1946 Chris Craft Brightside U22: How to Varnish 10+ Coats

We have now passed the ten-coat milestone of our varnishing schedule, so it is time to sand the hull flat once again. (We roll and tip Interlux Perfection Two Part Varnish at each step using a three-inch yellow foam roller and a Wooster M5204-3 Tipping Brush.) Our goal is an absolutely flat surface that is devoid of dust and any sort of imperfection. In response to the several requests I have received, here is our varnishing schedule from the first coat through buffing.

  • Coats 1-3 then sand hull lightly with P220 followed by P400, taking particular care not to cut through the varnish to bare wood
  • Coats 4-7 then sand hull to a snow field with P220 followed by P400
  • Coats 8-10 then sand hull to a snow field with P220 followed by P400
  • Coats 11-13 then sand hull flat with P220 followed by P400 to a snow field
  • Coats 14-16 then sand hull flat with P220 followed by P400 to a snow field
  • Coats 17-20 then sand hull flat with P400 followed by P600 to a snow field

Once we have rolled and tipped the twentieth coat onto the hull, we examine surfaces for any remaining pits and sand to a snow field with P600.

  • Roll and tip coats 21 & 22, and let the varnish cure for at least two weeks, after which we wet sand with P1500, P2500 and P2500 and buff the surface absolutely flat to a glossy sheen that gives us the finish we seek.