I have pourch swing that I built with white oak slat type. I finished it with marine varnish, 5 coats, with light sanding between coats. The instructions on the can said no sealer, preimer or conditioning needed. After 2 years, the part that is facing the sun, is pealing off a lot. What did I do wrong? And what can I do to prevent the same thing from happing again, I intend to sand off all the loose varnish and then refinish, but what do I use?
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The only thing you likely did wrong is that you didn't scuff sand and add a refresher coat or two at the end of the first season. Clear marine varnishes call for annual maintenance if there is sun.
You didn't mention the brand you used. Marine spar varnishes, regardless of how nautical sounding the name, are never found in the big box stores, and only occasionally in regular paint stores (and then only in yachting crazy towns like Newport, Annapolis, or Essex, CT.) These are made by Epifanes (Clear Gloss), Pettit (Captain's) or Interlux (Schooner). The place to find them are boating supply stores or on-line.
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