Pettit Captain's Varnish

Pettit Captain's Varnish Traditional Marine Varnish

Pettit's Captain Varnish is a favorite among traditional marine industry professionals. Captain's Varnish 1015 is highly regarded for its ease of application, outstanding gloss retention and tough yet flexible durability. A combination of phenolic and alkyd resins blended with tung and linseed oils provide excellent performance. It's warm, light amber hue will enhance the rich, classic bright work appearance. Contains ultraviolet absorbers and filters.

Associated Products:

• 120 Thinner -For brushing and clean up
• 121 Thinner -Spraying Application

How to Apply Pettit Captain's Varnish

Do not shake varnish. Stir gently before application, being careful not to introduce air bubbles into the varnish. Captain's Varnish can be applied by brush, conventional, or airless spray. Thinning is not typically required, although on warm days you can use Pettit 120 Brushing Thinner at 5-10% by volume to ease brushing. When spraying, use Pettit 121 Spraying Thinner up to 20% by volume.

Application Systems

• Bare Wood
• Sand surface completely smooth with 180-320 grit production paper. Wipe surface to remove sanding residue.
• For new work on open grained wood, the use of Pettit or Z-Spar Past Wood Filler Stain is required to achieve a smooth finish. Let dry overnight.
• For new work on closed grained woods such as pine, maple, spruce, etc. the use of Wood Filler Stain is usually not required.
• Apply a generous covering coat of Pettit Clear Sealer. Let it dry overnight and thoroughly sand with 220 grit sandpaper.
• Apply at least four coats of Captain's Varnish.
• Let each coat dry overnight, sand with 220 grit sandpaper and clean off residue before applying the next coat.
• Sand the next to last coat with 400 grit production paper and clean off sanding residue before applying final coat.
• Varnished Wood in Good Condition
• Wipe old varnish with Pettit 120 Brushing Thinner to be sure all dirt, wax, polish, and/or grease has been removed.
• Thoroughly sand the existing varnish with 180-220 grit production paper and wipe clean with a tack rag.
• Apply at least two coats of Captain's Varnish.
• Let the first coat dry overnight, sand with 400 grit sandpaper and clean off residue before applying final coat.
• Varnished Wood in Poor Condition
• Remove all the old varnish with a paint and varnish remover or by sanding.
• Bleach the wood if necessary to remove water stains.
• Proceed with the system for bare wood above.
• Bare Teak (or other woods with high oil content)
• Sand the wood smooth with 120 grit production paper to open up the grain.
• Wipe the surface thoroughly with Pettit 120 Brushing Thinner in an effort to aggressively remove as much oil as possible.
• Apply a generous coat of Pettit Clear Sealer.
• After an overnight dry, lightly sand the surface with 220 grit sandpaper and wipe it clean with a rag dampened with Pettit 120 Brushing Thinner.
• Apply at least four coats of Captain's Varnish. 
• Let each coat dry overnight, sand with 220 grit sandpaper, and clean off sanding residue before applying the next coat.
• Sand the next to last coat with 400 grit production paper prior to applying the final coat.

 Click to Download Pettit Captain's Varnish Application Instructions

Frequently Asked Questions

What is Pettit Captain's Varnish Traditional Marine Varnish used for?

Pettit Captain's Varnish Traditional Marine Varnish is a durable marine varnish formulated with alkyd and phenolic resins blended with linseed and tung oils. It provides a warm, light amber appearance along with gloss retention, UV protection, and a tough yet flexible finish.

How many coats of Pettit Captain's Varnish should be applied?

For bare wood, apply at least four coats of Captain's Varnish. For varnished wood in good condition, apply at least two coats. Each coat should be allowed to dry overnight and sanded as directed before applying the following coat.

How should Pettit Captain's Varnish be prepared before application?

Do not shake the varnish. Stir it gently before application while taking care not to introduce air bubbles. Thinning is generally not required, but Pettit 120 Brushing Thinner can be added at 5-10% by volume for brushing on warm days, while Pettit 121 Spraying Thinner can be used up to 20% by volume for spraying.

What surfaces can Pettit Captain's Varnish be applied to?

Pettit Captain's Varnish can be used on bare wood and existing varnished wood. For bare wood, the surface should be sanded smooth and prepared according to the applicable wood system. Bare teak and other high-oil-content woods require additional preparation with Pettit 120 Brushing Thinner before varnishing.

What temperature range is recommended for applying Pettit Captain's Varnish?

The recommended application temperature range for Pettit Captain's Varnish is 40°F to 90°F. Drying times vary with temperature. At 70°F, the varnish is set-to-touch in approximately 2-4 hours, tack-free in 5-7 hours, and dry hard in 12-20 hours.

Can Pettit Captain's Varnish be applied by brush or spray?

Yes. Pettit Captain's Varnish can be applied by brush, conventional spray, or airless spray. Pettit 120 Brushing Thinner is associated with brushing and cleanup, while Pettit 121 Spraying Thinner is specified for spraying applications.