inside varnish

JSmith · Post by **JSmith** » Fri Apr 03, 2009 3:19 pm

I know satin finish is very desirable inside the cabin but hand rails and moldings have washed out by all the port holes due to the sun. I heard satin varnishes don't have the uv protection and was wondering if any one has combined the two? Wonder if there would be a noticable difference if just the rails and molding tops were semi-gloss?

Hirilondë · Post by **Hirilondë** » Fri Apr 03, 2009 5:31 pm

I don't know that gloss has better UV protection, but it is harder. Often when people want a softer finish they will do the build up coats in gloss and just the last one or two in the satin. My personal choice for interiors is that large flat surfaces are satin and details are gloss. The glare of gloss on flat surfaces is just too much for me, but then some people like it. Do what you like, its your boat.

Rachel · Post by **Rachel** » Fri Apr 03, 2009 6:28 pm

This doesn't have anything to do with UV, but one thing I like about gloss in the cabin is that - in my experience - it is much more resistant to growing mold and mildew on the surface (I think because of the fewer micro-crevasses). Of course that may not be a problem for you, depending on your boat and climate.

Rachel

JSmith · Post by **JSmith** » Sat Apr 11, 2009 8:07 am

Thanks for the input- I think we'll go w/ semi-gloss for a buld up and then match the rest of the cabin with a satin finish.

Quetzalsailor · Post by **Quetzalsailor** » Sat Apr 11, 2009 8:47 am

Perhaps your Challenger was finished by LeComte (like our LeComte was...). A LeComte's interior finish was sprayed, then 'French polished', which is rubbed with pumice. The appearance is very like a satin finish but you can see the fine scratches. I recall from high school shop that we would spray lacquer and rub it out. What I don't know is what the finish in our LeComte is; the finish does not dissolve with lacquer thinner. Could be catylized lacquer; could be a varnish. I understand, though, that varnishes form a surface which you should not compromise, rather than a lacquer's uniform coating, which you can rub out.

In any case, I've taken to using exterior satin urethane for interior woodwork in our LeComte and did so in our previous boat. I'm not the craftsman that I'd like to be, so at its best, it looks darned good, but elsewhere, drips and thin spots need to be re-dealt-with.

My own taste is for the satin finish interior rather than gloss, and while the gloss trim idea sounds lovely, there's no way I'd want to spend that time.