Filling dings in varnish?

[Midday Gun]

Just wondering what a good approach to the damage shown in the below pic would be?

Its in the companionway, so people are forever brushing past it. Anyway, its quite thin veneer, so sanding out isn't really an option, so more a case of making it look better without reveneering.

Is a wax filler & then varnish over the way to go?

[thinwater]

Originally Posted by Midday Gun

Just wondering what a good approach to the damage shown in the below pic would be?

Its in the companionway, so people are forever brushing past it. Anyway, its quite thin veneer, so sanding out isn't really an option, so more a case of making it look better without reveneering.

Is a wax filler & then varnish over the way to go?

You can't varnish over wax, don't even think it. No wax.


I'm interested in hearing others. I'm thinking a combination of stripping, light sanding, penetrating epoxy (which affects the color in a similar way to varnish and will harden the wood), followed by many layers of varnish with sanding between coats. If there were a clear filler, that would be great, but I don't know one.

[Iron E]

Personally, I would remove all varnish/top coat. Since it's veneer, I would use heat, then lightly sand.
I would then use a wood floor filler that matches the wood (teak).
Then sand
Then finish with your preferred varnish

Edit: Oh, then I would probably get a strip of sign clear vinyl floor overlaminate to go on the wood to protect it.
I've got some it you want a piece when you're finished.

[psk125]

You should stop letting your crew use winch handles as hammers. Looks like the dings will need to be filled in with multiple coats of varnish until the surface gets smooth once again. (10 coats? 15?) Some varnishes may be harder than others - use them, not soft ones.

[Midday Gun]

Hmm, some different ideas.
I did think about varnish as a filler, but I don't know if I have it in me to do 20 coats, most of which would be sanded off. I'll see if I can find a clear wood filler.

Noted about the winch handles, but I only just bought her. I suspect it was the harness clips that peoople leave attached to their lifejacket.

[Hope123]

You should use a clear epoxy filler, that would be useful for you.

[Midday Gun]

I've got some stuff on the way now, I'll post how I get on with it.

[KingRichard]

I used West Systems epoxy without additives to fill a couple of knots in an old tiller. It turned out fairly well. The epoxy bends light a little different which kept the depth or dimensional look of the wood. I was after the strength aspect, but was pleasantly surprised by the aesthetics.

[Midday Gun]

Originally Posted by KingRichard

I used West Systems epoxy without additives to fill a couple of knots in an old tiller. It turned out fairly well. The epoxy bends light a little different which kept the depth or dimensional look of the wood. I was after the strength aspect, but was pleasantly surprised by the aesthetics.

I'd considered it, but I suspect trying to fill holes on a vertical surface then it would just run out.


I could maybe use some plastic release film to hold it in, but I'd worry about going through the veneer when sanding off the excess.

[bil56]

I have never tested this but (I was told):
after having sanded the layers of varnish, pass a steam iron over the damaged parts, a good part of the damaged area should straighten out, let dry, sand finely, revarnish N layers ...