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Finishing a new, bare wood stern pole.

One part science, five parts experimentation. Every wood boat veteran has their secret recipe for a showy finish. Share your trials and triumphs.

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DShone
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Finishing a new, bare wood stern pole.

Post by DShone » Mon May 15, 2017 11:43 pm

Anyone have any tips on how to apply Epifanes to my new, bare wood stern pole? I have no experience in doing so. My boat is a 1948 Chris Craft Sportsman Deluxe. Thank you in advance.

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mbigpops
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Re: Finishing a new, bare wood stern pole.

Post by mbigpops » Tue May 16, 2017 6:59 am

The process is pretty much the same as what you would do on the hull - except you don't roll and tip a pole. You can just brush on the varnish. I assume that you have already stained it to match the hull if you are asking about the varnish step.

When I did mine I think I did 4 coats - scuffing with a scotchbrite pad for the first two and then light sanding the third. You can do as many coats as you like but mine looked great after four.

Mark
1953 CC Rocket Runabout "Rocket Man"

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Bilge Rat
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Re: Finishing a new, bare wood stern pole.

Post by Bilge Rat » Tue May 16, 2017 10:38 am

I agree with mbigpops answer but I'll add that if you take a thick scrap piece of wood and bore a hole a little larger than the pole base (a little less than the depth of the brass/chrome ferrule) it makes a nice drying holder.
1966 Lyman Cruisette 25 foot "Serenity Now!"
1953 Chris Craft Sportsman 22 foot "Summerwind"

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robertpaul
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Re: Finishing a new, bare wood stern pole.

Post by robertpaul » Tue May 16, 2017 11:37 am

The scrap of wood as a holder is going into my "now, why didn't I think of that?" file of simple and clever things to remember. Sweet!
1937 35' Double Stateroom Enclosed Cruiser

DShone
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Re: Finishing a new, bare wood stern pole.

Post by DShone » Tue May 16, 2017 12:53 pm

Mark & Bilge Rat, thank you for the tips. I haven't stained the pole yet. I have no idea what stain to use? We just bought our boat last summer, our first wood boat. What type of brush would work best? Thanks, Doug.

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rpccc43
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Re: Finishing a new, bare wood stern pole.

Post by rpccc43 » Tue May 16, 2017 1:21 pm

I'd use a sanding sealer on bare wood. Assuming you want the traditional Chris Craft color, use Interlux Interstain # 573 Chris Craft Stain. This is a solid body stain and you can rub it on or thin it for brushing. I have always had good luck with thinning to a point where I can brush it on (think like a fine olive oil consistency), let it sit for 15 minutes or so then wipe it off with a clean cotton rag. Experiment on some scrap wood first to get a feel of how it works. ~ R

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mbigpops
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Re: Finishing a new, bare wood stern pole.

Post by mbigpops » Tue May 16, 2017 2:14 pm

A good quality foam brush works well for applying the varnish. It will flex enough to pick up the radius of the pole and just work your way around until everything is wet and then make some full length passes from top to bottom to make sure everything is even.

For the stain application you can use a throw away chip brush and as was already mentioned wipe the excess with a clean cotton rag or cheese cloth.

After sanding between varnish coats use a varnish based tack cloth (not wax) to get all the dust particles off the pole.

Good luck

Mark
1953 CC Rocket Runabout "Rocket Man"

jim g
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Re: Finishing a new, bare wood stern pole.

Post by jim g » Tue May 16, 2017 10:42 pm

Put a a hook in the ceiling and a small ring hook into the pole and hang it with a piece of string. If you drop it it just swings with out hitting anything and messing up your varnish.

1 inch foam brush works really well.

DShone
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Re: Finishing a new, bare wood stern pole.

Post by DShone » Wed May 17, 2017 3:25 pm

Thank you for all of your advice. Time for me to get to work. DS.

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Chad Durren
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Re: Finishing a new, bare wood stern pole.

Post by Chad Durren » Thu May 18, 2017 8:45 pm

Sorry, one more tip...

I refinished a raw wood pole years ago that had not been finish-sanded. I went right to stain and varnish.

They are simply knocked-out on the lathe and may have scratches from being sanded with course grit sandpaper while spinning. To remove the scratches, sand the the pole lengthwise with 150-220 grit.

Be sure to rub the pole down with mineral spirits before staining, it will expose any remaining scratches (if there are any).
1952 CC 18' Sportsman
1969 CC 19' Commander Super Sport

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tkhersom
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Re: Finishing a new, bare wood stern pole.

Post by tkhersom » Fri May 19, 2017 6:59 am

I have had good luck with Sandusky filler stain. I have also heard great things about the Gel Stain that Mike Mayer is now selling.
Try rubbing off the filler stain with burlap, it works great.

http://www.loboat.com/

I hang my pole from the ceiling. (it makes for a good winter project in the spare bedroom)
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varnishroom.jpg
Stern pole varnishing with a little help from my friends. (photo was photo shopped by another friend)
Troy in ANE - Former President CCABC

1957 CC 21' Continental "Yorktown" (Mom's boat)
https://www.chris-craft.org/boats/22625/
1985 Formula 242LS "Gottago"
1991 Formula 36PC "Band Aids"

Life Is Too Short To Own An Ugly Boat

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mbigpops
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Re: Finishing a new, bare wood stern pole.

Post by mbigpops » Fri May 19, 2017 3:17 pm

If you have a big pole you need a big hole. If you have a small pole you need a small hole.

Mark
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1953 CC Rocket Runabout "Rocket Man"

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island time
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Re: Finishing a new, bare wood stern pole.

Post by island time » Fri May 19, 2017 7:25 pm

Lots of good information here, good to see member interaction!
But I have a question about something in one of the replies. What is a varnish based tack cloth? I've never heard of this.

Craig
Craig Wilson
Churchville, NY
Alexandria Bay, NY

1968 23' Chris Craft lancer
1971 31' Revelcraft
1988 25' Fourwinns
1972 19' Chris Craft Lancer
1957 18' Chris Craft Sea Skiff
1958 18' Chris Craft Sea Skiff
1968 23' Chris Craft Commander

joanroy
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Re: Finishing a new, bare wood stern pole.

Post by joanroy » Fri May 19, 2017 8:31 pm

My original 1948 flag pole is made out of fur. Correct me if I'm wrong, but weren't the fur poles just varnished and Not stained?

Troy, if available, I'd be interested in hiring your pole varnisher. My pole is not as long as yours so perhaps I could get a reduced rate.

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mbigpops
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Re: Finishing a new, bare wood stern pole.

Post by mbigpops » Sat May 20, 2017 7:34 am

Craig,

Google "Crystal tack cloth" and read the product description.

Mark
1953 CC Rocket Runabout "Rocket Man"

jfrprops
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Re: Finishing a new, bare wood stern pole.

Post by jfrprops » Sat May 20, 2017 10:44 am

I relish posts like this one that TAKE OFF!

Here we have as many good comments and good advice as we would get if the topic was 5200 bottoms or 431 rebuilds!!

and we are talking about a little flag pole!

Neat. Gotta luv it....

John in Va.
1980 Fairchild Scout 30
19?? custom Argentine Runabout 16'
1954 Whirlwind deluxe dual ckpt 16'
1921 Old Town Charles River 17' (founding Captain, James River Batteau Festival)

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