The 2 cabin boards near the engine came with the boat in a pretty bad shape, they were in need of some love. I decided the risk was very low to exercise my varnishing skills on these boards. The result happened to be way better than I expected.

Update March 2019. After this rainy winter and couple of leaks, it’s time to do the forward cabin floor board.

Tools & Chemicals

• Preparation:
  • stripping pad:  https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B000BPEE3S/ref=od_aui_detailpages00?ie=UTF8&psc=1
  • stripping brush: https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B001AW638K/ref=od_aui_detailpages00?ie=UTF8&psc=1
  • plastic knife: https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B001SBJIA8/ref=od_aui_detailpages00?ie=UTF8&psc=1
  • CitriStrip:  https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B000QFCP1G/ref=od_aui_detailpages00?ie=UTF8&psc=1
• Epoxy / Varnishing:
  • sandpaper: https://www.amazon.com/3M-SandBlaster-Between-Sandpaper-220-Grit/dp/B000BQRFDS/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1497385775&sr=8-1&keywords=3M-SandBlaster-Between-Sandpaper-220-Grit%2F
  • foam brushes: https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00002N6GB/
  • tack clothes: https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0049OP9FY/ref=ox_sc_act_title_4?smid=A1RVZMUSUX5400&psc=1
  • West system 105 epoxy resin: https://www.westsystem.com/105-epoxy-resin/
  • West System 207 clear coat hardener: https://www.westsystem.com/207-special-clear-hardener/
  • epifanes varnish: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B005ADWOUG/_encoding=UTF8?coliid=IKJEDNWCGIBJ7&colid=3BL9QML8Q7GIE

Preparation

• Pour the stripper on to the wood in a puddle
• Spread it initially with a brush
• Allow the stripper to “work” for 10-15 minutes
• Start to scrape with a 3″ flat putty knife
• Pile up the stripper/old varnish in the middle of the board
• Use a couple larger putty knives to remove the stripper/old Varnish
• Dispose of it in a shoebox with a plastic bag liner.
• Repeat the entire process anywhere from 3 to 5 more times.
• Once all or most of the varnish was removed clean the wood with acetone
• Allow to dry overnight and clean the wood with acetone again
• After completely drying lightly sand the wood with 220 grit paper
• Wipe it down with acetone again
• At this point it is ready for epoxy / varnish

Update March 2019. I replaced CitriStrip with Klean Strip for the forward board, way easier to apply.

Epoxy / Varnishing

Start with 4 coats of clear coat of epoxy. I usually apply the 4 coats of epoxy in less of 48 hours.

Continue with 4 coats of undiluted Epifanes Varnish.

Update March 2019. 2 years later the Epifanes Varnish was still ok, but added a bit of mineral spirit before to apply it.