Finishing Problems, Need Help

Do you mean one or two-part PU ? Tinting 2-pack might be difficult, as "universal" paint tinters can't be used. I recall replacing some cork floor tiles on a kitchen floor that had been damaged, and being dismayed at the clear PU ( single pack) finish leaving them noticeably lighter in appearance than the old floor. Careful addition of a couple of tinters brought it up to a near match. Over time, however, the resin base darkens, especially out of sunlight, so it may have eventually become darker than desirable anyway. A small addition of tinter does little to hide the grain, but can give you a tone that is pleasing. But you need to experiment carefully first, away from the work piece, being careful to note exactly how much tinter of each colour was added to your known volume of clear. To this end, a syringe-type dispenser with measure graduations is needed.

 

I was looking at the interlux interstain wood filler, which comes in Chris Craft color. The description says it can be used to tiny interlux varnish.

Jamestown Distributors https://www.jamestowndistributors.com/mobileportal/show_product.do?pid=134

I've decided to skip the staining step out of pure fear. I wondered if this might be a viable alternative.

 

Do a little experiment with it on a scrap piece, and see if you like the effect. Good clear finishing is far more difficult than painting, which is almost fool-proof these days.

 

Nbehtman,

You are thinking of playing with fire.
You will have an overwhelming desire to remove a toned urethane not expertly applied by a master finisher. Every master finisher I know, would only participate in this adventure with a gun pointed at them.

Mr Efficiently suggested you practice on scraps. If you want to have a finish to be proud of practice on full sheets of plywood. When you have a full sheet looking how you want, you will know how to do your deck. I do not allow my assistants use toned clear coats on a customer's project until they can cover a full size sheet evenly. I buy the first five, the last sucess bought an additional seven! It takes an enormous amount of skill to apply toned finish will. Skills not usually posses by novices.

Remember boats get scuffed and dinged. Varnish is relatively easy to touch-up or repair, polyurethane harder and two-port most difficult.
As you already witnessed, a thin layer of color is very fragile. Place it as far away from the final surface as possible.

If you want a product that you will by proud of:
Stain the wood with old fashion rubbing stain.
Apply two or three full strength varnish (the extra thickness will help prevent you from cutting through the stain).
Sand the raised grain by HAND with 220 grit.
Continue varnishing and hand sanding until you are happy.

Brightwork is not rocket science but it takes skill. Practice, practice, practice. Plywood sheets are cheaper than boat decking.

 

Fair enough, don't use a small test sample, but a big one ! Roll and brush tip probably the best way. Finishes that have good flow and levelling are less likely to give uneven colouration. You might experiment with viscosity and the addition of something like Penetrol. As mentioned, once you get a colour you like, you revert to just clear, remembering that any coating that has an amber appearance in the pail, will change the colour a little too, with successive coats..

 

been there, done that. You can add oil based stains to clear epoxy and or spar varnish to 'tint' it to match the 'bad' areas.....

paul oman
progressive epoxy polymers inc.