Staining spars

Welcome to PocketShip.net! This bulletin board is for builders of the Chesapeake Light Craft-John C. Harris "PocketShip" design, a 15-foot micro cruiser sailboat built from a kit or plans.

For more information on PocketShip, click here: http://www.clcboats.com/pocketship

This site gathers PocketShip builders in one place. Here you can share photos, tips, questions, and---eventually---your sailing adventures in PocketShip! CLC will also post design updates and tips here as they come up.

We'll try to knock down spam as quickly as possible.

Moderator: John C. Harris

Forum rules
Spam or commercial posts will be deleted.
This is a civil forum: no flames or drunken tirades.
Please stay on-topic.
PocketShip's Web Page: http://www.clcboats.com/pocketship
If you need CLC customer service: http://www.clcboats.com/forms/contact_us.html
We'll try to delete spam as soon as it appears.

Staining spars

Postby Creekboater on Mon Apr 24, 2023 10:51 pm

I don’t think I’ve seen anyone do this in their blogs, but has anyone out there stained their spars at all?

I got one coat of varnish on my spars but it wouldn’t ever cure so I’ve sanded down to bare wood and thinking I might take the opportunity to stain. Another story as to why I went all way through the epoxy to bare, but here I am.

I don’t know how to describe the color but it’s oakish i guess. it’s not dark really but it really browns up the timber. Anyway, regardless of the color I’m wondering if anyone else has done it and if you have pics.

Thanks!
http://sisterspocketship.com
* Jimmy Skiff II
* amateur for sure (builder/sailor)
* impossible to insult my intelligence
Creekboater
 
Posts: 109
Joined: Sat Nov 13, 2021 6:58 pm

Re: Staining spars

Postby Hooky on Tue Apr 25, 2023 2:42 am

G'Day Martin,
I intend to use a mahogany stain on my transom, I haven't thought about the spars as yet. I'm using a brand called "Feast Watson" traditional spirit-based stain. I contacted the technical department of the epoxy resin I'm using, and this is what they suggested and were very helpful on the process as follows:

1) Thoroughly mix the stain into the first mix of undiluted epoxy and apply.
2) lightly sand.
3) Apply another coat of undiluted epoxy but no stain.
4) Lightly sand
5) Then apply many coats of clear laquear and light sanding between to achieve the desired finish.

I firstly did a test piece on scrap to determine the amount of stain required to achieve the desired effect with the quantity being used, this can be a bit tricky requiring the use of syringes to measure the correct ratio of stain. Sorry no Pics.
I hope this helps mate.
Cheers Terry from Down Under.

https://hookypocketship.blogspot.com
Hooky
 
Posts: 73
Joined: Sat Apr 30, 2016 5:49 am
Location: Australia

Re: Staining spars

Postby Creekboater on Tue Apr 25, 2023 7:55 am

Thanks Terry, I've not considered applying the stain mixed into first coat of epoxy. On my test pieces I've just been wiping it on, then applying epoxy. Seems to work ok.

Is there any advantage of mixing with the epoxy besides skipping a step and saving some time?
http://sisterspocketship.com
* Jimmy Skiff II
* amateur for sure (builder/sailor)
* impossible to insult my intelligence
Creekboater
 
Posts: 109
Joined: Sat Nov 13, 2021 6:58 pm

Re: Staining spars

Postby Hooky on Tue Apr 25, 2023 5:35 pm

Martin
The techno’s advised that the first coat of epoxy was a protective/densifier layer so adding the stain in the epoxy allowed it to soak nicely into the grain. The subsequent layers of epoxy and lacquer worked to enhance the stain. But they did advise to do a number of test pieces with different concentrations of stain until you find your desired effect. Another labour and time intensive process.
Cheers mate
Terry
Hooky
 
Posts: 73
Joined: Sat Apr 30, 2016 5:49 am
Location: Australia


Return to PocketShip Forum

Who is online

Users browsing this forum: No registered users and 22 guests

cron