Model Boat Mayhem

The Shipyard ( Dry Dock ): Builds & Questions => Steam => Topic started by: monarch on April 24, 2009, 10:19:26 pm

Title: Boiler lagging varnish
Post by: monarch on April 24, 2009, 10:19:26 pm

Hi
What varnish are you guys using on your wood boiler lagging, it needs to withstand heat and possibly high humidity.
Your views most welcome.

Title: Re: Boiler lagging varnish
Post by: knoby on April 25, 2009, 10:26:21 am

Hi monarch, try a look here   http://www.tryrelics.co.uk/catalogue/A/32  , i have used this on the inside of a steam room & its great. But personally i use 2 pack car laquer because im a car painter by trade. Although i appreciate there are some practicle health & safety issues with the car paint fumes & overspay sticks to everything.
I'd be inerested to hear what the others use to
cheers Glenn

Title: Re: Boiler lagging varnish
Post by: MONAHAN STEAM MODELS on April 25, 2009, 04:57:22 pm

We use Arm-R-Seal by General Finishes on our boiler lagging. It is an oil & urethane top coat. Not sure if you can source it in the UK but it may be worth looking into. This finish is very durable and doesn't seem to yellow or darken with heat.

Regards,

Nick

Title: Re: Boiler lagging varnish
Post by: monarch on April 25, 2009, 09:10:18 pm

Hi
It appears that ARM-R-SEAL is available in the UK, but sure there are others that are interested in what type of varnish the experts use, so lets here for you.

Title: Re: Boiler lagging varnish
Post by: monarch on April 29, 2009, 06:35:12 pm

Thanks, to the two that responded to my question and shame on the rest, have to start somewhere and a little more help from someone new to steam would have been helpful.

Title: Re: Boiler lagging varnish
Post by: Bunkerbarge on April 29, 2009, 08:08:08 pm

...and shame on you for being so impatient.  You've probably just reduced the possibilites of any further assistance in the future by quite a margin!! ;)

Title: Re: Boiler lagging varnish
Post by: monarch on April 29, 2009, 08:30:27 pm

Hi  Bunkerbarge
Sorry you feel that way, i didn't mean to upset anyone but seemed to be getting little response from all the experts, am just trying to learn like you all have at some point. Sorry again if I've offended anyone.

Title: Re: Boiler lagging varnish
Post by: Bunkerbarge on April 29, 2009, 08:45:24 pm

We'll soon know by the level of responses you get from now on!!  Sometimes it takes a few days for members to get around to answering something and sometimes they miss the questions in the first place.  A gentle reminder might be a bit more productive.

As for myself I have boilers with polyeurethane varnish on (the outside only is the recommended procedure) and some with no more than oil rubbed into the wood.  Have a read through this thread which goes into lagging finishes later and note the link to Paddleducks, which is also a mine of useful information.

http://www.modelboatmayhem.co.uk/forum/index.php?topic=15648.0

Title: Re: Boiler lagging varnish
Post by: monarch on April 29, 2009, 09:05:26 pm

Hi
Thanks for link, there appear to be 2 preferred methods firstly polyurethane varnish or oiling the wood.
Has anyone tried both ways and if so which did they prefer?
As a newbie I will be more patient in future

Title: Re: Boiler lagging varnish
Post by: ian kennedy on April 29, 2009, 09:43:53 pm

Hello Monarch,

For boiler lagging sealers i would go down the oil route, using Starbrite linseed oil applied by cotton cloth to the outside only and give it about 4-5 coats allowing it to dry between coats.

Any good boat chandler will sell you a small bottle for about £8.00.

Don't forget to let it dry completely (a few days should be ok) before firing the boiler as you could get some combustion/charing on the outside of the boiler.

Hope this helps

Ian

Title: Re: Boiler lagging varnish
Post by: monarch on April 29, 2009, 10:02:12 pm

Hello Ian

Have you tried any polyurethane varnish finish such as the ARM-R-SEAL mentioned earlier in the posts. the oil solution works out a fair bit cheaper than the American finishes which I have managed to source in the UK.

Thanks for your help

Title: Re: Boiler lagging varnish
Post by: ian kennedy on April 29, 2009, 10:16:36 pm

Hi Monarch,

I prefer oil and have never tried polyurethane varnishes, as the lagging boards are glue attached to a heat proof webbing and have to remain flexible so i can then wrap them around the boiler after all the various holes have been cut out for the fittings.

Ian

Title: Re: Boiler lagging varnish
Post by: monarch on April 29, 2009, 10:25:43 pm

Hello Ian
Do I gather that you oil the wood lagging before fitting it to the boiler or after the wood is glued to the fibre.

I ask because I have already fixed the wood to the Knowool (excuse spelling) from Polly.

Thanks  Monarch

Title: Re: Boiler lagging varnish
Post by: ian kennedy on April 29, 2009, 11:07:24 pm

Hi Monarch,

The process i use is thus.....

Cut heat proof webbing to size of the wrap of boiler

Glue the bare timber strips to the webbing with a heat proof flexible adhesive, making sure that the strips don't stick to each other edge to edge.

Oil the timber on the outside only 4-5 coats min

Mark out and cut the fitting apetures through the timber boiler lagging from the outside/oiled side

Temporarily hold the lagging sheet with pvc electrical tape around the boiler while fittting the boiler bands


Hope this helps

Ian

Title: Re: Boiler lagging varnish
Post by: monarch on April 30, 2009, 04:52:20 pm

Hello Ian
Thanks, I think that I understand what process you have taken.
Will cut some small bits of timber and try some oil on those and another with Polyurethane and try and oven and humidity test and see what happens.
Thanks for your help, and the info thats available on this forum and to the people who input so much of it keep up the marvelous work.

Regards

Title: Re: Boiler lagging varnish
Post by: ian kennedy on April 30, 2009, 11:53:59 pm

Hi Monarch,

You are welcome...any help is good help, and a bit of trial and error never did any harm.....good luck

Ian