posted
Hi everyone. I was interested if anyone could offer their two-cents on clear coating mahogany. My plan is to use two coats of WEST 105-207 and then two or three coats of varnish. Any recommendations for varnish? How about other UV clear coats?
Has anyone used Target's Oxford Spar? How about EPIFANES or Goldspar Varnish from INTERLUX
Cheers,
Marty
-------------------- Marty Engel Berkley, MI Hill Mountain Signworks LLC
marty@hillmountain.com 248-890-8265 Posts: 58 | From: Berkley, MI | Registered: Dec 2002
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Fourteen years ago I carved a mahogany sign and sprayed around ten thin mist coats of a two part automotive clear on it. I used a Nason clear. I gilded over the clear and hung the sign facing south into the sun and weather. So far, there is still a gloss and there is no cracking or crazing. The dark rich color of the mahogany has turned into a blond color from sun bleaching. The back side is still dark. I have not found anything that has compared to this in the wood finish product lines.
-------------------- The SignShop Mendocino, California
Making the simple complicated is commonplace; making the complicated simple, awesomely simple, that's creativity. — Charles Mingus Posts: 6718 | From: Mendocino, CA. USA | Registered: Nov 1998
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I'm interested in giving that Awl Grip a try...where do you get it?
I've been using Minwax Spar urethan forever....cause I use Minwax stains....it's the only thing that sticks....I've had good luck with it. I'm starting to make my stains now from 1 shot....Will Awl Grip stick? (Try saying that 3 times fast!)
Joe, Makin Chips and Havin Fun!
-------------------- Joe Cieslowski Connecticut Woodcarvers Gallery P.O.Box 368 East Canaan CT 06024 jcieslowski@snet.net 860-824-0883 Posts: 2345 | From: East Canaan CT 06024 | Registered: Nov 2001
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Steve, is it possible to apply the AwlGrip directly to unsealed wood? I took a look at the AwlGrip web site, but did not find anything that suggests it be used directly on wood. Is there a specific procedure or technique that you use to achieve successful results? My plan is to color the wood with a powered water dye (W.D. Lockwood) before I apply the clear coat.
Thanks again,
Marty
-------------------- Marty Engel Berkley, MI Hill Mountain Signworks LLC
marty@hillmountain.com 248-890-8265 Posts: 58 | From: Berkley, MI | Registered: Dec 2002
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Although I am still interested in looking into the AwlGrip solution, I thought I would post this email I received from Gougeon Brothers in regard to an epoxy/varnish clear coat:
Dear Martin,
I recommend that you try either the Interlux Schooner varnish or Petit/Z-Spar Captain's varnish. Both are probably most easily found at a marine outlet such as West Marine or Boaters World. We haven't tried the Target product, but a report we refer to published in Powerboat Reports from March 2001 states that in their testing the Oxford Hybrid Spar began to fail in 6 months. They rate the first two products I mentioned as "best" - which matches our experience using those two products. You can find a list of dealers that carry WEST SYSTEM® products on our web page www.westsystem.com - these dealers would be likely to carry either Schooner or Captains or both.
Best Regards,
Bruce Niederer Technical Advisor
Gougeon Brothers, Inc. 100 Patterson Ave., PO Box 908 Bay City, MI 48707-0908 U.S.A. tel: 989-684-7286 fax: 989-684-1287 URL: www.gougeon.com or www.westsystem.com
-Marty
-------------------- Marty Engel Berkley, MI Hill Mountain Signworks LLC
marty@hillmountain.com 248-890-8265 Posts: 58 | From: Berkley, MI | Registered: Dec 2002
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I did a little more research, and after a few phone calls and several emails, US Paint's Awl-Spar & Awl-Brite Plus seem to be a leading candidate for my project.
This is what the company had to say, "...Both Awlspar and Awl-Brite Plus contain a "UV Package". The Awlspar has an amber color to it and the Awl-Brite Plus is clear (it sometimes has a tendency to lighten woods). If you go to our website www.awlgrip.com , choose Application Guide, then choose Brightwork, the instructions for application of these products can be found there..."
In regard to the use of Awl-Grip on bare wood... here is what the company says: "Awlgrip High Gloss Clear G3005 cannot be applied directly to wood. Awlspar Spar Varnish and Awl-Brite Plus are products intended for application to wood."
Does anyone have experience with the Awl-Spar/Brite combo?
Thanks again,
-------------------- Marty Engel Berkley, MI Hill Mountain Signworks LLC
marty@hillmountain.com 248-890-8265 Posts: 58 | From: Berkley, MI | Registered: Dec 2002
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Hey Marty, I've been using the clear on wood and metal for years, with no failures.
But then, I'm genetically predisposed to not follow instructions.
So, if you want U.S. Paint to guarantee the product, use what they recommend. They make an excellent system.
* Word of Caution * This is nasty stuff. I don a positive pressure respirator if I even crack open a can. I cowboy'd around with that stuff for years, and I regret it now.
-------------------- Steve Purcell Purcell Woodcarving & Signmaking Cape Cod, MA
************************** Intelligent Design Is No Accident Posts: 900 | From: Cape Cod, MA | Registered: Oct 1999
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After reading the US Paint guide, I got a kick out of the following statements: "The urethane coatings, such as AWLGRIP G3005 Clear, were very slow to dry. Only one coat could be applied per day, and eight or more coats were needed." They continue: "While these systems had the potential to provide exceptional service..."
I in no way doubted your experience with the product, I just tend to over-research subjects such as this. Proven field-tested experiences are always greatly appreciated, as I tend to question the true product knowledge of many corporate reps and salesmen.
I would also like to thank you for the heads up on the safety issue. I guess it does no good to make a sign that will last forever, if I ain’t.
Thanks to all who offered suggestions on this topic.
Cheers,
Marty
-------------------- Marty Engel Berkley, MI Hill Mountain Signworks LLC
marty@hillmountain.com 248-890-8265 Posts: 58 | From: Berkley, MI | Registered: Dec 2002
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