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Product Details

Pettit's Z Spar Captain's Varnish is a high-solids marine varnish that is a copolymerization of several different resins and drying oils - it has found remarkable acceptance by users throughout the world. Captain's Varnish is recommended for the highest quality work. It has outstanding gloss retention and all-around durability. It is considered by its many users to be the most durable varnish ever offered to the boating trade. Contains Ultra Violet absorbers and filters.

Available in pints, quarts, gallons, and now in a 20 oz aerosol spray.

Tech Specs
Dry Time Hours Set-to-touchTack FreeDry Hard
90°F.1-3 hrs3-5 hrs8-12 hrs
70°F.2-4 hrs5-7 hrs12-20 hrs
50°F4-8 hrs12-16 hrs24-48 hrs
Info & Guides

    Technical Specifications

  • Resin: Alkyd/ Phenolic
  • Oil: Linseed/Tung
  • Oil Length: 20 gals.
  • UV Absorbers: Present
  • Solids (theoretical): Weight- 55 +- 1%, Volume- 48 +- 1%
  • Coverage: 585 sq. ft/gal.
  • VOC: 410 g/l (3.4 lbs/gal) as supplied
  • Flash Point:105Deg F
  • Application Method: Brush or Spray
  • Number of Coats: Bare Wood- 4 minimum, Existing Varnish- 2 minimum
  • Dry Film Thickness per coat: 1.5 mils (3.1 wet mils)
  • Application Temp: 40Deg F. Min., 90Deg F. Max.

  • APPLICATION INFORMATION
    Do not shake varnish. Stir gently before application, being careful not to introduce air bubbles into the varnish. Z*Spar 1015 Captain's Varnish may be applied by brush, conventional or airless spray. Thinning is not normally required although on warm days use Pettit 120/T10 Brushing Thinner at 5- 10% by volume to ease brushing and maintain good flow and levelling. When spraying, use Pettit 121/T8 Spraying Thinner up to 20% by volume. Spray one even, wet coat to minimize orange peel. Do not apply in heavy films or build coats too quickly as solvent entrapment, blistering or wrinkling may occur. Do not apply Captain's Varnish on extremely humid days or when rain is threatening. Do not apply in the late afternoon when working outdoors as the wet film may be adversely affected by dew. DO NOT apply this varnish to a wood hull which has been dried more than one week under conditions such as artificial heat. Do not use Captain's Varnish below the waterline on boats that remain in the water. The moisture content of the wood should be a minimum of 15% when varnished. This will eliminate expansion cracking, micro-checking and gloss loss when the varnish is in service.

  • SURFACE PREPARATION
    Wood must be clean, dry and properly prepared prior to varnishing. When sanding wood, always sand with the grain. Use a vacuum, air hose, or tack rag to remove all traces of sanding residue. Follow all surface preparation steps carefully, avoiding shortcuts. Inadequate surface preparation will virtually assure inadequate varnish performance.

Technical Information

  • Ultra Violet absorbers and filters for long-term gloss retention.
  • Recommended for the highest quality work
  • Outstanding gloss retention and all around durability.
  • This is the prefered varnish when painting in a variable environment.

WARNING: Cancer and Reproductive Harm - www.P65Warnings.ca.gov

Reviews for Z Spar Captains Varnish

10 of 52 Reviews

May 1, 2023

This is the varnish I use.
By Boat from Portlandville, ny

Verified Purchase

A good product that is reasonable to apply and has stood up well.

Bottom Line Yes, I would recommend to a friend

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April 26, 2023

Handy in a rattle can
By Hal from Hood River, Oregon

Verified Purchase

I've used Captains varnish on the boats I've built and restored for many years. It's easy to apply, builds well and looks fantastic. For my recent project though, I veneered the dashboard panel, console parts and ashtray with redwood burl veneer for a 1964 Studebaker Avanti which is being restored. I used a small compressed air automotive paint sprayer for the first 5 coats, which worked very well, but then found out the same product is available in a rattle can and decided to try it for the final coat. My goal was to get a flawless final spray coat, and avoid the cleanup hassle after spraying with a conventional spray gun. The product worked well and worked as I had hoped.


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March 12, 2023

Wow!
By JCAIRL from Toledo OH

Love this product! We've been varnishing for literally decades and this is a game change for us. Not so much for our 1958 43ft wooden yawl, but for smaller customer jobs at our architectural salvage business where we redo some antique and vintage pieces. Great option!

Bottom Line Yes, I would recommend to a friend

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August 11, 2022

Best varnish ever
By Kingfisher from Helena, Montana

Verified Purchase

See above

Bottom Line Yes, I would recommend to a friend

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July 5, 2022

Keep it Classic
By Tom P from Mooresville, NC

I use this stuff on everything. The results speak for themselves. I just refinished all of the wood on a Boston Whaler Montauk and the results are stunning.

"Call for Captain's!"
Bottom Line Yes, I would recommend to a friend

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May 6, 2022

Excellent, easy to use
By Sally from Sacramento

Verified Purchase

Super easy to use but wear, mask glove and tyvek to protect clothes. Fabulous shiny durable finish much better than other similar polyurethane varnishes.

Finished
Bottom Line Yes, I would recommend to a friend

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March 22, 2022

Awesome product
By Vermont1790 from Vermont

Verified Purchase

As a high end custom furniture maker for 35 years I have tried EVERY possible wood finish on the market, I have used Captains 1015 exclusivly for the past 10-11 years with ZERO problems. I have used it as a 'film' finish but mostly as an 'oil finish' here's how; 4 parts Captains, to 1 part xylene. Flood the surface, wipe off excess, let dry 24-48 hours. Scuff off the whiskers and mix the remaining thinned Captains; 2 parts thinned Caps, to 1 part boiled linseed oil , then this mixture used as an 'oil finish' in the usual way. Shhhh, now you know my best kept secret! ;) Give it a try, use with confidence!

Bottom Line Yes, I would recommend to a friend

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February 23, 2022

Looks Great!
By Tim@35613 from Athens, Alabama

Verified Purchase

I used this on a canoe I just finished building. The gloss is great and it flows really well. You have to be careful to brush or roll it out as it seems to be self leveling. If you put it on too heavy it will run. I was a commercial painting contractor for about 50 years and I haven't never used a varnish that looks this good.

Bottom Line Yes, I would recommend to a friend

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August 11, 2021

This is the best varnish.
By Bernie from Cohocton, NY

Verified Purchase

It is the only varnish I use. It goes on smoothly, and dries to a beautiful finish.

Bottom Line Yes, I would recommend to a friend

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August 9, 2021

Good results, even for a rank amateur!
By Woody from Athens, Ga

Verified Purchase

After numerous YouTubes and reading instructions on everything from brushes, dust abatement and "tipping off", I took the plunge with the Captain's varnish. After spending hours building a specialty Yacht step box, I didn't want to ruin the end result with a finish that was something less than fantastic. The varnish was great, my skills improved and the result is something I can be proud of. The next time will be even better now that I've learned lessons that only experience can teach. One of those lessons is to keep using Captain's Varnish!

Yacht Step Box
Bottom Line Yes, I would recommend to a friend

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