Comparing Different Varnishes For Your Boats Brightwork 

I have a request for this video could you please post that board in a high UV exposure area over the summer and then at the end of the summer give us an update and show us how they handle that please

For the exterior finishes, it would be nice to know how they last under the elements (ex: sun). Seems to be the most important factor for choice of product. As Always, great work! Thanks.

Well done Andy, you pronounced Epifanes properly... my fav varnish...

great video! this really helps explain the differences to people new to marine varnish

Thanks for the review. I much prefer Pettit's Flagship Varnish over their Captain's Varnish, and even more over the Epifanes varnish, gloss in all cases. If I want a rubbed effect, I'll rub it out. I haven't tried the new Total Boat products. I know Jamestown Distributors sponsors you, and that's great, but for a head to head comparison you really need to use similar products, preferably gloss if you're only going to do one. A gloss will always win a subjective ranking of appearance, look clearer, better saturation, etc.

Interesting video. I find it interesting about the "High Gloss Finish not for Inside"...I was at the boat show last year in Detroit, and all cabin cruiser boats had VERY HIGH gloss finishes in the interior where they had wood items. I always tended to use a Satin for OUTSIDE items, and Gloss for interior (though it would change based on what the item is).

Once again, great video! For my 25 year maintenance challenge with a mahogany toerail on a 41 ft fiberglass cabin cruiser (that is 46 years old), Epiphanes Gloss Varnish seems to hold up the best, and like you, I have tested and compared many brands. Simply put, there are no bad marine varnishes out there, but many different environmental factors and personal preferences. Again, great video with excellent demonstration and dialogue.

well done, thanks. I just ordered the Halcyon.

Yes, finally a video without fibreglass :D

love this video, I'm currently doing a total refit on a Catalina 25. But I'm confused; at the 8:00 mark you start talking about interior and exterior environments and Gloss vs Semi-Gloss / Flat finishes. It seems that the Semi Gloss or Flat would be better suited for exterior use due to bright sunlight, while the high Gloss for the interior. Can you clarify?

That epaphanes looks nice. Personally.

I have used Epiphanes matte for interior. Love the product - it needs to be thinned to apply as it is very viscous. A review on interior colour coats would be awesome. I am refinishing the interior of my sailboat and want to paint the v-berth and aft-cabin battens white (semi-gloss or satin white)

I’m a new live aboard yacht owner. I’d like to refinish a few panels and steps. This is for indoors, what would you recommend for the grit of sandpaper? I so enjoyed your informative video.

I have used a board like yours for different stains. One part with raw stain next to stain with varnish. The most important part is to have them labeled especially because of my short memory.

Andy, I'm currently using Halcyon on a project. It will gloss up, but doesn't seem to fill the wood grain as much. Or holds foam brush strokes a little bit at least on okoume ply. I can get you pictures of 4 coats on douglas fir, for a nice semi finish, and 7 or 8 coats on okoume and cedar. Less grain to fill on the cedar, so it comes across smoother.

Awesome video! Thanks.

buddy of mine used high gloss on interior red/black checkered house floors, they popped nice with natural light

Thank you

Hi Andy. I used the Lust Matte on my cabin sole about 3 - 4 years ago. I do like the finish for the sole because it is less slippery than the high gloss finish that was previously on it. Being that it is a sailboat traction is a big plus while healing, as you know. I thinned the first 50% with thinner, the second about 25% and the final 3 coats were full viscosity. All coats were the Lust Matte. I didn’t think to build with gloss. What I like about it is it’s a local company as I live close by and I like to support local businesses. Also, I liked the quick build that lust provides. I was able to apply a coat about every 2 to 3 hours at about 65 degrees F. I sanded the last 2 coats with 220 then 320. It looked great when done. The down side, it started lifting in spots last season, a problem I have never had when using a varnish on the interior. The boat is reasonably dry with the exception of the sole in front of the head where some water from showering does get on the sole when exiting and near the companionway from rain and spray when sailing. I don’t know if the problem was that I did not use a sealer on my first couple of coats? Not sure, anyway,in all other applications of Total Boat Products Ive been very happy with, but this one’s durability didn’t seem to stand up to the test. Again, it may have been not using a sealer first....FYI, I’ve been in the painting field all my life and have owned boats for forty years, so I have a bit of experience with finishes. I just thought I would let you know. I would certainly give it another chance. I have to do some exterior bright work this season and I will try the gloss as I am out of the Epifanes I had been using. Again, the quick build is a selling point. I will advise on the durability. Get back to me in 3 or 4 years..lol.

So where in this list of marine woodwork finishes do products such as Alwood, and Le Tonkin oil fit. From what I understand, products such as Epiphanes and Alwood require both a primer coat to start with and thereafter upto 10 coats of the finish. As i also understand this isn’t a requirement with Le Tonkin oil. To date, my first hand experience is with finishes such as Cetol Sikkens marine varnish and spar marine varnishes. I have used Sikkens for a number of years on the teak trims on deck and asides occasionally (once/twice year requiring some minor refinishing, so far it’s held up really well. My experience with spar marine varnishes is that they look nice but when exposed to high UV they tend to fail within 1-2 yrs. I am interested in Le Tonkin and perhaps Epiphanes in the longer run. The other finishes listed in this video aren’t available out here in Tassie.

Show idea: pigments. I've bought a blue. Can't wait to try it

Do you use any of the varnish alternatives like Cetol or TB Marine Wood Finish? A comparison of application and durability would be very interesting.

Really Good Video.

Awesome, vintage Boatworks! Thank you.

Can you cover the Gleam with cotes of rubbed finish, for interior canin soles?

Question: let’s say using a gloss finish in a canoe build to show off the woods used. Would you lay this under or over epoxy or would it be by itself? Or would you mix them?

You mention using these for interior applications. Would you recommend using any of these for refinishing an interior cabin sole on a boat?

Are you going to finish the wheel / floor project anytime soon?

I've used several high quality marine varnishes. I haven't found they last 2 yrs. I switched to Helmsman Spar Varnish from the big box stores. It lasts quite well for a season of exterior. I use gloss, and for the interior I rub I with powdered pumice to flatten it. It was wasteful to throw out part cans of expensive stuff as it went bad in the can.

Have you ever tried a 2 part varnish? I have always wondered how well they would work?

Hi Andy: What happened to rebuilding the Bertram! Did I miss a video that it sank! Regards George

Years ago I followed your advice from a previous video on brightwork. 2 or 3 layers of West System epoxy with 3-5 layers of Epifanes high gloss varnish on top. It turned out amazing and looked like 30 coats of varnish. I remember back then the 209 hardener stated it had extra UV protection but now it says extra slow hardener. I personally love the high gloss of the Epifanes but It feels more like a spar varnish than a hard durable finish. I would love to see some more reviews on brightwork including durability and how to achieve the best finish in the marina without spending weeks and weeks and having to redo it every season.

I also want to know how they stand up against the sun... Who has the best uv additive

tanx for the nice videos, starting work on my victoire 22 soon, your channel is my guide. :-)

Cool Stuff, Im clueless when it comes to finishing wood on a boat, I turn boat customers down instantly when asked to do their woodwork too.... I finish the guitars that I build but the wood types are completely different..... Cool video Mr. Andy, you taught this jaded old glass man something new! ..... Thank You Much

Nice but it would of been nice if you would have taken the tape off between the samples

What do you think about rino liner in the back of the boat

Goes to show what I know about boating. I thought "brightwork" meant chromed surfaces. 🙃 I have a ways to go before I start working on boats, so I have time to learn.

I have experimental idea by using Cabot 140.0003460.055 Oil Stain and Totalboat Halcyon clear on my back porch deck. Build by pressure treated pine wood. It’s absolutely dry and ready to stain or seal. What do you think, will it work? Looking forward for your thoughts. Thanks!

Know anything about WoodSkin? Available in Europe, described as non peeling, scaling or flaking, with the ability to reapply later, without prep, to renew the finish as needed. Sounds perfect.

I noticed you were using the chip brushes. Every time I use those for finish work I get shedding. And the brush hairs in my stains and finish drive me nuts. Do you use those when doing finish work, or was it used just on this sample?

Do you recommend sealing raw teak prior to using cetol and then a varnish for gloss?

have you tested to do the buildup with a cheap varnish and topcoat with a high quality?

I know this is off topic, I don't have access to PVA to coat over fresh gelcoat-Can I put down a layer of paint to seal out the air till it cures?

I use epifanes is the best

Would this work wood truck bead?

I have an old aluminum 12 foot boat I am going to sail, I had a cherry tree on the property and made rudder, what would YOU seal it with? TIA

How does the durability and hardness hold up with the Halcyon? From you experience is it just as durable as epoxy? I'm spraying small pieces of wooden jewelry thats multiple layers of 3mm wood. I'm thinking to apply about 3-5 coats of the Halcyon. I called the sales rep and he said its harder than epoxy but I need a

Andy would you recommend total Boat Halycon Clear for a cabin sole? I want to keep the high gloss.

ever work with AWL Clear?

We need a wooden boat video any thing will do.

what about a cost comparison?

Hi, advice please... Just been varnishing for the first time and thought things had been going well however we had a few days of rain and where water pooled the varnish has turned white and can be rubbed off with thumb pressure. On flat surfaces the varnish is fine except where it abuts one of these areas, then I can see it pealing back even on a vertical surface... solutions please anyone? Matt, new to boats and boat problems...

Hi Andy, which of these varnishes would you recommend for a cabin sole please ? I have some scratches in my floor and would like to give them a new finish. Great channel by the way. I have watched many of your videos. thanks

Still waiting on supplies for the boat I guess. That was me last month on my boat repair.

The tech guy at Total Boat said the UV protection of the GLEAM Gloss is higher than the GLEAM Satin For exterior use he recommended 5 coats of GLEAM Gloss and a topcoat of GLEAM Satin What is your opinion Using it on Rough Sawn Cedar shutters that I built Problem was standard Spar urethane varnish didn't hold up to the elements

Hey Andy, which one of these would you recommend over the epoxy coated okume marine plywood I’m using on the inside of the little lapstrake sailing dinghy I’m building? (Wow, is that a run-on sentence)!

I have been using Le Tokinois varnish on my exterior. It seems to fade away rather than dry out and get flakey when old….does Gleam flake when old and dried out? Would have have take it all the way down to wood if I wanted to redo my bright work or could I apply over Le Tokinois? Thanks

Well done! Very interesting and I have some newbie questions... I am considering using Epifanes rapidclear for my build coats before applying the Epifanes rubbed effect for my interior, what are your thought about the rapidclear for the building? Would you recommend thinning the rapidclear? Thank you !! :D

I believe a gloss finish is less susceptible to mildew, for those who face that issue in their area.

A tip for factory like finish for the interior: Start by applying high gloss clear coats. Then light sanding. Then apply the last coat by a spraycan, matt or semigloss.

Interlux?

A little disappointed in this video. What I was really looking for was a great product that would hold up for years to UV Ray's. I thought helmsman spar urethane would be good but it was peeling and warn off in a year (or less). My next attempt was going to be an epoxy product. Any recommendations?

Ok next test put it in the sun and see what has the best UV resistance.

It appeared as though the gloss had a heavy orange peel. Was that just the lighting, surface or something else?

Andy, do you have any involvement with the choice of advertising on your channel? The conspiracy theory ads are disturbing. You’re an intelligent person so it makes me ask this question.

Instead of storing it somewhere, set it outside your shop in the sun and weather somewhere then take a picture once a month.

Put them out in the sun for the summer and see how they perform.

the Bertram the Bertram

You're still not comparing like with like. You're comparing satin with gloss with water based, etc.

I prefer an oil finish for boat interiors simply for it's ease of freshening up. I can repair a scuff in seconds with a simple wipe of a oiled rag. As good as exterior brightwork can look, I will never again own a boat with very much of it. Way too much maintenance to keep it looking good.

🧡💯😎👍👍🍕🍺⭐

I just hate being first

Easiest thing to do is not finish any of the wood and let it crack and pickle for 25 yrs like the previous owner of my WWP. 🤦🏻‍♂️⚓️😂

Comic Sans. Yikes

If you're going to compare 6 products make all six products the same glass level if I want to see how that builds up and what that glass level is going to look like they all have to be the same come on give me a break