MY LEAST FAVORITE TASK IN KAYAK CONSTRUCTION IS THE VARNISHING SO I'M INCLUDING SOME TIPS I'VE COME UP WITH OVER THE YEARS.

1- SANDING- I USE 220 GRIT WET/DRY ON AN ORBITAL PALM SANDER BEFORE AND BETWEEN COATS. ON EDGES I USE MEDIUM STEEL WOOL.

2- BRUSHES- I'VE TRIED THE SPECTRUM FROM FOAM TO BADGER HAIR BRUSHES. FOAM BRUSHES DONT FLOW THE VARNISH ON AS WELL AS I LIKE (SUBJECTIVE) AND THEY CAN ONLY BE USED ONCE PER COAT. I FOUND OUT THE HARD WAY THAT BADGER HAIR BRUSHES, BECAUSE OF THEIR THICKNESS, ARE HARD TO CLEAN!! I RUINED MINE AFTER THE FIRST USE BECAUSE I DIDNT GET ALL THE VARNISH OFF AT THE BASE. I'M NOW USING A POLYESTER BRUSH I BOUGHT FROM WALMART FOR $6 THAT IS TAPERED, FEATHERED, FLOWS THE VARNISH ON NICELY, AND IS EASY TO CLEAN. NOT BAD FOR $6.

3- BRUSHING- CONTRARY TO WHAT I'VE READ, I AM REALLY WORKING, BRUSHING THE VARNISH AROUND THE BOAT TO OBTAIN A THIN LAYER. THIS STUFF REALLY SAGS AND RUNS LIKE CRAZY IF ITS PUT ON TOO THICK.

4- DUST- I'VE GIVEN UP TRYING TO GET A DUSTLESS FINAL FINISH. I CLEAN THE VARNISH ROOM THE BEST I CAN AND TACK CLOTH JUST BEFORE I VARNISH BUT THE DUST STILL SETTLES ALL OVER MY CRAFT.

OTHER TECHNIQUES, TIPS WOULD BE APPRECIATED TO MAKE THIS TASK EASIER!! ALSO, ANY SUGGESTIONS ON TIPS 1-4 WOULD BE APPRECIATED. THANKS