What is Marine Varnish
One of the most popular coverings for wood is varnish. In the yachting industry, many use varnish for both interior and exterior, cap rails and furniture. Varnish is an essential element of wood yacht maintenance. It gives the wood finish a shiny, satin, or semi-glass finish and protects the wood from water, dirt, grease, and other contaminants.
Marine Varnish Application Process
The first step in wood boat maintenance is to prepare the surface and work area. This should be completed before applying any varnish to the wood surface. Varnish dries very quickly when exposed to heat. It is best to varnish in the early morning or late afternoon if varnishing outside.
On wood that has already been varnished, the condition of the wood must be considered. If the varnish is old and discolored, chipped, or otherwise damaged, you will first need to remove the old varnish by using a good quality wood stripper. After sanding the wood, it is very important that you apply approximately three coats sealer before applying your build up coats of varnish. We recommend that at least your last three coats be done by a UV resistant catalyst varnish.
