The Brightwork Companion

Overview

A hands-on handbook for the do-it-yourself refinisher

From the author of the revered classic Brightwork: The Art of Finishing Wood comes this lifeline for the weekend warrior with a brush, a can of varnish, and two days to show results. As elegantly written, photographed, and color printed as its predecessor, The Brightwork Companion provides a stripped-to-the-essentials, topicby- topic presentation of procedures, bulleted lists, and summary tables.

Rebecca Wittman helps readers evaluate the condition of their boats' wooden elements and provides easy-to read, two-page spreads that minimize page turning with varnish-coated fingers. This completely practical guide makes every brightwork project easier with:

• Step-by-step procedures for bleaching, sanding, stripping, oiling, varnishing, and more
• Carefully designed lists, tables, and index for ease of use and reference
• Beautiful color photos
• Refinishing instructions for spars, decks, trim, interiors, and more

Table of contents

Preface
How this book appends, but differs from, The Original, and therefore why it is advisable to own both versions.
part one: the Brightwork enigma: an introduction
chapter one: the more things change, the more they stay the same . . .
A few words about the enduring natureof brightwork methodology
chapter two: afflictions and cures . . .
Dreamboat turns nightmare; Choosing a path of brightwork stewardship; Levels of varnish deterioration, and their cures
chapter three: now, about varnish--in a nutshell
What's the basic formula?; Varnishes and solvents, briefly!
part 2: the refinishing program
chapter four: order in the port!
Plan the projects--all of them, in logical order; Learn to read the weather; Shop for materials--Once! (or at least not eighty-three times . . . ); Prep the boat and get to work!
chapter five: strip me once, strip me twice, strip me once again, it's been a long, long time . . .
How To: Bleach off a finish; Strip with a heat gun; Remove finishes that require chemical strippers; Dry-scrape . . . if you have the strength!; Know when and how to sand off a finish!
chapter six: it's a thankless job, and your name is Somebody . . . intermediate prep work
How To: Sand stripped/bare wood; Bleach out stains; Create a smooth plane--preparatory detailing
chapter seven: building up to the grand finale
How To: Apply paste wood fillers, stains, sealers . . .
chapter eight: never use lard
How To: Oil your brightwork, for various reasons
chapter nine: the varnished truth
How To: Varnish, with as much unvarnished guidance as I can muster . . .
chapter ten: now, let's try to keep it that way, soldier!
How To: Set up and keep the maintenance schedule . . .
chapter eleven: cabin soles, decks, and spars--oh my!
Three special brightwork challenges
part 3: tools, materials, and resources
chapter twelve: you can never be too rich or have too many tools . . .
Rebecca's favorites and "must-haves," including what's been developed since 1990
chapter thirteen: it's a materials world . . .
Various products of the trade, . . . plus safety materials and some general finishing safety tips
chapter thirteen and one-half: extra! extra! read all about it!
Books, printed matter, and websites that help feed the brightwork junkie's habit . . .
Index

Biographical note

Rebecca Wittman cofounded a custom yacht refinishing company, The Teak Twins, in 1978. Since that time she has refinished countless boats in Seattle, Washington, and Marina del Rey, California, and has taught seminars on brightwork at Seattle's Center for Wooden Boats. Her 1990 book Brightwork: The Art of Finishing Wood is considered a classic in the field.

Back cover copy

"The things that are vital and honorable about varnishing are the parts that we do with our hearts, our hands, and that portion of our brain that houses common sense. These are what never change, the things that will prevail."--from the Introduction
From the author of the acclaimed Brightwork comes this equally elegant lifeline for the weekend warrior with a brush, a can of varnish, and two days to show results. The Brightwork Companion guides you through every step of refinishing your boat's wood trim with a stripped-to-the-essentials presentation designed for quick reference while the work is in progress.
This practical guide makes every brightwork project easier with:

Guidelines for evaluating the brightwork to be treated
Step-by-step procedures for bleaching, sanding, stripping, oiling, and varnishing
Refinishing instructions for spars, decks, trim, and interiors
Lists of must-have tools and products, as well as important safety information
Advice on how to stay the course during a project
Additional resources, including helpful websites
Beautiful color photographs
And more!

There is so much technical expertise in this book, in fact, that you'll wonder how Rebecca Wittman managed at the same time to load it with wit, opinion, encouragement, and insight. Elegant, useful, and fun--isn't that a winning combination for any how-to book?
Create stunning brightwork step by step with this go-anywhere guide
Rebecca Wittman has adapted her seminal 1990 book Brightwork to the needs of the weekend boat warrior. In stripped-down recipe form, here are the procedures and recommendations you need to make your boat's brightwork beautiful. This wonderful new book takes into account both the traditional methods that have stood the test of time and the latest tools and materials--such as user-friendly citric-based strippers--that ensure the best finish possible.
Praise for Brightwork:
A Cruising World Editor's Choice: "Brightwork provides all the information you need to avoid frustrations and costly mistakes and derive the greatest satisfaction from a process that can be its own reward."
"A first class and highly readable text that should be mandatory for anyone who owns or is contemplating owning a wood-trimmed vessel."--Sailing
"It's elegant--elegant as the work it describes so successfully, elegant in its writing, elegant in its photography, and elegant physically as a volume."--SAIL
"As well as being a comprehensive guide to wood finishing, this work celebrates the beauty of brightwork on boats."--WoodenBoat
"Wittman . . . make[s] you want to rush down to the dock with brush (or heat gun) in hand."--Yachting
"Everyone who does varnishing should have this book!"--Classic Boating