Roger Crawford's Favorite Varnish

Another expert opinion

I’ll start out by admitting that after nearly half a century of boat building that (for better or worse??) I have become somewhat opinionated about many of the products I’ve come to rely on. It could be that perhaps I have just learned the best techniques for using them and get good results. Having noted that, I’ll offer my thoughts on my favorite varnish. 

I’ve used almost all of the major brands (Interlux, Pettit, etc.) and gotten good results, but I’ll cast my vote for Epifanes High Gloss as top of the class. I think it wins hands down and has no equal. I was told by a reliable source that Hinckley Yachts uses Epifanes, and in fact sold it under their own brand name as “Hinckley varnish.” If you’ve ever seen a new varnished Hinckley, it’s mind-boggling, and you’ll understand my enthusiasm for the product beyond the results I get in my own shop. In many conversations with other professional boat builders about varnish almost of them feel the same way about Epifanes.

Epifanes is a bit more viscous than other varnishes and it takes a bit of practice with the volume you apply to the surface and the brushing technique, and it almost seems resistant to lay down so you might think you have to keep brushing it out, but don’t over brush it and it will flow out perfectly. Because it’s slightly thicker I feel that each coat of Epifanes gets you more build up than the other varnishes I’ve used. In other words, 5 coats of Epifanes might equal to 7 coats of a competitive brand, and when time is money in a boat shop that’s a consideration. The gloss is absolutely superb and has excellent UV resistance.

On bare wood I use two, maybe three coats of Pettit 2108 clear sealer first. It penetrates well, dries very quickly, sands easily and allows me to then apply the Epifanes full strength unthinned for 5 or 6 more coats.

I’ll be curious to see what products other professionals use and their reasons for endorsing them.

—Roger Crawford

Crawford Boat Building

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