Varnishing A Traveller

Post by **TerryG** » Wed Mar 16, 2005 2:35 pm

Does anybody know what colour varnish my 66 Traveller's wood would have been varnished origionally? Never having attempted this before i was going to sand the wood back slightly and re-varnish it as it is looking a bit past its best. I'm just not sure what to re-varnish it with, for that matter i dont know what type of wood it is!
Can anybody offer me some advice.
TQ!

Post by **bigginger** » Wed Mar 16, 2005 2:50 pm

I seem to remember that it's Ash - same as the bodies on Fender guitars. As for what varnish, I don't know, but there are other threads on the subject.

Post by **Vernon** » Wed Mar 16, 2005 3:15 pm

Don't use polyurethane yacht varnish as it will flake off. Microporous varnish is recommended to allow the wood to breathe. It should also have ultra violet filters to protect against sunlight. I used Sikkens Cetol HLS followed by Cetol Filter 7. It comes in various colours such as light oak and pine but not ash unfortunately.

Post by **Matt** » Wed Mar 16, 2005 3:25 pm

and where can you get it?

Post by **Stig** » Wed Mar 16, 2005 3:27 pm

As I recall the advice, don't you have to remove all the polyurathane before using microporous varnish? There was an article in Minor Matters last year about it I think...
I'd like to know as I've always used yacht varnish and, yes, it does flake off and need re-doing every year.

Post by **Vernon** » Wed Mar 16, 2005 3:29 pm

I got my Sikkens varnish in Brewers Aldershot branch. Yes, I did sand back to bare wood before applying the varnish.

Post by **Cam** » Wed Mar 16, 2005 4:09 pm

Contact Steve Foreman of 'Woodies'. He's the leading expert so will know. His advert is usually in the club magazine 'Minor Matters'

Post by **Vernon** » Wed Mar 16, 2005 5:24 pm

It was Steve Foreman that told me about Sikkens.

Post by **TerryG** » Wed Mar 16, 2005 5:57 pm

I'll have a look in the mag tonight and call him tomorrow. cheers guys (worst case i'll get some ronseal

)

Post by **simmitc** » Thu Mar 17, 2005 1:13 pm

Various "systems" available, such as the Sikkens. Sikkens from most builders merchants. Burgess Wood Sealer & Top Coat is simple to use, can be applied to wet (yes wet) wood and will go clear when it dries. Very quick to apply and dry, but will NOT withstand petrol, so be careful when filling up. Available from yacht chandlers, DIY stores, and I think that ESM sell it. I've started using Deks Ole D1 base and D2 top glaze. Very good, but time consuming to apply. Again, most yacht chandlers will supply.

As other have said, Yacht Varnish is NOT a good idea. Other options are teak oil or creosote (yes, seriously, but I think it's now banned under H&S interference). Whatever is chosen, it needs to be onto bare wood. Origianlly it would have been clear varnish, but then that's all they had at the time. Very much a question of horses for courses and personal preference - not to mention sore fingers from all that sanding

Post by **Kevin** » Thu Mar 17, 2005 3:45 pm

If going to the effort of srtipping back the wood give it a couple of coats of clear cuprinol 1st as this will give the wood the type of protection it had when new, also dulux also do a 2 part system varnish as well in a range of colours.