MyPaipoBoards Forums

I got a can of marine varnish. I have used it on 2 boards so far. Both still feel "soft" to me. I can put a fingernail dent in them very easy. I also can feel and hear that tacky sound when I move them off of something they have been leaning on for awhile. I have 4 coats on them and they have been drying for a month. Is this normal for marine varnish? Should I give another type of varnish a shot on the next two?

Did you let it dry 24 hours between coats? Also too think a coat will do it also. Or it is a bad batch.

18-24 hr for all coats..mostly 24...and if they are too thick a coats is 4 weeks expecting too much for complete cure?

If the can says to stir well, then do so.

A couple of times I've dealt with sticky topcoats by slathering on mineral spirits with a rag, and going over it lightly with 440 wet/dry paper....wear gloves. I think the evaporation of the solvent helps to oxygenate the sticky topcoat, or maybe it does something to my mind.

P.S. I should add that it was an oil-based varnish.

Also...I can't really tell if varnish is too thick, and in need of thinning simply by looking at it. But I can judge it by feel, like I'm having to pull too hard on the brush. Also not getting a long stroke out of a brush load. Maybe that's not too helpful, but it's true.

Don't thin the whole can of varnish. Just thin a small amount in a tuna can. And if you tinker with Japan Drier, then use it sparingly so you don't crackle the varnish. When in doubt....test your chemicals on scrap wood.

What brand of varnish are you using? I've heard stories that the low VOC reformulated thinner sold in California doesn't work with the traditional varnish you would get from a boat supply store. I've varnished a bunch of boards with Helmsman Spar Urethane from the hardware store, and it works fine. Only 4-6 hrs between coats and I've had no problem with complete drying or durability ,as long as I do a minimum of 4 coats. I haven't needed to use any thinner with the Helmsman.

Rust olium marine coating spar varnish

was it old ? I use helmans by minwax after 6 months I dump it

Brand new. I may have had thick coats. I never used thinner with it.