Varnish with amber coloring

[Howie]

So I sanded the seats down to get as much of the old staining attempts off he wood, then wiped on (& off) two coats of Minwax Golden Oak. The color was in the ballpark but not close enough to match the canoe's ash thwart I had previously stripped & varnished (without stain). So I got some Minwax Polyshades Classic Oak (I didn't see a 'interior use' warning) and applied 2 coats. The color was a bit better, so I then applied 2 coats of Gleam marine varnish. Here's the result. Finally I can start caning.

 

[Dave Aukes]

Howie, this is a little late but it's from Jamestown Distributors web site.

Note that the term spar varnish is often used colloquially to describe any exterior grade varnish or poly finish. If you are looking for the most traditional finish possible, consider making your own varnish. Our JD Homemade Varnish Recipe is an old Down East deck coating formula traditionally used on wooden decks for schooners, fishing boats, and porch decks. You will need 1 qt of Turpentine, 1 qt Boiled Linseed Oil, 1/2 pt Pine Tar, and 1/2 pt Japan Drier. What results is a darker, amber finish. To customize the mixture, add more pine tar for a darker color or add less for a lighter color. Allow more drying time for the darker mixture.

Dave

 

[Howie]

Dave: Hey, thanks very much!

 

[Howie]

Howie, this is a little late but it's from Jamestown Distributors web site.

Note that the term spar varnish is often used colloquially to describe any exterior grade varnish or poly finish. If you are looking for the most traditional finish possible, consider making your own varnish. Our JD Homemade Varnish Recipe is an old Down East deck coating formula traditionally used on wooden decks for schooners, fishing boats, and porch decks. You will need 1 qt of Turpentine, 1 qt Boiled Linseed Oil, 1/2 pt Pine Tar, and 1/2 pt Japan Drier. What results is a darker, amber finish. To customize the mixture, add more pine tar for a darker color or add less for a lighter color. Allow more drying time for the darker mixture.

Dave

Umm... Dave... I've been thinking: Do you think I could add a little of one or more of the components you list above to the varnish I usually use (Totalboat Gleam) and get a usable, darker, varnish? I assume that component would be pine tar. Care to guess how much (%) I might safely add?

O... I just did a Google and was 'told' that adding pine tar to Gleam isn't recommended. However it said that I could add a coating of pine tar itself, and after it dries (>72 hours) I could add another coating of Gleam. That seem right? Or should pine tar only be applied to bare wood?

 

[dtdcanoes]

Howie, sounds scary to me. Who is advising AI ? How dry is dry ? What kind of bond will you get with the Gleam ? All sounds gnarly to me , but will look forward to your getting what you want. I wonder what stripping down the road will be like with real pine tar on bare wood. WOW !
Dave