I just completed my first set of canoe paddles (I'll share photos once the varnish is done). I found that while the construction part was quick, moving to fiberglass and varnishing is slower. After applying each coat of epoxy, I have to wait a day before the next, followed by a similar wait for varnish coats—making the total finishing time 7 to 10 days per paddle! I'm curious how commercial operations, particularly in paddlemaking and marine applications, manage this process. Do they take as long, or are they using quicker-curing products? I noticed in a video from Sanborn Paddle Co. that they might be using water-based poly, but is it durable enough to withstand water exposure and UV effects?
7 Answers
In a production setting, shops batch work to maintain a client pipeline. While one batch of paddles is curing, they’re already starting on the next set, keeping the workflow moving. In my cabinetry experience, you just build downtime into your schedule. You get the finish on, and while it cures, move on to other tasks. It keeps things efficient!
The secret is using catalyzed finishes! These are a two-part mix of oil-based varnish with an activator, allowing you to sand and recoat within just about 30 minutes. Plus, using a pump spray application can let you cover a ton of surface area quickly. While you have to be careful, it can drastically reduce overall cure times—ideal for commercial setups.
That’s right! Many commercial shops will finish multiple items at once. So even if one paddle takes two weeks, they’ll likely have several others in various stages of finishing, keeping production moving along smoothly.
We’ve incorporated curing booths in our cabinet shop that can fully cure finishes in just an hour or so. It’s a big investment but seriously speeds up the finishing time—it's like a game changer!
For finishing, it varies a lot depending on whether you're doing interior or exterior work. For indoor projects like cabinets, water-based lacquers are fantastic because they dry quickly—30 minutes between coats! Outdoors, though, I'd stick with oil-based finishes since they really protect the wood better than anything water-based. Penetrating oils work well for exterior applications, giving lasting protection without the hassle of extensive coating. Just remember, outdoor wood needs maintenance, and oil finishes have been proven to last longer historically than synthetic coatings.
I'm using penetrating oil for my paddle grips since it's more comfortable, but I was worried about the blade needing something tougher like spar urethane because of UV exposure. Any thoughts?
Finishing typically requires patience, and even pros will often need to wait for each layer to cure. But the difference lies in their process management and the use of technology to speed it all up, like sealed paint rooms or specialized booths for optimal drying.
There are actually some UV curing wood finishes available now that cure almost instantly under UV light, but they can be tricky to use correctly. I find that the hardwax oils dry quickly too, and they’re easier to apply without the hassles of those UV sets. For general use, these are usually great options without the technical risk of mess-ups with UV finishes.
I've tried those UV curing finishes, and while they're great, they're also really easy to mess up. Hardwax oils are a solid choice for regular projects.
Got it, so what's a solid penetrating finish for something like a croquet mallet? It's going to be tossed around outside a bit.