Down the Varnish Rabbit Hole
The truth is hard to explain
We all love that fresh, glossy varnish finish — so let’s just get that out of the way.
In yesterday’s comments, Bob Murdock shared a bit of his adventure down the varnish rabbit hole, and for the first time, it all clicked. What clicked, you ask? Why sometimes a boat just doesn’t feel right.
Satin varnish on Natalie didnt feel right
I know that sounds a little emotional for a guy with a sander in his hand. But texture can be just as important as color. Just as important as the right screw. Or the right engine.
This kind of thinking sits outside the strict, factory-correct mindset that defines classic boat restoration. After all, we’re trying to replicate what the factory would have done a technical pursuit. But like anything worth doing, there’s always a balance: the rational and the emotional, the technical and the human.
When those two worlds meet that’s where the magic happens.
Art and science in harmony.
white?
The technical side is easy to document and replicate. The emotional side? That’s trickier. That’s the domain of the artist the slightly odd ones who may not know how to tie their shoes but somehow see truth in wood and varnish. And you love them for it.
Where was I? Shoes? Socks? varnish!
How did it look from the factory?
As Bob said:
“Yep, definitely satin. They didn’t have much gloss back then or chromates until 1934–35.
That’s why we did nickel, not chrome, when we restored Taylor M.
…During that time, Chris-Craft had to make payroll somehow. Not every boat came out the same — some frames weren’t even close to a clean joint, and steel screws and nails were everywhere. As the Depression deepened, they were just thrilled to ship a boat and get paid to keep the doors open.
Have fun, my brother, and don’t hit your head on the ceiling of that rabbit hole! I’ve got a spare helmet if you need it…”
That right there — that’s the heart of the whole obsession.
To restore a boat, you have to understand not just how it was built, but why. The emotion of the time. The motivation. The soul behind the work. Only then have you really restored or preserved a classic anything.
And yes, back to varnish: knowing the chemistry of finishes is like understanding anatomy before sculpting a person.
To some, I’m just rambling. To others, I’m trying to explain the unexplainable how to capture emotion.
That’s the part no book, and no AI bot, can quite replicate.
It takes deep knowledge, experience, and a very human hand to guide the process.
The feel is as important as the structure at HQ
If you think this is just about boats, it’s not, it is in every element of our lives. Our memories, our passions, and even our tastebuds. below is a documentary that captures perfectly the process, and why you need an artist to be guiding the process. And yes, deep pockets and a rational partner to help it all. And why I am having so much fun at the railway, and have such a difficult time trying to explain how to evolve it to a real useable space not a museum.
I guess that video is a little over my head, but I do love what Bob Murdock has done with Taylor M!
Dear Matt,
There’s a fine line between the words “Obsessed” and “Possessed”.
Whether a restoration, railway or marina, a person’s “passions” can sometimes get out of hand….
I’m just very happy that you and our WoodyBoater universe of good people understand each other and that we’re our own support system, without resorting to professional help while being “possessed” with our “obsessions”……
I can tell you this, without my lovely wife Patti and my best friend Bob Bramlage guiding the process, and so, so many others, “Taylor M” would have remained kindling.
We’re blessed to have these enablers in our wooden universe that allow us the daily fantasy of what could be and “what if we did”………
Whew. Thank heavens.
I met Bob and Taylor M at Woods & Water II at Gull Lake. So good to meet someone you only know through Woody Boater. But, wow, that satin finish on Taylor M was so beautiful. That boat just stood out and looked so right. And, of course, there was a historical reason for that finish.
The satin on these boats is amazing!
I understand why Satin did not feel right on Natalie and I would never want to see a Satin Riva, but on B it would be AMAZING!
Chris-Craft’s were rubbed to a satin finish inside and out until 1931 when they improved the varnish area enough that they went all gloss. White deck seams began in 1931 as well.
Gar Wood did satin decks and dashes until 1940 when they built a better varnish building (Except for one year in 1927 they did 180 boats in clear lacquer)
Beautiful example. I’m guessing that’s a boat hook or a paddle sticking out from under the dash?
Yep!
Original boat hook and dated paddle in the original clips on top of the kickboard.
All hull side wood is original too.
Notice the “Taylor M” lettering on the sides is shifted to the right a bit. That’s intentional because the hull card shows it that way and the CC paint artist duplicated the image!
Matte finish is great on nice clear wood with no imperfections and declivities. For example, a matte finish on a dash plank while the rest of the ceiling and covering boards are high gloss adds a level of refinement/sophistication. In the most recent hot rod/ and custom car building world you see matte finish on interiors and under hoods while the body exterior has a high gloss topcoat. Have fun.
I have an old 21′ Matthews launch (1902) which I redid last year with Captain’s amber gloss varnish. Are you saying that pre-1930s boats should be done in satin or matte as gloss did not exist? I teeter on the “possessed and obsessed” axis constantly with the old girl.
I also went Kirby semi-gloss paint on the sides due to the muddy river I keep her on, but in hindsight, it didn’t help keep her any cleaner, so maybe should have gone flat to keep her more original?
One wag of a friend said I should have used a whisk broom to apply the paint as many early boats came out of the factory (especially Lymans) looking like that was the applicator of choice!