: I've started varnishing my Merganser 14W hybrid. I'm using Interlux Schooner
: varnish.
: I put the first coat on the deck in afternoon two days ago (Fri. its now Sun.
: AM) but
: the varnish is still a bit tacky --- and I had been hoping to put her in the
: water for the
: first time this weekend!!!

: Interlux claims Schooner varnish will be dry to the touch after 2 hours and
: ready for
: sanding after 16. This is not occuring for me!

: My two guesses as to the problem: 1) I applied too thick a coat (but I don't
: have noticable runs and sags).
: 2) It is too d**n humid!

: Any help/suggestions from you brightwork experts?

: ---Paul

You have a varnish that is not compatible with the epoxy you used. Epoxy takes weeks to totally cure. All the while the surface is producing a chemical residue that may not be compatible with all but a few varnish formulas. This is why it is best to talk with the epoxy maker to find out which brands (of course their own, but they will tell you others) will work with their curing epoxy.

Typically the first coat of varnish takes longer to harden on epoxy even when it is a compatible finish. The instructions on varnish can are for coating bare wood and subsequent coats over.

I have a friend who used Epihanes on his boat and he told me how wonderful it was, course, he used West System epoxy. When I tried some on my boat, System Three epoxy, it wasn't dry after five days.

Don't think you'll wait a week and varnish over. You even can have varnishes that appear dry that are incompatible. The way you'll know if that when you try sand with 220 the paper will clog instantly or form beads on the paper.

This why the "buy the cheapest varnish", advise is bad advise. Cheap materials always cost more in the work it takes to deal with them, their short life, and the work it takes to repair them.

Do yourself a favor. Get some medium steel wool and mineral spirits and remove the varnish you applied. Then find out from the epoxy maker which varnish will work and buy it.

All the best,

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