: I just finished final sanding and will be ready to start varnishing
: in a couple of days. I wonder whether it's best to do the deck
: and hull separately, or if I should hang the kayak to be able to
: do both deck and hull at the same time?
: Hanging seems like a hassle to get it set up initially, but I like
: the idea of the varnish only taking 5 days (assuming 5 coats)
: instead of 10. Because--and correct me if I'm wrong-- if I do
: them separately, don't I have to spend 5 days on the deck, and
: then another 5 days on the hull? If I do 7 coats that would
: double my time from 7 days to 14 days. BTW, if I do the deck and
: hull separately, what one do I do first? Or do I alternate
: deck-hull-deck-hull?
: Also, is there a point of diminishing returns? In other words, if I
: apply 4 coats is that as good as 7? At what point do extra coats
: become pointless?
: Thanks for any advice.
: --Mark

Odds are really good that you won't apply anywhere near that many coats. For most people, 2 or 3 coats is plenty and you'll be sick of varnish by then anyway.

It's hard enough to maintain a wet edge doing only one side at a time, I'd think unless you've got more than one doing the varnish that you won't be able to maintain a wet edge doing the whole hull at once. Might work if you were spraying it, not with a brush.

Btw, if this is your first kayak, there's little point in trying for the perfect varnish job, you'll damage it anyway.

Bill H.