G4 Thoughts

[Pat]

A minor plus for G4 is that you can buy it at the local garden centre (within a kilometre for us) rather than at the nearest chandlers (about 40 miles away).

[solentgal]

Interesting topic as I will have to do the Europa eventually......I have always used well thinned varnish (50/50), and well thinned metallic primer if painting, to prime.......If working in decent heat, (often in the sun) I usually find I can put 3 coats on in a day easily with really good penetration.

[Garry R]

Remember to divide it up into smaller sealed lots as it will go solid in the tin or container if it has access to damp air. Thus make sure you fill it to the top. I like to store it in plastic bottles with a plastic cap - just wonder id 1L milk bottles would be OK. If you store it in glass jars then you risk the top sticking solid and not being able to get it off and busting the glass in the process.

[Rupert]

There are various types of plastic I've found it melts, but the milk cartons appear to survive well. Pint size would be good, I'd think.

[momentum]

I beleive that on a poor surface G4 can provide an efficient way to seal the wood, better than varnish.
Moisture seems less likely to penetrate through treated decks compared with decks treated with UCP & varnish !
Didn't seem too much of a chore to apply a coat or two of cheap yacht varnish to provide a bit of UV protection.
Even so, on good surfaces I'd always follow the Epoxy or varnish route.

Just realised, I've stored the surplus G4 in a jam jar, must check that I can still open the top !

[Mark Jones]

Thanks for the replies so far. Any other thoughts welcomed.
A couple of quick points, wood is not in that good a condition, so G4 should be better for sealing it.
The other is putting a couple of quick coats of varnish over the G4 is a bit more of a task when the boat is 70 ' LWL and 90' LOA.

The other problem is that a lot of the lower planking needs replacing but lack of money and experience means this will not happen in the short term, so am thinking of using wood hardener below the waterline (she floats on each high tide)

Comments welcomed

Cheers
Mark

[Rupert]

How big???????

Wood hardener is great stuff, but not a miracle cure.

[Mark Jones]

As I said 70 foot Length Water Line, 90 foot Length Over All.
Wood hardener not meant to be miracle cure, just to delay the requirement to replace all planks below the water line for a little bit!, planks are 2 1/2 inch thick!

Cheers
Mark

[Mark Jones]

Thanks to Ed for the details of CFS.
Their guide states "G4 is affected by UV light which tends to yellow it although in general terms G4 will perform better than most other varnishes." they also state for external use they recommend Bonda marine wood seal. Any thoughts on this product?

Thanks
Mark

[roger]

Just a side comment.

My father in law had an old wooden barrell for a water butt that was leaking. The wood was dampish and I suggested G4 to help seal it. Five years on its still holds water so it works to keep water in so should as a short term measure keep water out.

Have you any pics of your boat.

Rog

[Ed]

My understanding is that the woodseal is just the same product....but with some UV filters in it...and maybe a bit more diluent?

havn't tried it....or can't remember if I have.

I reckon it is a bit more expensive.

cheers

eib

[Mark Jones]

Roger I take it the inside of the barrel was treated?
Not my boat just part of new job, but if you search for "ketch Garlandstone" you will get some pics, I will try to get some more over the summer and upload them.

Cheers
Mark

[roger]

yes inside Mark.

[chris]

g4 must go on bare wood.

[jpa_wfsc]

Bare wood -- what if you have sanded varnish down to the wood - can you use G4 then?