So, am I an idiot?

[tjshuler]

Took mast home for the winter. Stripped all of the old white paint off of it. Beautiful mahogany underneath. Putting sealer, epoxy, and then varnish on top. Doing the same to pilot house doors and wing doors. Nervous that the new natural finish won't hold up properly. We are in Michigan, so the sun is less, but it still has amazing ability to degrade a finish.

 

[SEVEN]

Why epoxy? Urathane is a much better for exterior use.

 

[Pascal]

Epoxy works well to seal the wood (I like west 207 with extra uv) but then you need to add protection like clear Awlgrip or varnish

Only concern in your description would be to make sure the epoxy will work with the sealer you mentioned

Another alternative to epoxy / varnish is to use Awlwood (primer plus clear) Easy to apply and no sanding in between. Toy can recooat in just a few hours so the project doesn't last forever

 

[tjshuler]

Epoxy first coat did bubble up a bit over the sealer. Guessing they are not 100% compatible. Sanded down the bubbles, and the Admiral is applying another coat while I am at work today. If it bubbles again, probably will have to take it down to bare wood and try a different sealer. We are using West. Seems like it will protect the wood very well. Varnish to protect the epoxy. and an additional coat every year or two.

 

[oscarvan]

http://www.smithandcompany.org/varnishpriming.html

 

[jim rosenthal]

Try Nautithane Plus.