I will be throughly doing my wood work over the next 6 months and would like some recommendations on what to use
All Ive done so far is a quick sand and applied two coats of Sikkens HLSe light oak to help preserve it over the last 5 months
Any advice appreciated 
I was thinking of this from Bunnings
Cabots exterior clear marine grade
www.bunnings.com.au/cabot-s-2l-gloss-exterior-clear-timber-finish_p1522588
another was Epifanes not sure if you can get in Vic yet
I am going to try a little bit of Feast Watson Spar Marine clear high gloss varnish with UV after a sand and scrub with Feast Watson Woodclean see what it looks like
I used all different sorts of varnish in the search for the perfect product while maintaining the timber Folkboat that I owned for 25 yrs. By far the best product I used was Wattyl Weathergard Marine Varnish. Lasted far longer than anything else I tried. It's beautiful gear.
Prep of course is the key to good varnish work. Use a weak solution of oxalic acid if timber has been let go and get plenty of coats of varnish on. You'll need to be careful doing it in winter.
Select to expand quoteclaverton said...
I used all different sorts of varnish in the search for the perfect product while maintaining the timber Folkboat that I owned for 25 yrs. By far the best product I used was Wattyl Weathergard Marine Varnish. Lasted far longer than anything else I tried. It's beautiful gear.
Prep of course is the key to good varnish work. Use a weak solution of oxalic acid if timber has been let go and get plenty of coats of varnish on. You'll need to be careful doing it in winter.
Thanks Claveton.
When you say "weak solution of oxalic acid" what composition do you mean. I have to tackle my exterior timber and seating this winter and will need to do some preparation before varnishing. I have seen so many products so appreciate your Wattyl recommendation. What is your formula for the weak oxlic acid and any precautions when using?
I was thinking after I posted that that the ''weak'' adjective was unnecessary. Just use enough oxalic acid so that it dissolves in a solution in warm water. Say a couple of tablespoons in a couple of litres should be more than enough. Use rubber gloves and away you go with a scrubbing brush and the acid will lift out the dirt and stains from the timber.
Make sure you give the timber a rinse off afterwards to remove traces of the acid.
Some people like to dilute the first few coats of varnish with turps but I preferred to get straight into it with full undiluted coats. Perhaps of the timber was very dry I might dilute the first coat but usually not. I'd put additional coats on 24 hours apart usually without sanding in between. If I did feel the need to give it a sand it'd be very light sand with very fine paper. If sanding then give it get a quick wipe down afterwards with a clean rag and some turps to get rid of any dust. As mentioned before, a lot easier job in the summer time. I always tried to get at least 5 or 6 coats on for stuff that was out in the sun.
Once you get the prep sorted and then several good coats on the trick then is to just touch it up say annually with a light sanding and two or three coats. This is a hell of a lot easier than letting it go and having to give it the full varnish strip job with a heat gun and/or paint stripper which is a laborious job.
I bought a 20kg bag of oxalic acid on ebay the other day for $10! A lot cheaper than Bunnings. Should last several lifetimes.
