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The Wipe Down

One part science, five parts experimentation. Every wood boat veteran has their secret recipe for a showy finish. Share your trials and triumphs.

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tuobanur
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The Wipe Down

Post by tuobanur » Mon Apr 14, 2014 9:33 am

I am at the point to where i'm about to put the first coat of varnish on my boat (YAHOOO!!), its been sealed and sanded and before I start I need to wipe it down with an ammonia/water mix and then tack cloth. My question, what type cloth should I use when wiping down with the ammonia mix, is cheese cloth or an old tee shirt they way to go?
Terry
1941 Model 101 (16') Deluxe Runabout "Miss Dot"

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maritimeclassics
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Re: The Wipe Down

Post by maritimeclassics » Mon Apr 14, 2014 12:16 pm

I have never used ammonia and water but am curious where you found out about that and why. I have always used the thinner that would be used with the varnish and a paper towel. It dries fast and I know it is always compatible with what ever i am putting on. Then I tack cloth and varnish.
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tuobanur
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Re: The Wipe Down

Post by tuobanur » Mon Apr 14, 2014 2:46 pm

I'm using Pettit varnish, noted on the can it recommends using ammonia.
I would think that a paper towel would come apart as you wipe down, no?
Terry
1941 Model 101 (16') Deluxe Runabout "Miss Dot"

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steve bunda
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Re: The Wipe Down

Post by steve bunda » Mon Apr 14, 2014 5:44 pm

I use old well washed T shirts and thinner, then tack cloths lightly not to transfer wax, then feel boat by hand for dirt,grit , residue, ect.

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Re: The Wipe Down

Post by evansjw44 » Mon Apr 14, 2014 8:12 pm

I definately would not use water with anything in it. I wouldn't use water at all. If there is any moisture left on the wood the varnish will either blush or not stick. I use alcohol to wipe down. It evapoated fast. The old timers used naptha (white gas). It also evaporates fast. You can use some of the cleaning solvents car finishers use to degrease and remove wax.
Jim Evans

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Re: The Wipe Down

Post by charlesquimby » Tue Apr 15, 2014 7:04 am

Denatured alcohol, cotton diaper. (No jokes, please) CQ

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maritimeclassics
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Re: The Wipe Down

Post by maritimeclassics » Tue Apr 15, 2014 7:56 am

I take 3 pieces of paper towel joined and fold them up. Put thinner on them to make it moist and wipe down the boat turning the paper towel as you go. We work around the boats all day and put our hands on them especially when we are getting close to final coats and working on the inside. This is just security to me that I get all of the oil from peoples hands and an other stuff cleaned off the boat. I used cloth years ago but it left lint behind, then there is the issue of combustion of the rag and what to do with it. When i'm done I take the paper towel and hang it over the trash can and either take them out side at the end of the day or being a wood burner for heat I pitch them in the firebox.
Family member of Chris Craft founder
Owner of Maritime Classics
http://www.maritimeclassics.com
Ph# 231-486-6148

Restoration Projects:
1936 25' Gar Wood Custom
1947 Ventnor Hydroplane
1957 17' Deluxe Runabout
1948 25' Chris Craft Sportsman Twin
1959 19' Sliver Arrow Hull #75
1929 26' Chris Craft Custom Runabout
1937 25' Chris Craft Custom Runabout

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John DeVries
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Re: The Wipe Down

Post by John DeVries » Wed Apr 16, 2014 7:53 am

I stopped using tack cloths after the 3rd or 4th warning about “wax transfer”. Now, it’s a rolled up ball of cheesecloth that’s been dabbed with Epifanes. Just enough to make it tacky. This way, the “tack” in the cloth is completely compatible with the varnish being used.

Sanding between coats is done wet to cut down on dust. The slurry is removed with a wet towel (water), followed with lacquer thinner, then the cheesecloth. The last thing over the surface before the next coat goes down is my hand. To me, it’s the best way to find the little stuff you can’t see. Even with all of this, the last coat is sanded with 2000 grit, machine polished, and 3M Hand Glazed.

John DeVries

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Re: The Wipe Down

Post by evansjw44 » Wed Apr 16, 2014 8:54 am

Guess I never thought about the wax in tack cloths. I'll have to rethink my final cleaning step.
Jim Evans

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steve bunda
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Re: The Wipe Down

Post by steve bunda » Wed Apr 16, 2014 9:38 am

Yep, use tack cloth really soft , no pressure, glide over surface.

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maritimeclassics
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Re: The Wipe Down

Post by maritimeclassics » Wed Apr 16, 2014 11:03 am

I've never had problems with the wax but like Steve said, "use tack cloth really soft. In some situations I will tack cloth after a thinner wash then tack ahead of myself as I varnish. You just need to make sure the thinner is evaporated which does not take long. I never heard anyone using lacquer thinner seems a little aggressive on varnish. Seems everyone does things a little different though.
Family member of Chris Craft founder
Owner of Maritime Classics
http://www.maritimeclassics.com
Ph# 231-486-6148

Restoration Projects:
1936 25' Gar Wood Custom
1947 Ventnor Hydroplane
1957 17' Deluxe Runabout
1948 25' Chris Craft Sportsman Twin
1959 19' Sliver Arrow Hull #75
1929 26' Chris Craft Custom Runabout
1937 25' Chris Craft Custom Runabout

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John DeVries
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Re: The Wipe Down

Post by John DeVries » Wed Apr 16, 2014 11:47 am

I should have qualified the lacquer thinner business. The one time I used it on a sanded Z-Spar refresher coat over an existing Epifanes finish, it lifted the Z-Spar completely. It never touched the Epifanes underneath. I've stayed with Epifanes since that.
John

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Doug P
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Re: The Wipe Down

Post by Doug P » Wed Apr 16, 2014 12:41 pm

John DeVries wrote:I stopped using tack cloths after the 3rd or 4th warning about “wax transfer”. Now, it’s a rolled up ball of cheesecloth that’s been dabbed with Epifanes. Just enough to make it tacky. This way, the “tack” in the cloth is completely compatible with the varnish being used.

Sanding between coats is done wet to cut down on dust. The slurry is removed with a wet towel (water), followed with lacquer thinner, then the cheesecloth. The last thing over the surface before the next coat goes down is my hand. To me, it’s the best way to find the little stuff you can’t see. Even with all of this, the last coat is sanded with 2000 grit, machine polished, and 3M Hand Glazed.

John DeVries

Hey John, What 3M Hand glaze have you found best?....I see a couple
I have used silk over the surface before the next coat....pulling the whole piece lightly like a veil

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John DeVries
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Re: The Wipe Down

Post by John DeVries » Wed Apr 16, 2014 1:45 pm

Doug,

The 3M Hand Glaze I use is:
P/N 05990 - quart size, clear bottle with tan glaze
P/N 39007 - pint size, black bottle

I think they are the same formulation. The quart size also shows up on the web in a bright yellow bottle.

John

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Doug P
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Re: The Wipe Down

Post by Doug P » Wed Apr 16, 2014 3:55 pm

Thanks John. I have been using the pint size.
Doug

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Re: The Wipe Down

Post by Tightline5 » Wed Apr 16, 2014 9:44 pm

I am surprised that no one has mentioned 333 as a wipe down. That is the only thing I would use. Compatible with all the stains and varnishes, and recommended by all of them. Just a thought.
Phil Jones

1948 US Plywood Executive Runabout Hull #1 "WeldWood"
1954 Racing Runabout R-496
1957 Deluxe Runabout D-17-2062
"MISBEHAVIN"

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John DeVries
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Re: The Wipe Down

Post by John DeVries » Thu Apr 17, 2014 5:54 am

Phil,

Is that the PPG Cleaner/Surfactant? Looking at the tech sheet, it does sound a lot more "people friendly" than lacquer thinner. How does it work on fisheyes? Last summer I did a '57 Coronado (refresher varnish & paint) and I swear somebody dumped a whole bottle of sun screen on the rear deck and let it dry. Way too much time spent making that look presentable. Always looking for new products and methods to get the job done easier and better.

John

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tkhersom
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Re: The Wipe Down

Post by tkhersom » Thu Apr 17, 2014 6:29 am

I use tack cloths all the time and have not had a problem that I am aware of. :?

Than again I am an amateur working on user boats not show boats.

In the words of John in Va "Go Boating!" :mrgreen:

Troy in ME
Troy in ANE - Former President CCABC

1957 CC 21' Continental "Yorktown" (Mom's boat)
https://www.chris-craft.org/boats/22625/
1985 Formula 242LS "Gottago"
1991 Formula 36PC "Band Aids"

Life Is Too Short To Own An Ugly Boat

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tuobanur
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Re: The Wipe Down

Post by tuobanur » Thu Apr 17, 2014 10:53 am

Thanks guys for all the info.
I finished wiping down the boat last night with the ammonia/water solution using heavy blue shop towels. I will start the first coat of varnish Friday after tack clothing, will let you guys know how it goes.
Terry
1941 Model 101 (16') Deluxe Runabout "Miss Dot"

Tightline5
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Re: The Wipe Down

Post by Tightline5 » Thu Apr 17, 2014 7:07 pm

John, it is Interlux 333 brushing thinner., But most use it for all varnishes and to thin paste filler stains to the correct consistency. I have never had any issues with it other than the price:) Because it is a brushing thinner I find that the varnish also flows smooth, dual purpose, cleans and flows.
Phil Jones

1948 US Plywood Executive Runabout Hull #1 "WeldWood"
1954 Racing Runabout R-496
1957 Deluxe Runabout D-17-2062
"MISBEHAVIN"

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John DeVries
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Re: The Wipe Down

Post by John DeVries » Fri Apr 18, 2014 7:38 am

Thanks Phil,
That one made me look like I wasn't paying attention. :|
I've used 333 from the start for thinning stain (Interlux) and some other cleaning purposes, but never for washing hulls between varnish coats or thinning varnish for application. Epifanes is the varnish of choice, so using their thinner came naturally.

John

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tkhersom
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Re: The Wipe Down

Post by tkhersom » Fri Apr 18, 2014 7:50 am

I use 120/T-10 (Pettit Brushing Thinner), but than again I am using Pettit Varnish. Mostly Flagship, sometimes Captains.

The one thing I will say from experience "Don't wipe down with Mineral Spirits". That stuff can leave a nasty film. :oops:
Troy in ANE - Former President CCABC

1957 CC 21' Continental "Yorktown" (Mom's boat)
https://www.chris-craft.org/boats/22625/
1985 Formula 242LS "Gottago"
1991 Formula 36PC "Band Aids"

Life Is Too Short To Own An Ugly Boat

Tightline5
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Re: The Wipe Down

Post by Tightline5 » Fri Apr 18, 2014 8:43 am

I have always used 333 with all varnishes no matter the brand. I currently sometimes use Captains, but mostly Schooner 96. Never have had a problem . I do use cheesecloth at times but they make the type that leaves no residue,and I tack and then wipe with 333
Phil Jones

1948 US Plywood Executive Runabout Hull #1 "WeldWood"
1954 Racing Runabout R-496
1957 Deluxe Runabout D-17-2062
"MISBEHAVIN"

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tuobanur
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Re: The Wipe Down

Post by tuobanur » Thu Apr 24, 2014 9:14 am

Got the first coat on last night and all went well, wiped it down with the ammonia/water using the blue shop paper towels, Since it had to sit a little longer than I had planned after that wipe down, as a precaution, I went back over the outer planks last night (just in case someone put the hands on it) with some mineral spirits using an old tee shirt (which evaporated pretty quick) and then tack clothed it with the store bought tack cloths that you can buy at Lowe's. Using a 4" sponge roller and a 2-1/2" sponge brush I applied the varnish, I would roll an area then brush it out, I did it by my self since it was the first coat but I will get a second hand when doing the rest for smoother transitions. Took me three hours, finished around 8:00 pm and when I looked at it this morning I was pleasantly surprised, not bad for the first coat.
Will keep you guys and gals posted as I progress.
Attachments
finishing 10.jpg
Terry
1941 Model 101 (16') Deluxe Runabout "Miss Dot"

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tkhersom
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Re: The Wipe Down

Post by tkhersom » Thu Apr 24, 2014 12:37 pm

LOOKS GREAT!

I don't want to beat a dead horse, but I will re-up that IMHO I would not wipe down with mineral spirits.

Do an experiment and wipe something with mineral spirits and brushing thinner side by side than look at the difference in the residue after it dries. After that you decide for yourself. :?
Troy in ANE - Former President CCABC

1957 CC 21' Continental "Yorktown" (Mom's boat)
https://www.chris-craft.org/boats/22625/
1985 Formula 242LS "Gottago"
1991 Formula 36PC "Band Aids"

Life Is Too Short To Own An Ugly Boat

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Doug P
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Re: The Wipe Down

Post by Doug P » Thu Apr 24, 2014 9:56 pm

The Wipe down,
I don't want to beat a dead horse....
sounds like bad lines from the Godfather.

dustoff135
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Re: The Wipe Down

Post by dustoff135 » Fri Apr 25, 2014 2:01 am

I agree 100%, wiping down with mineral spirits will cause problems. You are certainly more apt to see peeling varnish if you keep using it. It leaves a residue that is not conducive to finish adhesion.
Patrick

Previous projects: 1940 17' Barrelback, #71572
1971 XK19, ORCZ19-2016V

New project: Looking???

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