Spring In The Air And Le Tonkinois On The Brush.

With temperatures climbing above 10°C, it is time to get out the varnish brush, and make your pride and joy gleam. But the question is, what to use amongst all the options and modern synthetic paints. Sometimes the old recipes are the best, and Mark Rolt of Bristol Classic Boat Yard knows a classic varnish for modern times: Le Tonkinois.

“Quite simply the best varnish we have used. It lays off beautifully and you can back out without tearing, and it settles really nicely. It’s a lovely gloss, and organic too.

“We use it on all spars and all bright work, inside and out – anywhere that needs varnish. It’s just wonderful. I can’t say enough about it,” says Mark.

Le Tonkinois is a natural oil-based varnish, using a Chinese formula dating back two or three centuries. It brings out the natural beauty of the timber, doesn’t crack or flake off, and is permanent.

The big bonus is: don’t worry about brush marks, they will all disappear.

Le Tonkinois contains only natural vegetable ingredients: linseed oil; tung oil from the seed pods of the tropical tung tree; pure resin; and vegetable thinners. It is air-drying and achieves brilliant penetration, giving a tough, flexible, glossy coat. The oils reveal all the vibrant natural detail of the timber. It is totally environmentally friendly product with no toxins.

Le Tonkinois varnish can be purchased online through Traditional Boat Supplies traditionalboatsupplies.com/paint or telephone 0117 330 5950.

From TBS