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Re: First varnish coat
By:Rob Macks
Date: 5/7/2001, 8:44 am
In Response To: First varnish coat (Ron Wiebe)

: I have some questions before I apply that first coat of varnish.
: 1. I have sanded the whole boat to 220 grit and it looks pretty fair.
: But I can see a few spots where I just touched the top of the glass, not
: sanded down into. Do I varnish anyway? Or will that show thru the varnish?

: 2. I heard you shouldn't use tack rags during the epoxy stages, but is it ok
: to use during the varnish stages?

: 3. I purchased 400 grit wet/dry sandpaper. When you say to use wet sand
: between coats, do you mean to actually use the paper wet? and can I sand
: after 24 hrs. between coats?,,,,,,,lotsa ????? huh?

: Thank You Very Much, Ron

The spots with exposed glass will absorb the varnish differently but after a couple coats should look fine. If you want to be meticulous you could apply resin to the spots and resand.

Getting rid of dust is the only way to ensure a good smooth varnish finish. I always use a tack cloth, wiped LIGHTLY over the surface prior to each coat of varnish.

I use 220 wet/dry paper to sand before and between coats of varnish. Water used in wet sanding lubricates and removes particals from the paper making it very efficent. I wrap the paper around a closed cell foam block to conform to the curved surfaces. Wet sanding is also nice because you don't have to wear a dust mask. You must wash off the sanding residue with clean water and a sponge, then dry with paper towels, NOT a rag which might leave lint.

All the best,

Rob Macks
Laughing Loon CC&K
www.LaughingLoon.com

Messages In This Thread

First varnish coat
Ron Wiebe -- 5/6/2001, 10:59 pm
Re: First varnish coat
Rob Macks -- 5/7/2001, 8:44 am
thanks Rob
Ron Wiebe -- 5/9/2001, 10:42 pm
Hatch magnets
Rob Macks -- 5/10/2001, 9:11 am
Re: thanks Rob
Rob Macks -- 5/10/2001, 8:17 am
Re: First varnish coat
Dave Houser -- 5/7/2001, 3:10 pm
Re: wet sanding
Tom-Atlanta -- 5/7/2001, 6:06 pm