Hi all. I'm replacing all 1/2" ply in a 78'
San Juan 28
project. There was damage from
condensation and wicking caused
rot at the bottom of many
panels. I was going to use
teak ply and my
marine lumber supplier
sold me on 1/2" Hydrotek 1088 (Meranti). I knew finishing would be a little tricky but the amount of deformities in the varnished surface is disturbing. They look like contaminants but keep re-appearing with each coat. I am using Captains
varnish 1015 on 220 grit orbitally sanded surfaces with an 1 1/2"
china bristle brush and I'm using a
compressor to blow away the
sanding dust and once the pieces are in the garage I have been wiping them with a tack rag prior to varnishing. I have been filtering the
varnish before use and all
sanding has been done down
wind on my back
deck away from the garage. Is it possible these are micro splinters at the surface? I literally will have 3 or 4 "specks" in the varnish within a couple inches of starting to draw the brush across the surfaces of the sanded
panels. Discouraging. I'm getting tempted to convert them all to white. Am I being too picky? I'm looking for ideas from experience! Mike.