it was quite a nice day I see. I went back in files to see when I last did this work(it was today). It's due again and it seems premature. 8 years goes by quickly. But 8 years is pretty long in varnish life. Here's the same area of coaming yesterday. Cover still on, it's been cold and little is green on the other side of the cave. I would limp this varnish along a couple more years if I hadn't stripped the forward coaming for repair. Still 8 seasons is acceptable here, lots of dings from winch handles, sheet abrasion along the top. You can see typical varnish failure beginning along the bottom edge and a winch island bolt.

Here's what it required yesterday. The tools and process; heat gun, stiff scraper to gently(easy if the surface is flat) slide off 20 coats(+-), cabinet scraper(my favorite) carbide pull scrapers. I checked my phone, this took 20 minutes. I don't like sanding(it takes away wood) so I only do a few stokes with a block and 80 grit(my goal is a flatter surface than I started with). Just before I bring the brush out, a few strokes with #120 in a flat block and a tack rag. In real time, the entire cockpit wooding and varnish rebuild will take more like 8 hours spread over several weeks. The cabin back looks good for 3 or 4 more years. You can isolate areas of brightwork easily.

Then in a few days I hope, I'll see green grass in the daylight of the pulled back cover, the first exciting thinned coat, which lights up the old wood will flow on(I never tire of that moment!), and a new life(for varnish) and season begins.