: I have a devil of a time getting a smooth varnish coat. Tried the rag, didnt
: work for me. Sorry Spidey! I use a good brush, and stroke / spread it
: evenly and correctly. But it looks for the world like contaminate, either
: from the air or the brush. Tiny bubbles, or specks like sawdust.

: My boat has Epifanes on it, Ive used Interlux, and Z-spar too. Same results.
: I even added dust collection and air filtration to the shop, but tonight
: re-doing hatch covers (with Pettit, they didnt have Epifanes) got similar
: results but not quite as bad. The surface was sanded smooth, 150 grit wet.

: I just dont get it. Perhaps I'm destined to have a speckly boat (or three...)

I recently read a post on the Woodenboat website about using foam rollers to apply varnish. Apparently you roll it on and back-brush it just like we do with epoxy. It is supposed to go on very thin, so you are less likely to get runs.

I am about two-weeks from varnishing my Spring Run. I plan on trying the roller technique. We still have ice on our lakes in Minnesota but I need to get this boat done!!