: Help...I have finished the kayak, but varnishing is driving me
: crazy. I have tried everything. I can't get the varnish to lay
: flat. It either leaves brush marks or doesn't gloss in some
: areas. I've tried thinning, also figure the temp was to hot
: (high nineties), took into a garage, better but still leaves
: brush marks, told I was working it to much, but how can you
: leave brush marks or dry spots? Finally took into living room
: & set AC to 76. Still leaves brush marks and dry spots. I've
: sanded this boat a million times and am ready to give up.
: Varnish I have used is Captain's varnish & Helmsman, spar
: urethane. Both companies say they are compatible. Foam brush,
: Natural bristle brush. Please I would just like to get one final
: flat glossy coat, so I can launch the d#m thing! Thanks for any
: advice

Well first, varnish isn't paint, you put it on differently. Always work towards the wet varnish and lay it down evenly without any other brushing. Put the varnish on the brush and apply just far enough so you end at the wet edge then repeat for the next spot. There should be no back and forth brushing at all. The trick is getting enough varnish on the boat so it flows and leaves no brush marks and doesn't run. Just takes practice.

Btw, never dry sand varnish, wet sand only and generally 220 or 320 wet/dry paper works fine. Dry sanding will leave gouges that the varnish won't fill which will also result in a dull finish. Going over the boat with a wet no lint rag then using a squeegie will quickly show you what's been sanded well and what's not.

Almost impossible to do it properly in 90 degree temps, either start really early or really late in the day, but watch for dew.

Captain's is generally pretty easy to apply and does a nice job usually.

Bill H.