Q2: Depends on the varnish. Many of the marine grades (Z-Spar, Interlux) recommend their "proprietary" thinner. If you read the label for content, you may be able to substitute regular mineral spirits. I'm not that far yet so I can't help too much there. Q3: Are you wearing a full-face respirator, or a half-face with safety glasses or goggles? A full-face will always fog up. Glasses shouldn't fog up; goggles, even with the air vents in them, will fog up after a while and all you can do is stop, take them off, wipe them out, and go back at it.

: Well, it's a balmy 39* out today, if I wait for warm weather, I'll never get
: this kayak completed. Q1. I ordered one of the Rapid Pulse BackBands from
: CLC to put in my Pygmy GE. Any suggestions on the best way to attach this.
: (Please remember that I am that one who needs very simple, plain English
: instructions!) Q2. I'm nearly ready to varnish. I keep reading about
: thinning the varnish. Why, how, and with what? Q3. (You will all probably
: get a good chuckle out of this one) How are you supposed to wear eye
: protection and a respirator at the same time? My glasses fog up so much I
: can't see what I am sanding! Nancy