Apply Thin Coats: Apply thin, even coats of varnish using a brush or roller designed for varnishing. Avoid over-brushing, which can lead to bubbles.
  • Allow Drying Time: Follow the manufacturer’s instructions for drying times between coats. Typically, varnish requires several hours to a day to dry completely.

You can get some tips here: https://www.resinobsession.com/resin-frequently-asked-questions/tiny fishing-resin-troubleshooting-tips/

RE: refinishing boat

A gentler option for removing the damaged varnish is to wet sand with #400 paper. it's quieter, generates no dust and is less agressive. With wet sanding it's possible to remove only the damaged varnish and leave the underlying epoxy intact. The orbital sander with #80 has an excellent chance of destroying the finish and damaging the wood.

With Interlux Schooner varnish I can tell whether I'm sanding varnish or have reached the epoxy by the feel of the sanding block. If I'm still sanding varnish it feels almost soapy. When the soapy fell stops I'm down to the epoxy.

Laszlo

 

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