Rob: Thanks for the thoughtful insight. I think that I will try a good brush for the deck. I was wondering, if I sand the matte finish with 220 grit, and apply a coat or two of gloss, will it be a gloss finish, or do I have to strip everything? Beautiful boat, by the way. Jack

You will get all the benefit of the gloss with your new coats of gloss varnish.

Cleaning brushes is one key to using them. If you take the time to research the cleaning methods, set up your bench to be ready to go through the steps you will appreciate the results you will get from a good varnish brush much more than if you come to do the next coat and find the brush a stiff mess bound for the trash!

Brush cleaning is akin to blade sharpening in that there are hundred ways to do it, and everyone will advocate their favorite. Follow this link for a taste.

http://forum.woodenboat.com/showthread.php?149409-Cleaning-Varnish-Brushes-Mineral-Spirits-Turpentine-Exotic-cleaners

Again, take the time to prepare for brush cleaning. Get mineral spirits, cleaning containers, a brush spinner, a 5 gallon sheet rock bucket with a hole in the lid to use the brush spinner in, a brush coam, a place the soap and dry the brush and storage for used solvents and when this goes smoothly you will look forward to the added beauty and ease of application a real varnish brush can achieve.

Good Luck,
Rob

Nothing is as simple
as we hope it will be.
Sufi sage, Mulla Nasrudin