Varnish that actually works?

I need to tidy up the thwart on my Europe, a good rub down and varnish. What the best stuff that actually goes off properly hard in days rather than weeks?

At this time of year, nothing without heat.

If you can get it warm enough, with bare wood, then isocyanate clear varnish like Bondaseal will give you 3 coats in about 3 hours and then take another 24 hours to cure completely. More "normal" varnish, go for a 2 pack polyurethane, I guess. Never liked the stuff, myself.

Originally posted by epicfail The thwart is off the boat and in the house, so I guess that will help.

Yes it will! But don't use isocynate varnish in that case, as the smell lingers for days and gets you high, followed by headaches.

If its off the boat and in the house you can probably use pretty much anything *but* you need to consider the rest of the household and fumes. Some people find the solvents difficult to tolerate, especially the more aggressive chemicals in the high end varnishes. Oh, and don't use two pot in the house at all. Too toxic.

We have all become environmentalists and risk averse, I won't let the kids in the kitchen if there's cooking going on or use the mower or shears. I had to do loads of dangerous things when I was a kid, I was in charge of lighting the fire and loads of chores that I think are dangerous now, where are we all going?