The most accurate answere is not to helpful: It depends. It depends on the epoxy you use and the varnish you use, where you are using it.

I have heard of people putting varnish on wet epoxy with success, but at a minimum you should wait until the epoxy is hard. With no/low blush epoxies you can probably varnish immediately. I've successfully varnished within a few days of the final coat of epoxy. However, waiting a month probably won't hurt and may save you from having to sand off the varnish. Sanding of the varnish is probably the worst you need to worry about and you will probably know after applying the second coat whether it is needed. The second coat may turn into aligator skin if there is a problem.

> I'm getting real antsy to go out and paddle this guillemot. Still a few
> minor things to do:

> Fill the weave of the outer seam tape and fair it in. Mount foot pegs.
> Attach the seat and back strap. Fill the fiberglass patch I had to put on
> the bottom and fair it. Maybe add a second reinforcing layer of glass on
> the bottom (the stems are already done). Bore the end holes for the grab
> loops. Epoxy on the compass mount. Final sanding. And of course, varnish.

> Given the minor epoxy jobs I have left, how long to I need to give this
> before varnishing? This is being built in my basement with the temp
> between 65 and 70.

> I had hoped to be able to paddle this new years day, but that is
> approaching way too fast for all these little jobs. Most need to cure
> before I can rotate the kayak to work on the next little job.

> Thanks in advance,

> Woody