How to choose a yacht varnish: according to composition, properties and limitations in use

Shipbuilders, earlier than others, began to use varnish compounds to protect wood from the destructive effects of moisture; the beneficial properties were also appreciated on the shore. Construction stores offer a whole family of compounds under different names: deck, ship, yacht varnish. Let's understand what types of paint and varnish products exist, what characteristics they have, why and how they are used.

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How is the chemical composition and scope related?

Once upon a time, ship varnish was used to finish the wooden hull, deck elements and internal parts. The formula was developed in such a way as to provide maximum protection for wood that is constantly exposed to the open air and in contact with water. Since the varnish was used exclusively for outdoor work, no one thought about the danger of fumes for humans.

The composition acquired the necessary qualities thanks to toluene and xylene, volatile substances of the benzene group. The compounds have an unfortunate combination of qualities: they evaporate easily and are poisonous enough to cause serious harm to health.

The skin and respiratory tract serve as the point of penetration of vapors into the human body. A small dose causes headaches and dizziness, a stronger dose irritates the mucous membranes. Severe (or long-term) intoxication leads to damage to the nervous system and internal organs, and cell degeneration.

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The excellent qualities that a wooden surface acquires have become the reason for the spread of ship varnish for wood to other areas. It is applied to furniture and musical instruments, covering floors and panels. The composition is used for finishing walls in bathhouses and elements of gazebos; it is used to open window frames, doors, and stairs.

No matter how high-quality modern paint and varnish products are, they still remain toxic. Therefore, in interior work they are used extremely carefully, without ignoring safety regulations.

Advantages and disadvantages

The popularity of ship varnish is explained by the fact that it provides wood with performance qualities that are an order of magnitude higher than standard furniture analogues. The advantages include the following features:

High adhesion to wood. The varnish penetrates deep into the structure of the wood, so it lasts longer and is more reliable than traditional compounds. The varnish film is resistant to abrasion, chipping, and scratches.

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See also: Catalog of companies that specialize in paint and varnish and finishing materials and related work

Long service life. The varnish surface has high strength; it is resistant to alkaline compounds and is not afraid of large mechanical loads.
Hydrophobicity. Yacht varnish for wood makes the wood moisture resistant and protects it from rotting.
Decorative qualities. The varnish emphasizes the beauty of the natural surface, at the same time it is resistant to fading and does not change properties over time.
Working properties. Yacht varnish is characterized by low consumption, and the coating dries quickly.

Some qualities turn the composition into a very ambiguous material for finishing in everyday life:

The main disadvantage is toxicity and the associated unpleasant odor.
In cold weather, the elasticity of the varnish coating decreases and it becomes brittle. Wooden ships are not icebreakers, and under normal conditions they do not encounter low temperatures.
Problems will arise with wooden walls coated with varnish immediately after construction. Shrinkage will lead to inevitable destruction of the film.
If the quality is poor, yacht varnish for interior woodwork has a yellowish tint, which can negatively affect the final appearance of the furniture or door.

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Packing method

Manufacturers of yacht varnishes package their products in cans or cans. The latter option is more convenient during application, since it does not require a roller or brush. The aerosol allows you to achieve good uniformity of the dispersed layer of the required thickness.

The weak points of varnish in cans include the small packaging volume and high cost (a varnish product of the same volume in a can will cost an order of magnitude less).

As practice shows, it is more convenient to apply glossy compounds to wood by spraying, while matte ones are more convenient to apply with a traditional brush or roller.

Variety in composition

Paint and varnish products offered by hardware stores vary in characteristics. Their classification is based on which chemical is the main one in the composition. Based on this feature, four groups of brands are distinguished.

Alkyd

Alkyd varnishes with the following set of qualities are widely represented on the construction market:

The composition is a solution of alkyd resins with a high polymerization rate and a high degree of toxicity.
They have a heavy odor. During the drying process, the solvent first evaporates, then the benzene compounds. The alkyd-based composition continues to release toxic benzene for another 3-4 months after drying.
Alkyd yacht varnish for wood for exterior use does not lose quality for 4-5 years (with average mechanical load).
Application. Due to the high emission of toxic substances, it is prohibited for use in the home. It is suitable for protecting the roof of a gazebo, terrace, wooden fence, stairs.

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Floors

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Yacht varnish has long been successfully used for treating the surfaces of wooden classic yachts. Not so long ago, builders began to use it to renovate apartments and private houses. Advertising speaks of the innumerable advantages of the material, and the low cost encourages purchase. But in practice, things are not quite as we would like. Therefore, we will understand all the nuances regarding yacht varnishes.

General information about yacht varnish

The first thing to understand is that any yacht varnish is intended for processing the outer and inner hulls of sea and river wooden vessels. In its production, the main emphasis is on durability and strength. To achieve the best possible results, manufacturers use quite toxic chemical elements. We are talking about toluene and xylene.

1. Toluene belongs to the group of highly volatile benzene compounds. This means that the chemical composition includes carbon and hydrogen. This type of compound is easily mixed with air and absorbed by humans. The result is dizziness, irritation of all mucous membranes up to pulmonary edema. The danger of toluene is that the substance evaporates quite slowly, but in quantities dangerous to human health.

2. Xylene is a more complex benzene, which has an even greater negative effect on humans. Xylene vapor penetrates not only through the respiratory system, but also directly through the skin. Xylene poisoning is much more difficult to tolerate than toluene poisoning. With constant exposure to the substance, nervous disorders occur and diseases associated with the action of the endocrine glands become more active. The worst consequence is cancer.

It doesn’t matter whether a good or bad yacht varnish is used, there will still be dangerous chemicals in the composition. This circumstance clearly indicates that the use of the material indoors is categorically not recommended.

On the other hand, all benzenes are much lighter than air; when interacting with it in open space, the substances rise to the top fairly quickly and pose absolutely no danger. The use of yacht varnishes outdoors is permitted, but it should still be remembered that the substance was specially developed for boats, wooden ships and yachts.

Types of yacht varnishes

The division of varnishes into matte and glossy is very arbitrary. Matte surfaces do not shine, are less dirty and hide dust. Glossy varnishes create a beautiful glowing effect when exposed to natural or artificial light. The choice of a specific type is a personal matter of taste.

Much more important is the technology used to make the paint and varnish coating. Highlight:

alkyd varnishes,
urethane-alkyd varnishes,
alkyd-urethane varnishes,
acrylate varnishes.

1. Alkyd varnishes are quite popular. Organic solvents are used for their production. The most common is white spirit. Although alkyd yacht varnish is the cheapest, it is not allowed to be used at home. When drying, solvent vapors begin to evaporate, then toluene and xylene evaporate. After one and a half or two years, less volatile compounds begin to be released. The service life of alkyd varnishes under average load is 4-5 years, and all this time they emit a huge amount of chemicals into the atmosphere.

2. Yacht floor varnish, the manufacturing technology of which was specially developed for indoor use, is urethane-alkyd. Organic solvents are also used in production, but in much smaller quantities. In addition, urethane plasticizers prevent chemicals from evaporating too much. From a practical point of view, the predominance of urethane elements provides the coating with flexibility and resistance to temperature changes. If the house has a heated floor system, then only urethane-alkyd varnish is allowed to be used, since everything else will crack.

3. In alkyd-urethane varnishes, as the name implies, alkyds predominate. This chemical composition provides a high-quality coating that is sufficiently resistant to temperature changes, as well as the highest drying speed of the varnish. The latter property is achieved by adding particularly volatile solvents, the evaporation rate of which is several times higher than that of standard white spirit. The result is hypertoxicity.

4. Yacht floor varnish, which has the highest price, is acrylate. The pricing procedure is related to the production method. All acrylate varnishes are water-soluble, therefore toxicity is reduced to a minimum. In fact, these varnishes are not yacht varnishes, since they cannot be used to cover the outer part of the hull of wooden ships, but some manufacturers label their products this way as a marketing ploy. Ideally, it is better to use acrylate varnishes indoors.

Manufacturers of yacht varnishes

If the decision to use yacht varnish is due to the cheapness of the material, you should buy products from a manufacturer who has tried to minimize harm to health.

1. Marshall, Akzo Nobel concern. Marshall varnishes are produced in Turkey, but the Akzo Nobel concern itself is international. The main office is located in Amsterdam, and there are representative offices in more than eighty countries. This indicates the highest quality of products. This brand is also supported by its own staff of chemists, who open up new possibilities for standard materials. Main model range:

semi-matte yacht varnish Marshall Protex Yat Vernik, price 800 rub. for 2.5 l;
glossy yacht varnish Marshall Protex Yat Vernik, price 680 rub. for 2.5 l.

2. Belinka is a Slovenian plant with a sixty-year history. This brand is at least supported by the fact that it is one of the few productions that survived the collapse of Yugoslavia. Another argument is the optimal price-quality ratio. The lineup:

matte yacht varnish Belinka Yacht, price 1200 rub. for 2.7 l;
semi-matte yacht varnish Belinka Yacht, price 1100 rub. for 2.7 l;
glossy yacht varnish Belinka Yacht, price 1050 rub. for 2.7 l.

3. Poli-R is a domestic brand that has offered a compromise between inexpensive products and real quality. The company supplies paint and varnish coatings manufactured in Europe under its own brands. Although production is largely artisanal, the requirements and standards of the European Union are met, which makes the product competitive. The lineup:

yacht semi-matte varnish Poly-R, price 1200 rub. for 2.5 l;
glossy yacht varnish Poly-R, price 1000 rub. for 2.5 l.

4. Novbytkhim is one of the first large domestic enterprises in the chemical industry. The start of activity was in 1994. Since then, the products of the St. Petersburg plant have become known and popular throughout the post-Soviet space. Among the yacht varnishes are:

Chief Technologist semi-matte, price 800 rub. for 3 l;
Chief Technologist glossy, price 750 rub. for 3 l.

5. Prestige is a company that appeared relatively recently. The opening of the plant took place in 1998. The company's management has set the main goal of creating products of the highest quality at an affordable price. Among all domestic companies, the palm should be given to Prestige. Among yacht varnishes, the products are represented by:

Prestige matte, price 440 rub. for 1.9 l;
Prestige glossy, price 370 rub. for 1.9 l.

Important: the indicated price is relevant for the southern regions of Russia, Moscow and the region. This is due to the fact that production is located in the city of Kamensk-Shakhtinsky, therefore logistics costs are minimal. For other areas the price will be higher.

6. Rogneda has been working in the market for more than 20 years. Initially, the company was engaged in the production of fire retardant compounds, but soon expanded its range and registered several new brands, including WoodMaster, Aquatex, Dali, Eurotex. Today, the manufacturer is striving to increase sales volumes, which negatively affects quality. Varnishes from Rogenda are well suited for outdoor work or use in the countryside. The lineup:

Eurotex semi-matte, price 610 rub. for 2 l;
Eurotex glossy, price 580 rub. for 2 l.

Application of yacht varnish

In addition to standard, yacht varnish is widely used for household repairs. Main directions:

furniture processing,
floor treatment,
processing of frame houses,
lining processing.

1. In terms of furniture, we are talking only about outdoor tables, stools and benches. As a last resort, a tool cabinet. Under no circumstances should cabinets in which food is stored be treated with yacht varnish. Another contraindication is of an aesthetic nature. Like any other varnish, yacht varnish must be applied in at least 2-3 layers. Since the composition of this varnish is different from furniture varnish, each layer turns out to be quite thick. As a result, the furniture does not look aesthetically pleasing. The use of matte varnish slightly brightens the thickness of the layers.

2. Yacht floor varnish, reviews of which praise the efficiency and quality of the coating, are not so good in practice. Naturally we are talking about chemical fumes. At first, their negative impact is not observed, but after two to three months chronic fatigue, nervous tension and even depression appear. Children react especially acutely to toluene. If you look into the issue in more detail and carefully study online forums, it will become obvious that you cannot use yacht varnish for interior work.

3. Treatment of frame houses is one of the few truly practical solutions for using yacht varnish in everyday life. This varnish creates a uniform, durable coating that is resistant to aggressive external environments. As a result, there is no need to buy various additional impregnations and antiseptics.

4. Processing of lining should be understood as applying varnish to the facade, which is decorated with natural lining. As is the case with frame houses, this coating is more than enough to protect the tree for the next 4-5 years.

To summarize, it should be said that any building material must be used for its intended purpose. If the varnish is called yacht varnish, then its main area of application is the treatment of the outer hull of wooden ships. Use of the material for purposes other than its intended purpose is at your own peril and risk. Manufacturers do not hide the composition of the substance, so any claims from the buyer will not be successful and they will have to restore health at their own expense.

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Urethane-alkyd

The composition is dominated by plasticizing substances (urethanes). They bind volatile alkyds, whose content is also reduced. As a result of changing the recipe, yacht varnish for exterior woodwork has become a relatively safe composition for people with the following properties:

Designed for indoor use; In this case, safety precautions must be observed.

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Dries quickly, is resistant to temperature fluctuations; contains plasticizers. They change the chemical and physical properties of the composition, thanks to which it can be used without fear for warm floors (other varnishes may crack).
After drying, the varnish film remains intact for 8-10 years.

Rating of yacht varnishes

Based on their composition, coatings are divided into 5 types: alkyd, urethane-alkyd, alkyd-urethane, polyurethane and acrylate coatings. The price of the former is low, but they contain a large percentage of organic solvent. The characteristics of yacht varnishes with a urethane-alkyd base are suitable for indoor renovations, since they contain fewer toxic substances. When applied, a film is formed that does not crack even at high temperatures. Increasing the percentage of alkyds in the composition allows you to obtain a quick-drying but toxic material. Acrylic yacht varnish is the safest of all, but less moisture resistant. It is not recommended for use on yachts. Polyurethane coatings have high strength, so they are often used for finishing floors.

The review included the best yacht varnishes, which were compared according to the following parameters:

Composition components;
Application area;
Durability;
Type of protection;
Drying time;
Level of adhesion to the base;
Elasticity;
consumption;
Strength.

The ratio of price to the volume of the container in which the material is produced was also taken into account. Color is also an important criterion, because during finishing work it is desirable to preserve the natural wood color of the structure. In the top, yacht varnishes are divided into 2 categories based on their area of application. Below you will find a description of each product, its advantages and disadvantages.

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Tips for choosing

Varnish is chosen depending on its purpose. For work outdoors (for varnishing a gazebo, bathhouse, bench or swing), alkyd and alkyd-urethane compositions are suitable. For interior work (floors, panels), urethane-alkyd varnish is chosen. If you need to open wooden furniture, it is better to use polyurethane-acrylic grades.

Varnishes are divided according to the degree of gloss, and are available in glossy, semi-gloss and matte. The gloss does not affect the technical characteristics. A glossy finish looks bright and festive, but imperfections are more visible on it. The matte finish has a stylish look and makes dust and defects less visible.

Door varnishing Source ireland.apollo.olxcdn.com

Safety precautions

The principle of working with this material is very simple:

All work is carried out only in personal protective equipment (respirator and goggles). The only exceptions are operations performed outdoors.
It is advisable to use gloves or special clothing.
Thorough ventilation of the premises during and after the entire procedure.
Work is carried out at air temperatures from 15 to 30 degrees and normal humidity.
The varnish is not poured down the drain and is not disposed of in the usual way.

Otherwise, the application of yacht varnish is not very different from the use of paints and varnishes in this segment of coatings. Surface:

Cleans from dirt;
Sanded and primed if necessary;
Treated with an antiseptic;
Drying.

Experts recommend applying the varnish in several layers, each time waiting for the material to dry completely. This will help give the protective coating greater reliability and durability.

The drying time for each layer is 5-8 hours. You can use the varnished item after 3-5 days. This time is given so that all volatile compounds have time to completely evaporate.

Briefly about the main thing

Yacht varnish, an invention of shipbuilders, has taken a strong place among finishing materials for the residential sector. The chemical composition determines its unique properties: moisture resistance, wear resistance, strength and an impressive finishing result. The volatile substances of the benzene group included in the varnish negatively affect health.

Ship varnishes are usually divided into groups according to the main substance included in the formula. There are four groups on sale with different characteristics and degrees of toxicity. When choosing the optimal product, it is necessary to take into account the scope of its application and the degree of light reflection.

Which yacht varnish is better to buy?

When choosing a product, it is advised to take into account the type of work, since it often determines the desired composition of the material. Climatic conditions and types of negative factors that will affect wood are important. For users in the northern regions, coatings with high frost and moisture resistance are suitable, while for buyers in the southern regions it is better to choose a product with protection against UV radiation. Service life, drying time, degree of odor determine the ease of use of paintwork materials. The following recommendations will help you make your choice:

Safe varnish without strong toxic emissions - Tikkurila Unica Super 90;
Suitable paint for exterior use – Rust-Oleum Marine Coatings Spar Varnish;
Durable coating highlights – Marshall ProtexYatVernik 40;
A product with high strength - Pinotex Lacker Yacht semi-matte.

Wood is a capricious material; without reliable protection it will quickly become unusable. Yacht varnish will preserve the appearance and structure of wooden structures and protect them from the effects of various negative factors. The rating will help you choose the best paint and varnish for a certain type of work and will indicate the pros and cons of the product.