Barry,
Thanks for posting wooden boat pictures!
I am very satisfied with the UV clear on the boats. It is the best repairable clear finish I have aver used for Wooden Boat Restoration. It is easily touched up. I can apply in one day, using the UV clear, what takes me a week or more, to apply with a brush.
My finishes are applied over a traditional hand brushed finish. I sand the Mahogany to 80 grit with the grain, carefully to remove all cross grain sand scratches. You can sand finer, but for Mahogany, it really is a waste of time IMO. I brush apply a oil-based paste wood filler and stain (mixed to the consistance of a thick house paint). When it starts to dry, wipe off with clean rags, against the grain to fill grain first, and then lightly with grain to uniform the color. Let dry overnight.
The next day I thin, amber colored polyurethane varnish (20 percent). Brush on and let dry overnight. Follow by another 5 or 6 coats of full strength varnish. Sand betweed coats with 320. I rarely sand the first three coats, as you don't want to sand through the stain. I use red scotch brite, on the early coats lightly. I level after 6 coats or so with DA dry. Wet sand for show boats, to avoid da swirl marks. If I had all the time in the world, I would wet-sand , for a better job...probably same grit, or a little finer, on build up. Some boats do require more coats. Grain does not have to be completely level, as the UV Clear levels well. Swirl marks in the build up virtually disapper, after the clear is applied.
I have used all popular marine top coats, such as Z-spar, Pettits, Epifanes, Awlspar, West Marine, Spar Varnish, Jet Speed, or Whatever you like. I do not prefer Minwax, but I have used it in a pinch...I do not use any water base.
The above is my foundation for the UV Clear. I only use the amber varnish over the stain to attain a rich uniform, amber color, that the stain provides.
I usually spray 3-4 coats clear in one day. I sand with 320 the next day to level surface. I then, spray 3-4 more coats of clear. Let dry overnight. Sand with 600, then 1000, then 1500 wet. Buff with Presta Cutting Creme, followed by 1500 polish. I use a Makita buffer with Presta Pads.
This is really a basic production approach, that most of my customers would be satisfied with. It is the best Bang for their Buck.
Best Regards, Todd Rissberger