Blotchy Peterborough

[Splinter]

I am racing to finish the exterior of the 1946 Peterborough in time for assembly (leaving this Wednesday.....!) I noticed when I stripped the little remaining original finish off it that it was a remarkably blotchy boat. I stripped, washed down with TSP, Sanded with 80 grit and thoroughly vacuumed and wiped with dry fleecy cloth. I didn't want to stain it so last night I applied one coat of Orange Shellac figuring that it would get it closer to it's original color (it did). It still looked blotchy. Today I sanded it with 150 grit and vacuumed it and wiped it down with a soft cloth. Man, It still looks blotchy. Am I being too picky? Should I give it another coat of orange shellac? Would that help? Should I just accept that along with all the other dents and dings in a well used, well worn boat, this could be part of the bruising and I should just accept it and move on to marine varnish? It's so much work and but, such a nice boat, I really want it to look as good as it can. Advise?

 

[jchu]

Is it an all wood Peterborough?

I just spent a long time doing one and when it came to finishing the hull I started to sand a bit, and decided not to really grind it, leaving nicks and dings in it, mostly to keep the material. Part of it's demise was a loss of material from someone else's sanding. Although it was just a real wreck anyway. Also I had to use varnish during the construction phase, and for most of it, I didn't have the sense to use some mineral spirits to wipe excess off where I could, so it looks somewhat blotchy. The boat was 90 years old, it's suppose to look like an old boat. It looks wonderful. Send a picture, maybe it is more extreme than I'm thinking.

Regards
Jeff

 

[Splinter]

Moved forward with no advice

Since no one had anything to suggest, I went inside the architectural woodwork part of my brain and went from boat restoration thinking to wood finishing thinking instead. "What would a finisher tell me?" The answer would probably be "You need to apply a toner coat". (Definition: transparent or semi-transparent pigmented topcoat used to even the color or tone of the wood) Went to the hardware store and got a can of Minwax "Stain and Polyureathane in one step" Natural Cherry, satin sheen. Somewhat dubious but, I can always get it off again.... I applied one coat, very easy to apply. It did even it out more and low and behold almost an identical match to the existing original interior as well ! So after drying, I sanded quickly with 150, then put on the marine varnish. Now that it's all done and sitting in the outdoor warmth, it looks pretty dang good and I would even say to others facing a blotchy exterior problem that this will do the trick. Now I just have to finish the topsides of the gunwales and also put that gleaming restored and honed copper stem band back on. And it's off for a two day sprint to Peterborough. You can all see it there.

 

[Dan Lindberg]

S,

How will/does the poly coat work with the marine varnish in protecting the wood from the UV? And/or will the varnish protect the poly so it doesn't fail?

"Minwax "Stain and Polyureathane"

Dan

 

[Splinter]

No Uv

UV protectants are additives that slow the process, not stop it. Nothing stops UV from taking it's toll on things. UV protectants are additives that start to break down after about 6 months. This is not my main concern. The canoe will be in sunlight appox 30 hours per year. Not enough to worry me. I am sure, the original owner in 1946 did not consider it and neither am I. The intercoat adhesion between the poly and the marine varnish looks good. Confidence is high. Forward....

 

[Dan Lindberg]

What about the pics???

As for the finish, I was thinking about the discussion from the Interlux rep, where he described the different failure modes of the 2 finishes, but with little exposure, your probably right, no concern.

Dan

 

[Splinter]

No photos please

Even if the canoe would allow itself to be photographed, I doubt that I'd get them posted. While most of you are speeding along the information superhighway, I am limping along with a three legged mule on a gravel path. You'll have to see her in person at Assembly. Sorry.