Varnishing Your Boat

Providing your paintwork is sound, varnishing can be a cost-effective way of restoring your boat to its previous lustre, avoiding the need for a full repaint. In this short video John demonstrates the pros and cons of this technique and lets you judge the outcome.

[@kevinroberts6490]

Varnished my boat this week, looks amazing.
Thanks for your help

[@acropolisnow9466]

beautiful job!

[@chalk6761]

Satisfying John.

[@freshmessrecordings1448]

Thanks John

[@sue-arlenebury8645]

can you add varnish as soon as you have given the boat a complete new paint job, or do you have to wait for the paint to be a few weeks or months old?

[@paulhughes6764]

thanks mate

[@danonthecut2351]

John great video, question for you if I may. I'll be buying a pre loved boat and a repaint will be in order. I have an big interest in signwriting and I'll be doing the work myself and a job I'm really looking forward to. I use 1-Shot Enamel paints and wondered if you've ever varnished over it or had issues with 1 Shot? Regards Dan

[@davidlynch290]

My grandfather was a Coach Painter and I have inherited some brushes in linseed oil and what looks like very, very fine powered gold. Could you tell me whether this is gold and what it is used for

[@carolbarnard8906]

hi probably bronzing powder which can be used for lots of different jobs, added to varnish to make a sort of gold paint used in pin stripping, sometimes it can be applied over gold size (glue) to give a gilded effect hope this helps
regards john barnard

[@markhalsey7890]

John - perhaps make clear that you should use a UV resistant type varnish because there are plenty of rubbish ones that will yellow with UV and flake off.

[@noelrigby2561]

do you use the same varnish to lacquer your brassware please? if not what would you suggest?

[@JohnbarnardBiz]

Hi
I have not used it on brass work but a friend has with no Ill effects as yet. It was done as a test so time will tell as to the performance

[@ryderducan]

is this necessary when putting on a coach enamel

[@JohnbarnardBiz]

hi
i would use it as a means to lift old paintwork, as it needs to be reapplied every 2 to 3 years

[@narrowboatlane2241]

Would varnishing a freshly painted boat have any benefits?

[@JohnbarnardBiz]

hi i would tent to leave varnishing until the paint has had ample time to fully harden off, weeks not days as for benefits it will in most cases help to protect the paint from the effects of weather which is the main reason behind fading and loss of colour, but remember that this benefit is off set against the need for repeating the process every 2 to 3 years hope this helps regards john

[@narrowboatlane2241]

John Barnard Ltd. Thanks John. One final question, quite a few of my aquqintances sing the praises of a product called polytrol and owatrol.. as a pro would you recommend use of these products or do the have a detrimental effect on the paint over time?

[@JohnbarnardBiz]

hi the use of products added to paint will alter the make up i will only use products from the manufacturers as these will be made for inclusion in their products, that said in the conditions that i paint i dont often need too ,
remember that any addition to to the paint that has the effect of thinning or easing the flow will reduce the dry film thickness which may lead to the need for additional coats to allow for this.
getting a super flat finish with flowing products is ok as long as additional coats are applied

[@freshmessrecordings1448]

What varnish are you using

[@JohnbarnardBiz]

Fresh Mess Recordings
hi its Craftmaster clear 98% reflective gloss varnish

[@sharkhunt9476]

🎃 My wife lost her luster, what can I do to make her new again. Should I dip her in a bucket of lacquer?

[@timwingham8952]

Whilst she's drying get some spelling tuition.

[@j.vincentlee9578]

Varnish... is that what they call clear coat in the States?

[@carolbarnard8906]

hi yes thats it

[@themyster1747]

Where about is your work shop John

[@JohnbarnardBiz]

DEBDALE WHARF MARINA

[@themyster1747]

+John Barnard Ltd. cheers John.might bring the boat up some time