Walter T Posted May 30, 2018 Report Posted May 30, 2018 OK guys and gals what is the most durable long lasting finish for polyester fabric? I like the look of translucent finishes and am concerned that they may not hold up as well as paint. What would you folks recommend? I had a wood boat and it required annual sanding and touch ups, is this likely to be the same? Quote
Kudzu Posted May 30, 2018 Report Posted May 30, 2018 Keep it inside out of the sun and it really won't matter. UV is your enemy and what damages the finish. Paint is probably the most druable and easiest to touch up. But if you used a clear and kept it stored inside I doubt there is any real difference in life. Quote
Walter T Posted May 30, 2018 Author Report Posted May 30, 2018 Awesome! Are there any brands in particular that one could recommend? Thank you Walter T Quote
Abyssdncr Posted May 30, 2018 Report Posted May 30, 2018 Walter, What fabric are you using? My answer would change depending on what you use, not from a durability standpoint, because I think it's a toss-up, but from an "effectiveness of sealing" perspective. If you're using the economy fabric, I believe you'll get a much better seal in fewer coats with less hastle using spar varnish from the local BBS. If you're going with the premium fabric, I'd go the paint route. I did two painted boats with the economy and one of them still has pinholes somewhere and the other took spray on fill primer to get a bunch of spots. With the varnished one, three coats on the bottom, two on the top - good to go and doesn't leak a drop. The main thing with the varnish is to apply it as sparingly as possible at first so you don't get runs and drips that go through, because every application error will be visible from both directions... Hope this helps! Quote
Walter T Posted May 30, 2018 Author Report Posted May 30, 2018 I haven't purchased my fabric yet. It was recommended that I use an 8 ounce polyester because of the ease of application. Now I don't know if that means it is an economy fabric or not, this is my first boat. What determines economy fabric. Quote
Abyssdncr Posted May 31, 2018 Report Posted May 31, 2018 21 hours ago, Walter T said: I haven't purchased my fabric yet. It was recommended that I use an 8 ounce polyester because of the ease of application. Now I don't know if that means it is an economy fabric or not, this is my first boat. What determines economy fabric. http://www.kudzucraft.net/Uncoated-fabrics/ Skip the "economy" fabric and save yourself lots of headaches - the cost savings really isn't worth it in the long run. Quote
Erik Newman Posted June 19, 2018 Report Posted June 19, 2018 I'm thinking of doing a clear/translucent finish on my boat too (I have the premium fabric). Would marine spar varnish be flexible enough? Quote
Walter T Posted June 19, 2018 Author Report Posted June 19, 2018 I'm working on the same thing and will be giving Rust-oleum Marine Spar varnish a try after reading a good review by someone that knows a whole lot more than me. I will be picking up my varnish on Thursday so we'll see............ Wally Quote
Kudzu Posted June 19, 2018 Report Posted June 19, 2018 What ever you buy just try it on scrap first. Seems sort of obvious but a lot of people don't think to do this. I expect Spar Varnish will work just fine. Just make sure whatever you use has UV protection and is meant to be used outdoors. Quote
Walter T Posted June 22, 2018 Author Report Posted June 22, 2018 OK folks; I just picked up my spar varnish and was wondering if I should thin the first couple of coats out a little so it will soak in better. Thank you Wally Quote
Hirilonde Posted June 23, 2018 Report Posted June 23, 2018 If it really is spar varnish then it is an oil based product and should work well. It will also have very good UV protection. Spar is often added to the label out of tradition, from when the spars on a wooden boat might be the only wood varnished. It is meaningless today. Read the label, if urethane, or polyurethane are in the description it is not varnish. If indoor is in the description, it is not varnish. Varnish is an over used word when in fact it is a very specific product. I would thin the first coat as Jeff suggests for paints and not thin after. 1 Quote
Walter T Posted June 24, 2018 Author Report Posted June 24, 2018 It is labeled as Marine spar-urethane with an oil modified-urethane and 49.5 percent solids so, it's not the real deal but, I will be using it and we'll see how it goes. Thanks for all the help. Wally Quote
Hirilonde Posted June 24, 2018 Report Posted June 24, 2018 Walter, that is definitely an exterior product, and should work well. I would not use it on wood parts of a boat. The big advantage to real varnish is refinishing. It is easy to remove with heat for a total refinish and sands easily for repairs. Urethanes and polyurethanes do neither well. Quote
Walter T Posted June 25, 2018 Author Report Posted June 25, 2018 So.... What would you suggest I use for the wood, brands?? I did a search for real varnish and there's bajillions of them that may or may not be (real) but then, most of the wood will be under the skin with only a little showing around the combing, floor boards and a small transom. Thank you Walter Quote
Hirilonde Posted June 25, 2018 Report Posted June 25, 2018 I would, and did use Tung oil. You are never going to refinish your frame unless you re-skin it also. The thought of sanding a frame, and not abrading the lashings is a major deterrent to any other finish IMO. Pettit Z-Spar and McCloskey are the brands I use on the brightwork of my Lapwing, and I have a bit to do. 1 Quote
Walter T Posted June 25, 2018 Author Report Posted June 25, 2018 Beautiful boat!! I will go with Tung oil. Thank you Walter Quote
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