What is our best recommendation for finishing bright work in Sunny Florida? The big sticks hold up pretty well with spar urethane but they are most always covered on the trailer the sprit is another story. I didn't get a whole season out of those four coats. What will last well enough to not need much prep work at the spring fit out?
Quote:What is our best recommendation for finishing bright work in Sunny Florida? The big sticks hold up pretty well with spar urethane but they are most always covered on the trailer the sprit is another story. I didn't get a whole season out of those four coats. What will last well enough to not need much prep work at the spring fit out?
Hmm Best reccomendation is to store the boat in a garage.
Other than that, break the poiggy bank and get real marine varnish from a marine chandlery rahther than Minwax spar uerethane, then recoat beofre it gets uv burned.
Lot's of top end varnishes out there such as detco and others.
But really, Florida sun is a lot like micutariting into the wind. You have a real hard row to hoe on that one.
Best bet is to either cover it up when not sailing, resign yourself to recoating mid season, or opt for paint.
Hi Ray, The trouble with paint on spars down here is that it hides the rot until you put a finger through it. If you remember I had them painted previously.
The only trick to varnish in an extreme environment (Florida in August, the surface of the sun, etc) is sufficient number of coats to prevent UV damage to the wood. You'll loose a couple of coats a year down here, in your case, it was left with the first sealing coat and the second coat (4 coats) to protect the wood, after the sun burned away the top two coats. A couple of thin coats a year if the bright stuff is in direct sun most of the day. A minimum of 8 coats, better if it's 12 will provide you a stable enough base to keep the wood from UV derogation. Show boats I work on get coats two or more times a year.
Keeping the varnish clean and waxed helps a lot. Covering it is the only reasonable thing in these types of climates. I have several boats in my yard, each is covered with a 11 mil silver tarp. These keeps leaves, cats (most of the time) leaves and twigs, bird crap and the vast majority of UV (some does get through) off the boats. It also keeps my clean up effort down. The tarps last about a year and I can get the 20' x 40' ones for about 30 bucks from a guy I know. They aren't wrapped up tight, but are covered from waterline up with the tarp, some on simple PVC pipe frames, all have pass through ventilation. The bigger boats have small solar powered fans attached, to increase air circulation (very important here, unless you like mold and mildew) and all are dogged down with used gallon water jugs, filled with water. The jugs (which last about a year too) are tied with short lines to the grommets, providing weight to the edges of the tarp, maintaining a non flapping cover. During the hurricanes, they get a different treatment, but the tarps usually remain. Bright work kept this way will survive much longer, requiring only touch up. Insure the tarp doesn't chaff anywhere you don't want to repaint or varnish any time in the near future. I try to get them to land on the rub rails and hang vertically on the sides, with a ridge pole down the centerline. This tenting method keeps the tarp away from the boat, permits ventilation and is easily moved or removed for access.
Craig,
Over the years I've tried various spar varnishes and other products for UV exposure both here in the Pacific Northwest and in Hawaii. Same thing in Hawaii as in Florida except wood materials decay or grow very rapidly in the constant sunlight and humidity.
The one product that has stood up well for me in any outdoor marine environment is the Varathane Classic Exterior Oil Varnish. It has high UV content and is a nice golden glow with many coats. This was formerly mfg by Flecto and is really tough stuff. Not by Rustoleum and their forumulas were the basis for the Rustoleum marine line of paints and finishes. They offer an Exterior Oil finish that is also extremely high in UV protection and ti works well with recoating at least annually.
I've used it on everything from wooden outdoor furniture to front doors to spars and brightwork on boats. On horizontal surfaces with some wear occuring I will generally apply a minimum of 6-8 coats sprayed on. 4-6 brushed on. a few more on spars 8-12 coats. ON vertical surfaces a couple less but add to it at least once a year. This seems to do fine for between 5-7 years and still look really good. Then it is take it down and start over time.
I too recommend covering it up as PAR is suggeting With a sock to go over the bowsprit.
There is a good article on covering boats at the following with specifics on framwork to keep the cover off the boatitself to protect from chafing and unwanted wear. Also allows for good air circulation.
http://www.bosunsupplies.com/Cover.cfm
Thanks Barry. This stuff and a sock should do the trick. I have sufficient sunbrella left to do the sock. Thanks.