This is what we use to varnish CLC's fleet. The easiest varnish on the market to apply, but brings up a lovely deep amber gloss over epoxy and/or wood. Schooner® combines the very best of classic varnish chemistry to create a high gloss finish with a traditional warm golden color. If you don't paint, Schooner varnish is required to protect epoxy from UV rays. Interlux Schooner is like SPF 5,000 sunblock for your boat.

Please read our shop tip: The Varnished Kayak. While written for kayak builders, the information is appropriate for anyone varnishing over epoxied wood.

The instructions on the can say "Not for use below waterline," which causes some confusion. What Interlux means by this is that it isn't for big, heavy boats that live in the water for months or years. For kayaks, canoes, dinghies, rowing boats and so on, which never spend more than a few weeks at a time in the water, there is no issue and we've been using it on Light Craft for 20 years. If your boat is going to live in the water, you'll need "antifouling" paint, anyway.

You'll need two quarts of varnish to get 4 or 5 coats over an entire kayak. Applied in the shade between 60 and 85 degrees F, we don't thin this varnish. If it's hotter than that, try to wait for a cooler day!

* International Customers: we do not ship this product outside of the US.

When applying varnish and marine paints, we recommend using
the 3M 6000 Series Respirator with Vapor Cartridges.