This is like anchors. Everyone thinks their stuff is better than the other guys. And I'm not thinking of anyone's comments specifically. Nor am I void of that attitude myself.
I've been using my own oil mix and was acceptable in Alaska but I plan to change back to an oil based top of the line Varnish next spring. Hot sun on my oil mix makes for a fairly sticky surface in the hot (80 degree) weather. For storage we just applied a thick coat on the cap rails. I've used kerosene to drive the oil deep into the wood. Pete Culler recommends this. Over 3 or 4 years I've built up an excellent oil base for that type of finish. My anchor winch/fwd cleat base (plywood) was heavily oiled planning on just doing that alone then got the idea to see how varnish held up on a heavy oil base. It's worked through an Alaska winter better than anything else. Nothing else has lasted the AK winter.
I'm not against high tech stuff (tried quite a few) but I've had fairly good results w good quality varnish and for now I'm going to stay with it. Started trying other stuff because of the shoe scuff marks on the cap rail where we board. I think we'll just deal w the scuff marks. Perhaps there's an easy touch up method.
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