Touching up the woodwork

[Rob Waller]

Perhaps there's an existing thread on this somewhere, but I can't find one. What do people recommend to touch up the varnish on the woodwork? After just one season on a pontoon, my fenders have created worn patches on the gunwale (duct tape didn't really help). Is it wood stain or varnish?

I've just found these stainless steel protectors, and have ordered them - I'll report back on whether they fit: http://www.wearandtearpads.com/

By the way, they are £6.95 from the manufacturers but £12.95 from Force4.

[Julian Swindell]

Are you varnished or stained? I use Sikens Filter 7 which is easy to touch up and pretty tough in the first place. But it is not shiny, if that is what you want.

[Graham W]

The stuff that Julian recommends is standard on BayRaiders - or at least it was on mine.  http://www.amazon.co.uk/Sikkens-Translucent-Woodstain-Mahogany-SIKCF7PM1L/dp/B003Y3XH3W

There was a thread on this http://www.swallowyachtsassociation.org/smf/index.php/topic,533.msg3146.html#msg3146

[Julian Swindell]

Of course the simple answer if you want a strong anchoring point is to get a Baycruiser!

[Julian Swindell]

Woops, posted that last one on the wrong thread, should be about anchoring (I blame the weather, I'm short of vitamin D)

[Jonathan Stuart]

I wondered the same thing so had asked Matt and he confirms he still uses Sikkens Cetol Filter 7. Teak colour on hardwood, rubbing strake, gunwales, etc, and pine colour on spars.

[BobT]

Can any one provide some advice (other than "carefully") on how to avoid scratching the gel-coat when rubbing down the woodwork before touching up with Sikkens, especially around the rubbing strip on the BRe.

Bob
BRe Escape

[Rob Johnstone]

I used masking tape as a sacrificial strip to protect the hull whilst rubbing down the top and bottom faces of the rubbing strake on Vagabond - it was sort of successful - but the word "carefully" was still appropriate. Removing it, before applying new masking tape prior to painting was another matter.........I dod wonder if Gaffer tape would have been a better sacrificial strip but have yet to try it.

[maxr]

Gaffer tape varies greatly in quality and tack, but it's often a pretty blunt instrument. Some sticks hard enough to pull tufts of pile out of carpet and patches of paint off a stage (I've seen both), some has uneven tack (so paint might get under the edge) and some leaves a sticky residue on hard surfaces. Most is not specifically designed to be waterproof, although some is. Perhaps top quality masking tape might be the answer?