Correct clear coat for dash

[bluesbrother30]

Back to the project. I had a woodwork guy put new veneer on my dash. He did a fine job on the veneer and stain but put only one very thin coat of clear. Reading bits and pieces from the forum, can I apply several coats of a "thicker" polyurethane clear until I get the correct depth that I want? Of course there will be fine sanding and polishing. I went down to the local home improvement store and the Minwax brand clear urethane was like water. Can someone recommend the correct brand and type of clear for me to use?? California based.

Mike Summers

[elanfan1]

I would have thought most polyurethane varnishes are much the same. You need check with the veneer guy that what he used actually was polyurethane as if it isn't you could get a reaction.

[KevJ+2]

I used Plasti-Kote polyurethane spray varnish on mine but have also heard of many liking Rustins.

[Craven]

Hi,
Traditionally a varnish finish is built up by many coats; start with a thin diluted coat building up to the final undiluted coat.
But today an epoxy is used where the surface is flooded with the coating material.
Lots of info on the net.
If you have a DHC then not all finishes are for exterior use. Look at ships varnish.
Ron.

[cabc26b]

I don't know if this classifies as correct, but for what its worth i have moved away from the reduced to unreduced varnish routine to using a base of clear epoxy (West 205 with 207 special clear harder ) that is blocked flat followed by multiple coats of automotive high solids clear urethane - there is no amber tint , so your base color is what comes through. The finish is also hard pretty much from the get go vs poly of spar varnish that takes a while..

George

[archigator]

I posted about 8 years ago regarding how I refinished my dash. It's been in for 13 years now and has no cracking whatsoever.

http://www.lotuselan.net/forums/lotus-chassis-f36/dash-refinishing-t19702.html

Gary
'71 Sprint FHC
Miami, Florida

[rady32md]

Had success using Plasti-Kote polyurethane spray. The technique is to apply a very thin coat.