Epifanes

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Nessa
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Epifanes

Post by Nessa »

Can I use thinners no 1 with Epifanes varnish, or must I buy their own brand?
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Re: Epifanes

Post by Ed »

Depends which Ephiphanes Varnish, although just looked at their product list and it looks like they are now specialising in the trad varnishes rather than two-packs.

So, for the standard single-pack one, then yes, I think it would work. Blakes No1 is just a white spirit and this should work for Ephiphanes....but...

As a general rule. lots of diluents 'work' with lots of paints, or at least appear to do so...in that they dilute the paint.

We also get lots of problems with varnishes....and consider was it the base, the humidity, a contaminant...the right 'thinners'. For me, although I would likely just as not, drop in a dash of white spirit; my advice would be that if the job is an important one, get the correct thinners and sleep a little easier - just one thing less to worry about.

cheers

I do like Ephiphanes though.....strong, beautiful and easy to apply.

eib
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Re: Epifanes

Post by JimC »

You can get some odd effects if the thinner is wrong. The fish eye effect of hammerite is a classic one. I think matting is another. So question is how much do you care if the cosmetics aren't 100%?
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Re: Epifanes

Post by Ed »

Anything strange and I would certainly say use the correct diluent....

but Epiphanes is a pretty normal type 'tung oil' varnish so would most probably be OK with a basic white spirit.....but I think we agree... to be safe....


Re: Hamerite or Smootherite.....and diluents, I am sure they have recently changed their diluent or recipe, it seems quite different to how it used to be....smells different and when you add the new one, you have to really stir it to get it to mix. When you wash a brush in it, the paint seems to fall off in bits rather than dissolve. tis rather strange. Maybe the recipe and the diluent have been changed? Not sure.

eib
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Nessa
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Re: Epifanes

Post by Nessa »

Thanks guys. I have to confess it is for uv protection for my carbon mast....but even so, it is a nice mast with a good looking carbon weave. Getting the right stuff means driving over to Huntingdon, but I will go for it.

Thanks again.
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Re: Epifanes

Post by Ed »

mmmmm....

interesting choice of varnish for a carbon mast.

I wouldn't of thought to choose it, but that isn't to say it is wrong, it could well work wonders, it offers good UV protection, is easily repaired/recoated... and at least should be easy to remove when you need to. I like it :-)

I guess my only concern would be that 'when' you need to renew it, you must remember not to use a hard two-pack over the top, and then also, how are you going to get it off without damage to mast? Hot-air would be a bad idea, but then so would sanding. Would nitromors attack the carbon? I wouldn't want to risk it...

Carbon looks so nice varnished......but it is very hard to keep them looking good. Being black, they just get so hot and are in continual UV all day.

Can you rig any kind of mast-bag on it....or take it down? If not, whatever varnish or UV protection you use, it will need regular replacing.

mmmmm..... to be honest, unless you can bag it or bring it inside, I don't think any varnish will offer real long-term protection. Sooner or later you should paint it. If varnishing, then regularly replace it (but how?). Remember the UV protection wears out a long time before the varnish starts to peel. Think what happens to varnished wood left out in sun, and how much it is damaged, long before the varnish gives up.

Tell us how it goes

cheers

eib
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Re: Epifanes

Post by Nessa »

I used two pack on the contender mast and although I prepped it well (I thought) it hasn't lasted, mostly because I think it was too hard for the flex in the mast. So now I have the joyful prospect of getting it off to do it again.

The last time I varnished the very flexible d one mast I used Schooner. This was last year and already it needs doing again, hence choosing to go for several thin costs of Epifanes. It has been sanded clear with lots of fine grade wet and dry and even more sweat and tears. Off to Huntingdon later to buy the right thinners.

The D one may we'll be on the trailer when we come to Roadford as we're then going straight to Travemunde, so you will see the results then if you want!
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Re: Epifanes

Post by Pat »

Hammerite changed two or thre years ago which was why the thinners Sandy had did not work! I think he took it back or phoned the company and someone explained it was different.
Mast bag is easy enough to make if you can use a sewing machine and with some tough-ish material and plenty of velcro, webbing and snap together buckles.
I've got a design in hand at the moment for a padded one - must get it sorted, but I ought to get the Albacore undercover finished for Clywedog!
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sam mason
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Re: Epifanes

Post by sam mason »

Reactive Resins epoxy varnish should fit the bill. I have used it for a while on the Albacores with no problems. I certainly wouldn't use a single pack varnish on carbon fibre for all the reasons previously outlined
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Re: Epifanes

Post by Nigel »

I was chatting with Terry Cook at Aadvark about this a few years ago and he swears by painting a carbon mast white - blocks UV and reflects heat.
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Re: Epifanes

Post by Ed »

Mine is.....and seems the best solution to me, but not nearly so pretty.

eib
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Re: Epifanes

Post by Rupert »

Paint it brown and put fake grain on it.

I'd not use trad varnish on a carbon mast. Sam's suggestion seems good.
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Re: Epifanes

Post by jpa_wfsc »

Pat wrote:Hammerite changed two or thre years ago which was why the thinners Sandy had did not work! I think he took it back or phoned the company and someone explained it was different.


indeed - not the stuff it used to be at all. They had to stop using toluene as a solvent due to environmental concerns. IMHO the paint is nothing like as good as it used to be!
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alan williams
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Re: Epifanes

Post by alan williams »

Hi Nessa
Alot of the very expensive Finn mast are white or of a light colour my Patas is a very light grey and the Vanguard Southern spar is brilliant white (well it is when clean), go for a light colour. The only reason I can think of is that black mast seem to not last as long as painted ones. I've been told that epoxy starts to soften at about 80 degrees C and that a black surface can easily reach this on a hot day. Both my spars are from countries warmer than this one.
Cheers Alan
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Re: Epifanes

Post by LASERTOURIST »

Used epifanes varnish on my father's zef...it is a Dutch "northern" stuff, looked wonderful after 5or 6 coats, aged well, lasted long, first impregnating coats were diluted with a drop of W/S , OK for countries with little sun (in the Mediterranean the Veneziani varnish would last longer)...

It could be easily removed with a chemical cleaner and a scraper when needed.
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