Bristol Finish

Maddog · 28-07-2005, 00:46

Maybe this has been discussed before.

Dose any body have any experience with Bristol Finish?

Wahoo Sails · 28-07-2005, 11:46

I have used Bristol finish and sell it at the chandlery where I work. I applied the Bristol finish exactly as the instructions stated and it looked absolutely fantastic when done. Four months later it was starting to fail, I took photos of the problem and e-mailed them to the manufacture ... their reply was that I must have done something wrong in the mixing or application process, I assure you ... the job was done right. Talking to customers that do brightwork for a living (and use Bristol finish when the customer requests it) they believe the problem to be a matter of quality control, one fellow related to me that he had done 2 boats one directly across the canal from the other .. from 2 seperate containers of Bristol finsh. One boat was starting to fail after four months ... the other still looked good more than a year later.
The owner of our store attended a trade show where a representitive from Bristol finish was present, he overheard that rep telling customers that BF was not a varnish as such and therefore could not be directly applied to the wood, it was more of a "topcoat" and should only be applied over a layer of varnish. That's all well and good but it say's no such thing in any of their literature! I also find it curious that in the last two times Practical sailor did their varnish tests, Bristol finish was "unavailable for testing because it was being reformulated".
I'm currently using Practical Sailor's overall #1 pick ... Epifanes ... goes on nicely and looks good ... unfortunately it hasn't been on long enough for me to report on it's longevity.
Bob & Lynn

JGI417 · 28-07-2005, 17:41

I had the same problem did not seem to have the lasting power, and did not care for the color when I starter to build up the coats, I went back to varnish
Its more work, but the results are woryh it to me.

**Rick** · 28-07-2005, 18:51

Six years ago I put 9 coats of WestMarine Admirals Varnish on several pieces of teak. It was easy and untempermental to apply. I'm thinking of putting on another coat just to be sure because it has been in the sun and rain and snow so long.

Alan Wheeler · 28-07-2005, 21:05

Bob. I wonder if your "Epifane" is the same as "Epithane" I get down here in NZ. It's an Inernational/Epiglass product. Two pot Polyurathane. I have used it extensively and with excellent results. The first "trial" hatch has had it on for 18mths now and still looks good as new. It is in the Sun all day and gets walked on and yet has no scratches. I even splashed some paint on it and removed the dry paint with thinners. It took the paint off and never touched the poly. I also dropped a hatch the otherday. It was my main engine room hatch and is huge and heavy. All it did was dent the wood. It never cracked or scratched the Poly.
I am also trying an Altex version of it right now. I am using it on my rubb rails. Must say, the Altex wasn't as easy to use out of the can. But lets see what happens with time.
IMO, I will never use a single pot product outside again.

Wahoo Sails · 28-07-2005, 22:31

Alan,
The Epifanes that I'm using is a one part traditional resin based varnish ... but with more UV protection built in than is normal. Don't have a can handy but I believe it comes from Holland.
Bob & Lynn

28-07-2005, 17:41	#3
JGI417 Registered User Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: Tulsa OK Posts: 59	I had the same problem did not seem to have the lasting power, and did not care for the color when I starter to build up the coats, I went back to varnish Its more work, but the results are woryh it to me. __________________ John

28-07-2005, 18:51	#4
Rick Moderator Site Helper Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: Seattle area (Bremerton) Boat: C&C Landfall 39 center cockpit "Anahita" Posts: 817 Images: 6	One more input Six years ago I put 9 coats of WestMarine Admirals Varnish on several pieces of teak. It was easy and untempermental to apply. I'm thinking of putting on another coat just to be sure because it has been in the sun and rain and snow so long.

28-07-2005, 21:05	#5
Alan Wheeler Registered User Join Date: Dec 2003 Location: Marlborough Sounds. New Zealand Boat: Hartley Tahitian 45ft. Leisure Lady Posts: 8,044 Images: 102	Bob. I wonder if your "Epifane" is the same as "Epithane" I get down here in NZ. It's an Inernational/Epiglass product. Two pot Polyurathane. I have used it extensively and with excellent results. The first "trial" hatch has had it on for 18mths now and still looks good as new. It is in the Sun all day and gets walked on and yet has no scratches. I even splashed some paint on it and removed the dry paint with thinners. It took the paint off and never touched the poly. I also dropped a hatch the otherday. It was my main engine room hatch and is huge and heavy. All it did was dent the wood. It never cracked or scratched the Poly. I am also trying an Altex version of it right now. I am using it on my rubb rails. Must say, the Altex wasn't as easy to use out of the can. But lets see what happens with time. IMO, I will never use a single pot product outside again. __________________ Wheels For God so loved the world..........He didn't send a committee.

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28-07-2005, 00:46	#1
Maddog Registered User Join Date: Jul 2005 Location: So. Cal Boat: Challenger 32 - Falcon Posts: 206	Bristol Finish Maybe this has been discussed before. Dose any body have any experience with Bristol Finish? __________________ It's kind of like tearing up $100 bills while standing in a cold shower.

28-07-2005, 11:46	#2
Wahoo Sails Registered User Join Date: Jul 2004 Location: Marathon, Florida Boat: Cape Dory 28, "Night Wind" Posts: 354 Images: 16	I have used Bristol finish and sell it at the chandlery where I work. I applied the Bristol finish exactly as the instructions stated and it looked absolutely fantastic when done. Four months later it was starting to fail, I took photos of the problem and e-mailed them to the manufacture ... their reply was that I must have done something wrong in the mixing or application process, I assure you ... the job was done right. Talking to customers that do brightwork for a living (and use Bristol finish when the customer requests it) they believe the problem to be a matter of quality control, one fellow related to me that he had done 2 boats one directly across the canal from the other .. from 2 seperate containers of Bristol finsh. One boat was starting to fail after four months ... the other still looked good more than a year later. The owner of our store attended a trade show where a representitive from Bristol finish was present, he overheard that rep telling customers that BF was not a varnish as such and therefore could not be directly applied to the wood, it was more of a "topcoat" and should only be applied over a layer of varnish. That's all well and good but it say's no such thing in any of their literature! I also find it curious that in the last two times Practical sailor did their varnish tests, Bristol finish was "unavailable for testing because it was being reformulated". I'm currently using Practical Sailor's overall #1 pick ... Epifanes ... goes on nicely and looks good ... unfortunately it hasn't been on long enough for me to report on it's longevity. Bob & Lynn

28-07-2005, 22:31	#6
Wahoo Sails Registered User Join Date: Jul 2004 Location: Marathon, Florida Boat: Cape Dory 28, "Night Wind" Posts: 354 Images: 16	Alan, The Epifanes that I'm using is a one part traditional resin based varnish ... but with more UV protection built in than is normal. Don't have a can handy but I believe it comes from Holland. Bob & Lynn