Swim platform with one coat of Varnish

[Vincentc]

I've completed construction of section one of the new swim platform and applied the first coat of varnish. I decided to paint the underside with Brightside ( Hatteras white ) to save maintenance and just varnish the topside. I am pretty pleased with the result, though the white underside gives a different look.

The platform is constructed of Sapele 2.5 cm thick and ripped to 3 cm widths with 4 cm wide spacers. It is all glued with filled epoxy and attached with 18 ga. stainless brads.

http://s1123.photobucket.com/albums/l554/vjcast/Swim Platform thru first coat of varnish/

 

[bigbill]

looks good vincent, but be careful on that thing when wet. it will be slippery

 

[the kuz]

Swim platform on 36C gets real wet. After varnish not holding up very well on the swim platform, I started using Bristol 2 part - 4 to 5 coats on the swim platform. Lasts about 4 years between applications. I'm a big varnish fan for brightwork, but Bristol works great and lasts longer on ladders and swim platforms. Other 2 part epoxy clear coats may also be OK.

Just my experience in the 20 + years with this 36C.

 

[Vincentc]

Thanks for the advice.
I was thinking that with the openings it may not be that slippery, but you are probably right. I just put on the second coat of varnish. Just my luck, the varnish work is turning out great, and I will probably have to spoil it with some non-skid.

Your experience with 2 part make sense; however I imagine I would have to remove the 2 coats of Interlux Schooner just applied.

The weather is beautiful, children are off for spring break. I intend to attach the platform tomorrow and splash the boat.

Tomorrow is another day.

 

[TROUBLE]

Vincent,
When I varnished my stairs going to the salon and the gally, I put a couple of coats of a satin finish varnish (interlux 60) on the step pads over the multiple coats of regular varnish. I made them a lot less slippery and the wood still looks great. By the way your platform looks outstanding and I especially like the idea of painting the bottom white.

Art

 

[yachtsmanbill]

Thanks for the advice.
I was thinking that with the openings it may not be that slippery, but you are probably right. I just put on the second coat of varnish. Just my luck, the varnish work is turning out great, and I will probably have to spoil it with some non-skid.

Your experience with 2 part make sense; however I imagine I would have to remove the 2 coats of Interlux Schooner just applied.

The weather is beautiful, children are off for spring break. I intend to attach the platform tomorrow and splash the boat.

Tomorrow is another day.

Strategically mask off some areas and lay some varnish down with white silica sand (sparingly). Remove tape and ad two more full coats on everything. The judges will never see it! ws

 

[kwerges]

We've used a clear non-skid tape in the past with great results. The clear tape takes on the wood color and tinting when applied firmly. Just a thought...

 

[kelpy]

You can apply a couple of coats of AwlBrite after the varnish has dried/cured for 3 or 4 weeks - no sooner or the varnish will lift. It will be very slippery though.
The varnish will need recoating every two or three months on a swimstep unless you can dry it off every time it gets some salt on it. I've been down that road. Two coats of AwlBrite over the spar varnish should last a year before you need to sand it and apply one new coat.
The silica sand in the AwlBrite between the first and second coat is a good idea. Tape off the nonskid areas and apply the AwlBrite and immediately cover the area with sand. Dont sprinlkle it on or it will be uneven. Cover it completely. After the AwlBrite dries overnight, hose off the excess sand, let dry 24 hrs and apply the final coat over the entire swimstep. It will look great.
The clear nonskid tape works good too. It won't last as long though and will start to lift on the edges after the sun works its magic.

 

[kelpy]

I should have added that you should try a test piece of teak with different nonskid techniques to see what you like best. I like the full heavy coverage but many like the lite sprinked look.