Wood exterior finish

[Michael Caswell]

I am going to sand down my 1938 Ford Woodie, then clear coat. What is the best clear coating to use/apply? Thanks, Mike

[bryankazmer]

there are some newer varnishes, with UV inhibitors,  that do not require sanding between coats - check with Total Boat.

[Tom Boehm]

Total Boat is sold by Jamestown Distributors. 

[NewOldWood]

I've used Interlux, Pettit, Epifanes, and some others with good results. Even tried the West Marine house brand one time and was very impressed. I bought a can of Total Boat gloss varnish recently and will never buy it again. The first thing I noticed was that it was very thin, almost watery, and it dried to something between gloss and satin. Jamestown Distributors is a good source of any of the other varnishes, and many other things as well, but no more Total Boat for me.

 

Spar (type not brand) varnish is what you want, it will have the UV filters that you definately need.

[nickelroadster]

I have had perfectly good results just using automotive clear coats.  I just use smith's epoxy sealer to seal things first.

[Porsche 68]

I sanded off all the old cracking peeling off varnish and just brushed on linseed oil has the look I was going for not restoring the truck just preserving don’t like clearing too shiny 

[Guest]

12 hours ago, nickelroadster said:

I have had perfectly good results just using automotive clear coats.  I just use smith's epoxy sealer to seal things first.

 I once used an auto finish and in a few years it peeled off of the wood.

                              🥵   😝

[nickelroadster]

That is the reason that yo would use Smith's epoxy sealer first.  Do that and you will have no problem

[Restorer32]

On the two woodies we restored, a '49 Olds and a '47 Cadillac we used automotive clear tinted to look like varnish.  Google '49 Olds Woodie to see the results.  It's the green one.