Puuveneet – maalaus- ja lakkausvinkit

Wooden boats – painting and varnishing tips

It is said that every wooden boat has a soul. Indeed, for us Finnish boaters, a wooden boat is the most classic and traditional vessel, and the one that demands the most love and care.

Wood is a natural material that can suffer from several problems as a boat-building material. As a biodegradable material, wood is food for many different organisms, such as mold fungi and crustaceans, as well as barnacles. These can hollow out the wood surface, making it uneven. In addition, wood can absorb water, which weakens the adhesion of the boat's coating. However, when the wooden surface is pre-treated correctly and coated using an appropriate system, it is possible to prevent these problems. At the same time, the natural beauty of the wood can be highlighted.

Actions before painting wood

Check the moisture content of the wood with a moisture meter. Paint only when the moisture content is less than 13%.

Tips for painting and varnishing wooden boats

  • Consider the boat's construction. For clinker-built hulls, due to the movement of the hull, it is not recommended to use a 2-component system; instead, a more flexible 1-component system should be used.
  • Prepare the surface for painting or varnishing by sanding it at a 45-degree angle to the wood grain with sandpaper of grit 80-120.
  • Clean the wood surface by wiping along the wood grain with a lint-free cloth moistened with Hempel Thinner 811 and allow to dry.
  • For oily wood types, such as teak and iroko, degreasing must be performed with Hempel Degreaser. This treatment removes the wood's natural oils from the surface, allowing the first coat of paint to adhere better.

Single-component system products:

Above the waterline

Below the waterline

Two-component system products:

Above the waterline

Below the waterline

Hempel Sealer 599 can be used as an alternative to Light Primer for the first coat above and below the waterline.

Need more information about boat varnishes? Read the "Best Varnishes for Wooden Boats" article, where we discuss different boat varnishes, what options are available, which varnish suits which situation, and what to consider when making a choice.

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