A little wood help please

ampersat · 03-01-2004, 06:35 AM

So I finally got the Eastsider wet again (and not just out in the rain). While I was going around the boat making sure I had everything in order and wrapping up the boat at the end of the day, I noticed lots of small areas where my carefully applied coats of varnish had failed and let water in. Considering that I had varnished first, then bent the wood this kind of thing is to be expected. Also, when I got home, I noticed that the areas just ahead of the oarlocks had been rubbed quite abrasively by the rope wraps on my oars while we were sitting on anchor.

So, my question is this: will varnish stick on top of wood that has been oiled? When I checked with the company that still makes this boat, he said he just uses linseed oil on his rails. While I was tempted to do the same myself (actually, my thought was tung oil), I found that oils offer no UV protection and that the wood will grey over time from UV exposure. That's why I went with varnish in the first place. It contains UV inhibitors to keep the wood looking pretty. However, if I have to choose between the beauty of the wood or the overall protection of its integrity, I'm going to side with the latter. But can I have both?

James in Idaho · 03-01-2004, 06:53 AM

Amp:

I don't think you'll get varnish to stick to oiled wood. Welcome to the wonderful world of "bright work". It's not too bad, you just have to plan a light sanding and reoiling every year. I know Ray Heater (Ray's River Dories) recommends "Daly's Seafin Teak Oil", but there are several marine grade teak oils out there.

Hoosier Daddy · 03-01-2004, 06:54 AM

Don't know if varnish will stick to oiled wood. You may look into something like a Danish oil that starts as an oil but hardens when it sets up. I don't know about UV protection. You may be stuck with sanding down past the oil and re-doing it.

Abalone · 03-01-2004, 07:11 AM

I forwarded your Post to the Rot Doctor in Seattle. These guys are experts on the subject of Wood Boat finishing and restoring. I will post their Answer when I get it Via Email.

They have a website you can find with a Google search.

When I restored the Duds Plug their Technical advice was essential.

[ 03-01-2004, 11:53 AM: Message edited by: Pete ]

Hoosier Daddy · 03-01-2004, 08:51 AM

Just talked to a friend who lurks here. He used to build cabinets too. He says that varnish will stick over the oil. So you should be able to sand it, and reapply.

For the oarlocks. Have you considered something more durable like epoxy, or maybe a section of bedliner material, or even some plastic or wood cover of some kind just to shield the area? I could see taping it off and applying something like bedliner and it would look pretty good if you were neat about it.

Abalone · 03-01-2004, 09:07 AM

Here is the reply from the Rot Doctor:

I generally don't like oiled wood. As you say, it provides no UV
protection. For the areas where bending has broken the bond of the
varnish, re-varnishing should work. Once done, you should get no further
cracking.

For the areas where you are getting abrasion, there is no good answer
except to provide some type of abrasion protection. A piece of rounded
stainless rubrail would be what I might consider. Placed properly it
would keep the oars from rubbing directly on the wood, and would not be
unattractive.

I hope this is helpful. Please let me know if you have further questions.

Doc

--
The Rot Doctor

One question that I didn't answer previously. No, varnish will not stick
to freshly oiled wood. If water will bead on the wood, varnish will not
stick.

Doc

One other thing: Use a Hi Gloss Varnish for a longer lasting finish. Semi Gloss will not weather as well as Hi Gloss.

[ 03-01-2004, 11:53 AM: Message edited by: Pete ]

ampersat · 03-01-2004, 10:48 AM

Thanks for the info, Abalone and others. It is an understatement to say I was aghast when I saw what had happened to my beautiful woodwork after a brief period of weather exposure. However, once the nice dry days of summer come along, I'll be out there doing some sanding and touch up here and there to make it pretty again. Not sure how I'm going to deal with the oar situation. Anyone know where I can get stainless steel sheet or plating? All the other fasteners on the boat are stainless so it would fit right in with the look and not stand out too much.