Coelan (Varnish)
Coelan have changed the size of their 750ml Range. Coelan will, when stocks change, be 1L. The factory has informed us this is to narrow the air surface space in tins, stopping any solidifying problems for the furture. A small increase for upgrading will occur. In general TBS holds its current price in spite of a coelan increase. TO WORK OUT USAGE 1 LITRE COELAN COVERS 1 SQ METRE WITH 6 COATS PLEASE NOTE: HORIZONTAL SURFACES SHOULD BE THINNED ABOUT 7%. 6 COATS REQUIRED. VERTICAL SURFACES SHOULD BE THINNED ABOUT 14%. 12 COATS REQUIRED. NOTE WELL: ON THE VERTICAL SURFACES IF YOU DON'T THIN ABOUT 14% AND PUT 12 COATS, IT MAY WELL HANG LIKE NORA BATTYS STOCKINGS. YOU HAVE BEEN WARNED! Please be aware that to conform to the new VOC regulations (volatile organic compounds) the primers for coelan have been slightly altered to conform. This in no way will detract from the original finish. "I believe that makes me the most competitive in the UK"
[1L] TINS YELLOWISH PRIMER NOW £39.50 - Plus vat [1 Ltr] RED PRIMER £39.50 - Plus vat [1 Ltr] TINS THINNERS £12.50 - Plus vat [3 Ltr] PAILS COELAN £149.00 - Plus vat [900 ML] TINS COELAN £47.50 - Plus vat [375 ML] TINS COELAN £28.50 - Plus vat [375 ML] TINS COELAN SATIN £28.50 - Plus vat [0.3 KILO] ANTI SLIP FOR DECKS £12.00 - Plus vat

From my own experience my bowsprit was coated 7 years ago and has had no recoating or maintenance whatsoever. I have spoken to people who applied this product ten years ago and they still have a wonderful finish. It is NOT affected by ultraviolet light, the enemy of all varnishes. Its finish isn't like normal varnish and has a finish which is more like glass.

Classic Boat test on varnish

IMPORTANT NOTE - This wonderful product can only be used on timber that is down to 15% moisture content.

ALSO - Please read temperature details on the tin. If you store this product where the temperature goes below 45 deg F it will solidify in the tin. So store in a warm ambient temperature.

Those of you with old wooden decks that currently leak. It is a solution for leaking decks providing moisture content is down to 15% and caulking fairly sound.It is necessary to take moisture readings over the areas you wish to coat with Coelan. The moisture content is critical for a successful application.

Moisture Meters
Now in stock Moisture meters @ £24 each. All you need to do is buy a small battery. I would urge all of you to invest in one of these as Coelan is not a cheap product and you need to know if moisture content in the wood is down to 15%
A simple but accurate moisture meter as shown for £24.00 plus vat

Coelan Primers

There are now two different primers. The yellow is for teak and light coloured woods, the red for mahogany and dark coloured woods.
It is necessary to apply two coats of primer. No thinners are necessary with the primer. Use 80 grit sandpaper for preparation. Coverage is 100ml per m2 per coat. 2 coats are required.

When ordering please state type of wood to be covered i.e Teak, Pitch Pine Mahogany, Oak etc so that the correct coloured primer is sent.

Coelan Transparent Finish - Gloss

This is supplied in 750ml tins so leaving you space for thinning if necessary with Coelan thinners. You cannot use any other thinners like acetone or white spirit. The varnish is flowed onto the surface. My experience is that it works very easily into horizontal surfaces when thinned, and I found it necessary to double thin to apply onto vertical surfaces. You must use 6 coats of the gloss as recommended by the manufacturer. Coverage is 1 litre per 1 sq metres 5 coats. Remember when calculating coverage product comes in 1 litre tins with 3/4 litre in the tin so that you can add thinners. You must put on 5 coats.

I still favour the 750 ml tin as if it does go off you have not lost so much. However I have added a 3 litre tin to those of you who have large areas to do.

Coelan Transparent Finish - Silk

This you can use as a finish coat which will give you a silk finish. It is supplied in smaller tins because you only need one coat.

Coelan Thinner

This is the only thinner you can use with this product. It will thin coelan transparent finishes and also wash and clean brushes and equipment.

Coelan Anti Slip

For decks and walking areas it is most important to sprinkle Anti Slip on the last coat as Coelan is ultra slippery when wet.. The 0.3kg tins are ideal to drill small 1mm holes in the top to make them like a pepper pot.
This will give you an even coverage to sprinkle over the last coat so giving you the grip your decks require.