Awesome info grant! Gunna come in handy, keep them coming. I’ll try to remember to promote this series when I get to the varnishing videos and posts on my boat.
Thank you for that. Let me know if you need a hand with your project sometime. I would be more then happy to help out. (Maybe do more than watch you prime things this time lol)
I was thinking ok, this is interesting, seems like a smart technique, nothing to knock my socks off though….then I saw that finished glassy surface and my jaw dropped. So clean, wow. Wish I would’ve used this technique on the handrail I just finished.
Top notch advice Grant. A couple things I do a little differently, and not to undermine your methods: I do my wipe downs with denatured alcohol or naptha. Both flash off a little faster than mineral spirits and won't affect the varnish. I use water as well in warmer temperatures and to get off heavy dust but I'll often follow up with alcohol to chase away any remaining moisture. I use old dish washing detergent bottles for that stuff because it’s easier to handle than a gallon jug. I don’t often bother with the cross brushing method except on very curved or very small surfaces but it's certainly good practice, especially on open grained wood. Your video quality has come up a notch Grant. Nice work.
Thanks for taking the time to check it out. I’m always trying to improve the end product so shared experience is always welcome. I like the smaller bottle idea. When is the next dory video coming out?
excellent tips! You're a true pro! thanks for featuring Lust. Ya know since you mention sanding - you can overcoat Lust varnish in an HOUR without sanding. You can build up to 5 coats in one day. then sand. Just dont bury any ugly runs or dust! Makes varnishing less of a chore! Dare we say it's even .... "Fun!"
Thanks for bringing up the over coat time frame. I forgot to mention how much of a time saver this product can be. Great comment about being careful with the runs. I can’t wait to try Gleam 2.0 in the next video.
Thanks for the info. Starting my first total boat varnish project today and will try out your method! It’s a bit warmer here where I am, so I have to move a bit faster than you, I guess 🙈😂. Wish me luck 😛 cheers, Nike
If you are covering a larger surface a roll and tip usually results in a better finish. Also don’t be afraid to modify your varnish if it’s starting to drag. Good luck
Like your videos! Especially the small tips for getting a real pro result. Please consider also using international units like degree Celsius, litre, meter etc.
Great video! When applying multiple coats of varnish, can 1 coat per day be applied for 4 days before sanding? In other words, is it ok to "hot coat" varnish without sanding. I plan on sanding flat every 4 coats with a total of 15 or so.
Great video Grant. The boat behind you in the video, what is the stain color of it (and what base wood is it)? I'm trying to determine if I should stain, than finish, OR just use the lust (yellowish/amber hue) of total boat.
Thanks for the information! Is there ever a coat that is 100% varnish without thinner? And question #2: What sanding grit coarseness do you recommend as your moving from bare wood to the last coat?
After the first two thinned coats every coat should be 100% unless conditions don’t allow that. As far as sanding grit I use 320 on the first few coats of 100%. After that it depends on what kind of wood I’m working with. If the grain is filling well I often times use 220 to flatten. I always use 320 on the second to last coat and 400 on the last one. Scotch brite is your friend when building thickness.
I’m repairing a cracked/chipped wooden steering wheel with a varnish finish. Only a small part of it is cracking white the rest of it being fine. Is it safe to remove the varnish down to the wood over just the cracked portion but only lightly roughen the surrounding areas and then varnish a couple coats in the deeper spot and finish with a final varnish over the entire wheel?
That can very greatly, I usually take it case by case. Best general advice I can give is carful masking and thin application thin coatings with regular remasking.
I used a sprayer for varnish yesterday and it seems to have ruined everything. It doesn't seem to atomise well, it left a very rough surface. Is oil based varnish meant to be applied only with brush?
Not at all. You can use a roll and tip on bigger things or if you can work fast and accurate it can also be done with a brush. Spraying varnish almost always leaves an “orange peeled” finish that has to be sanded flat. Some brands are formulated for it though just hold on to your pocketbook, they are not cheap.
Varnishing with spar on a long thin tiller off a dingy, having problems getting both sides to blend into each other. Applying urethane one side at a time, tried hanging it but to light and became difficult. Any ideas to make it easier would be appreciated.
That’s always a challenge. I usually hang a tiller and apply it to the whole thing starting at the top. It honestly comes down to material control and practice.
I am having a problem with what looks like dust. It appears immediately after I tip off the finish. This is indoors and I am certain this is not from the air. Could this be caused by dust in the brush? If so, how do you clean a brush to avoid this?
Question: Can I apply a second coat of varnish without sanding if I apply the second coat before the first dries? I want a varnishanon-flat surface where sanding is impossible
I am buying a new cedar strip 14ft boat.would total lust flash off too quickly to use has a recoat product.for the area to be covered?would you recomend a nother product?l like the fact that l can apply more coats without sanding but is the area too large.would apply with roller and tip off.
Lust can absolutely be used if you can move fast enough to keep up. Just plan accordingly for your order of application. I also like flagship as an alternative.
I alternate between scotch brite and sandpaper to develop a good build up. So yes to sanding between coats. If you are using something like Totalboat lust or similar products it’s possible to reduce sanding between coats. The one thing to remember when using a “skip sand” varnish is everything will telegraph. Meaning you Will NEED to flatten it with sanding for best results.
@@ronnyfen2406 When using varnish like lust you apply multiple coats quickly with excellent penetration. Filling grain to a high gloss takes time. Lust is the fastest option I have ever found with great results.