alancrist Posted March 28, 2013 Report Share Posted March 28, 2013 I make landing nets and don't have a lot of experience with different finishing techniques. I have used polyurethane and spar urethane mostly. I think the spar urethane has better UV protection, and flexibility, but it yellows the wood more than I like. It is also hard to apply without drips and brush marks. I was wondering if anyone has any tips on good finishing techniques and products (or concoctions) for finishing landing nets. When in use, they don't stay wet a long time, but need some water resistance, of course, probably more UV protection than anything and flexibility. I was also wondering if I can put some sort of wax over spar urethane to kind of buff it and polish it up, maybe hiding the brush marks, etc. Would appreciate some help. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TRBaker Posted March 28, 2013 Report Share Posted March 28, 2013 Alan, welcome to the forum. Nice looking nets.....make me want to go trout fishing. If you don't like the spar varnish, then the first thing that comes to mind for me is a long proven marine finish ...West System epoxy. It gives you a lot of flexibility with the different catalyst options and you can even tint it if need be. Boatworks uses it a lot and can give you even better advise on its different uses. I've used it a lot on outdoor furniture and trim. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Boatworks Today Posted March 28, 2013 Report Share Posted March 28, 2013 Hey Alan, Welcome to the forum . I think if it were me I would look at applying a few coats of a clear epoxy and finish off with 2-3 coats of spar varnish. Going about it this way the light wood won't yellow. For this kind of finishing I like to use west system epoxy with their 207 clear hardener. It cures water clear (no tint or color) and if you're able to stick with it over the course of a day you can apply 3-4 coats of the epoxy without having to sand giving you a thick base to build off of. After it cures you'll definitely need to sand it smooth, then apply the varnish (my preference is Pettit Flagship varnish). Both the epoxy and varnish have UV blockers. Apply the varnish straight out of the can with a foam brush and it will look like an heirloom piece .. Beautiful nets by the way! 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
alancrist Posted March 28, 2013 Author Report Share Posted March 28, 2013 Thanks for the feedback and compliments. I will definitely get some of that West System Epoxy. Thanks for the link. What would be the purpose in putting spar over top of the epoxy? I am also, as I mentioned, interested in knowing about wax finishes like carnauba wax (heating them up, mixing with other products, etc.) as I've heard some people incorporate them into some of their finishes. Any thoughts out there? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Boatworks Today Posted March 28, 2013 Report Share Posted March 28, 2013 The varnish is for added UV protection.. As far as adding wax for an exterior finish I don't know that it would have any benefit. As far as I know that's something used mostly for interior work Adding wax on something that would potentially need "touch ups" down the road would complicate the process as the wax would mess with adding any kind of finish over it.. If you decide to try this, please post some follow up pics! If you go on Youtube and search for varnish over epoxy there are some tutorials on the specifics Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dwacker Posted March 28, 2013 Report Share Posted March 28, 2013 I got my net at 12 years old with nothing more than tung oil its been all over the world. If I was making nets to sell to today's gear junkies I'd just wipe on Waterlox marine sealer and top coat with wiped on Waterlox. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
alancrist Posted March 28, 2013 Author Report Share Posted March 28, 2013 Interesting idea, this shows my ignorance about tung and other oil finishes, but does it have any hardening effect on the wood? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TRBaker Posted March 29, 2013 Report Share Posted March 29, 2013 Alan, where do you buy the nets for the frames? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
alancrist Posted March 29, 2013 Author Report Share Posted March 29, 2013 They are Brodin net bags, which are rubber net bags. These are a clear, not black. They are much gentler on the fish and your hook and line don't get tangled at all. They dry quick too. You can order one or many. I have gotten him to give me free shipping when I order about 10 at a time, otherwise shipping is $5 a piece. Large net bags are $25 and extra large are $28. Those are the two I buy. Go to brodindirect.com and click on accessories. You'll find the dimensions of each one so you can decide which is best for what you want. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
alancrist Posted March 31, 2013 Author Report Share Posted March 31, 2013 Particle board, how do you feel the color of your wood net held up over the years with just tung oil? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dwacker Posted March 31, 2013 Report Share Posted March 31, 2013 Particle board, how do you feel the color of your wood net held up over the years with just tung oil? I'd say just fine. I don't baby my gear and I'm not a fair weather fisherman. It's beat up just like my old winston rod tube but that's to be expected. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TRBaker Posted April 1, 2013 Report Share Posted April 1, 2013 Thanks for that source, Alan. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
alancrist Posted April 8, 2013 Author Report Share Posted April 8, 2013 What about Thompsons Water Seal or something like that? What's that stuff made out of? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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