It is a funny thing that clear finish caper here in the great Southern Land. I have it on my Core Sound and what started as polyurethane clear by BoteCote, was great to start with then it started to peel off like sunburned skin off your nose as a kid. Would simply come away in big sheets.
So sanded that off and went to Feast Watson floor oil (with Polyurethane added) which we have on the hardwood floor here at home and on our benches in the kitchen. Four coats and it is marvelous, strong glossy look, seems to go on better than Deks Olje, no little bubbles. Easy to recoat. Really deep gloss.
However, couple of weeks away in the hot sun on the way to Tasmania saw it all go funny. Sort of hazy and heat affected. (it was pushing 40 deg for a couple of days, hot as buggery)
Sanded that off after redoing it all twice, then went the marine varnish with UV protection in it. Lovely while in the shed and under a tarp but once again, hot sun does not help it.
So the point I am making is that I have spent more time fooling around with clear finishes than I have spent actually sailing the boat I suspect.
I am starting to think that white enamel oil based paint is the best varnish. Apply it with a Wagner hand held spray gun, about 4 coats, with 10% thinners and you are getting close down here in Oz.
The other option is to get some custom boat covers made to keep the elements off. I did that but the the thing that got to me was that the turbulence in the air in the boat as you drove along at 110km/hour made the cover rub on a few bits of the clear and was no different to sand paper. So 18 hour drive to Melbourne resulted in bare timber.
I know this sounds all very glum but just saying. I do love the look but really it is a torture at times.
At Horseshoe Bay
I really admire your energy and work ethic. Love to see the videos of the boat in action soon.
Cheers
R
Locked
