[C320-list] Alternative to Target Coatings?
Warren Updike
wupdike at hotmail.com
Mon Jun 26 10:35:07 PDT 2006
I tried a water based varnish I bought at Lowes. I think it was Olympic or another well-known brand. Then, I bought the Target product. For me, there was no comparison. Target Oxford Ultma BVR product was superior in application and final finish. It seemed to have more body then the other product. Do follow the recommendations for thinning the coats. I was very happy with the cabin table top that I refinished. I used the satin finish.
I recommend pouring out and thinning only that amount needed for one coat. Don't let it sit out as evaporation will cause the product to thicken and it will then dry too fast if used again without additional thinning.
You might want to experiment with the application technique. Target recommends a certain kind of foam brush or poly brush with short bristles. I could find neither. As the fiddles around the table make getting a clean start or finish stroke difficult, I was successful with a paint applicator pad. For refinishing the other interior parts, I might try using a paper towel or cheese cloth. This will yield a thinner coat, less likely to run on verticle surfaces. However, if you are removing the original finish, you should follow the mfgr instructions. Always experiment first on a non-critical surface.
I don't know what type of finish Catalina used: satin or gloss on the interior. I'm going to use what I have on other parts of the interior to see. First, I'll do the tops of the engine covers to see how it matches.
BTW, for anyone contemplating refinishing the cabin sole, I have two recommendations: 1) for the older models with plywood sole base, clean well the underside of the sole with a bleach/TSP mix to kill the mildew that may be there. Let dry well, then, coat the exposed plywood with epoxy to prevent the absorbtion of water and mildew. 2) Use a product suitable for the sole finish. I've heard good things about Ultimate Sole. I used Waterlox (waterlox.com) a tung oil wood finish and am very happy with that product. It gives a clear, bright finish without the heavy coats of a polyureathane. They have also a marine finish for exterior parts.
Warren & Pattie Updike
C320, #62, 1994, "Warr De Mar"
Frog Mortar Creek, Middle River
Chesapeake Bay
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