Trade Secrets: Want Quick, Well-Varnished Wood For Your Boat’s Trim?

There’s something about a well-varnished wood trim on boats that catches the eye, isn’t there? But let’s be honest, the traditional method can feel like it’s taking forever. Waiting two weeks for twelve layers of varnish to dry? That’s an entire summer if you’re in the UK!

Can We Speed Up the Varnishing Process?

You bet! There’s a way to get that glossy finish without spending your whole summer in the boatyard. The game-changer? WEST SYSTEM® Epoxy. This stuff can help you get that well-varnished look in a lot less time.

How Do We Apply Epoxy Resin?

It’s pretty straightforward. You can apply three coats of epoxy resin in one day, building up layers much faster than traditional varnishing. After the third coat, let it cure for 24 hours. Then, apply three coats of varnish. And voila! In less than a week, you’ve got a wood trim that’s sure to impress.

Why Use Both Epoxy and Varnish?

Using epoxy and varnish together gives you a finish that’s not just beautiful, but durable too. The epoxy resin acts as a moisture barrier, protecting your wood from water damage. The varnish, on the other hand, provides a UV filter, protecting your wood from the sun’s rays.

Finish coatings like paint or varnish are applied over an epoxy barrier coat to not only enhance the surface but also protect the epoxy from sunlight. The finish coating extends the life of the epoxy moisture barrier, which in turn provides a stable base that extends the life of the finish coating. Together, they form a protective system far more durable than either coating by itself.

Protection from sunlight is a primary consideration in the selection of a finish coating. Long-term UV (ultraviolet) protection of the barrier coat depends on how well the finish coating itself resists UV and keeps its pigments or its shield of UV filters on the surface of the epoxy barrier coat. A high gloss finish reflects a higher proportion of the light hitting the surface than a dull surface. All other things being equal, a white (especially a glossy white) coating will last the longest.

Ready to Turn Heads at the Marina?

So, why not give it a shot? With this method, your boat’s well-varnished wood could be the talk of the marina. And the best part? You didn’t have to give up your entire summer to get it!