Brightwork on Tartan Sailboat

Brightwork on Sailboat

Yacht Brightwork

Yacht Toe Rail Brightwork

How to accomplish visually appealing and long lasting brightwork

Proper prep: Varnish is only as strong and vibrant as the surface it is applied to. Exposed weathered grey woodwork needs to be treated and demolded. Old deteriorated varnish needs to be removed. If you want all of the woodwork to look the same, all of the woodwork needs to be stripped of existing coating down to bare wood. Joins, gaps, and damage need to be filled with epoxy compounds. The woodwork needs to be clean, smooth, and structurally sound.

Quality Supplies: There are many brightwork systems available to choose from. Many types/brands of woodwork coatings, brushes, thinners, tape, sandpaper, and tack cloths are on the market. I’ve used a variety of coating systems. I use high quality brushes that don’t shed. I use tape that produces a beautiful straight line when pulled and holds up to several rounds of sanding and varnishing. My sandpaper evenly abrades the surface without sanding through prior coats. I use special tack cloths that don’t impede adherence. I’m experienced with many woodwork coating products including: marine varnishes, urethane coatings, and Awlwood.

Technique:  The ability to produce high quality brightwork is a skill that is developed with practice. Different coating systems are applied at different thicknesses with different reducers and prep and primer or sealer or  pre-coats. A high quality brightwork coating requires many coats of prep and application. Correct procedure must be used throughout prep and application of every coat.

I feel the thickness of the coat being applied by the pull of the brush. The brush should pull a bit, but not too much. This sense of feeling the application takes practice to learn. Every coating system has a different feel of application.

Brightwork Coatings I Recommend

Brushes I Recommend