Varnishing (the basics) - Boat Building Sessions 

240 grit is not enough tooth on barewood. 150 grit provides better adhesion

It always catches me a little by surprise when someone from England calls some little piece of wood ,”timber”. They use the term for any old stick. Where I live, New York, timber is a term exclusively for large pieces of tree . Most of the people I know it both boat building and barn building would feel silly using timber for anything under 6”x6”. More common would be boards, planks, wood or referring to a piece of wood by it’s demensions.

Is there a reason why you use genuine turps over substitute?

I had to give this video a thumbs-down. Too many flaws., including...use gloves so you don't leave body oils on the piece...don't "scrub" with the tack cloth, you can leave residue. Wipe, lightly in one direction and change cloth surface as you pick up particles... Don't forget to seal/varnish the underside/faying surfaces.

Mine works too. I used the Woodglut plans and performed it without any problems.