Here are some photos that were submitted by Suzy Harrison of Seattle, WA. Suzy is a professional yacht finisher and is the proprietor of Yacht Zen - Fine Wood Finishing for Yachts.

Suzy recently used TufShield™ on a 1988 50' Bertram at the request of the boat owner who wanted the deck finished with Top Coat Gloss.

To the right is a shot of the unfinished deck before it had been completed.

Suzy wanted to be sure that using a gloss finish wouldn't make the deck too slick especially when wet so she had tested the products out on other wood and had left them in the rain to see how the TufShield™-finished wood performed when wet. Both she and the boat owner were happy with the result and so TufShield™ was chosen as the finish and Top Coat Gloss was used as the top coat.

Below, you'll see a shot of the TufShield™-finished Aft Deck and the Aft Deck Step. When describing the finished work, Suzy said:

"The owner is really happy and so am I."

Suzy also commented on the slip factor on the deck. Initially Suzy was concerned that using TufShield™ Top Coat Gloss might result in a slippery deck surface but here are her comments after the deck had been finished:

"By the way we have all agreed that the slip factor is great. I've even run across the aft deck and tried to skid and it just doesn't happen. I've also worked on the swim platform while it had water on it and traction was great."

Suzy plans to use TufShield™ for much more of her future boat work and we'll profile future jobs on this website to illustrate the results.

TufShield™-finished Aft Deck

TufShield™-finished Aft Deck Step

Here is a shot of the TufShield™-finished bowsprit

If you're in the Seattle area and are interested to have some TufShield™ work done, Suzy might be able to help you out. Here are her contact details:

Yacht Zen - Fine Wood Finishing for Yachts
Location: Seattle, WA
Contact: Suzy Harrison
Phone: 206-271-0102
Email: suzy.yachtzen@gmail.com

Labels: aft, bertram, deck, gloss, step

TufShield™ products were recently tested by an independent third party lab with wood samples that were also prepared by an independent third party. Detroit Testing Laboratories completed the testing using mahogany and teak wood samples that were prepared by Specialty Cabinets Inc also of Detroit, MI.

Specifically, the wood samples were subjected to Salt Spray, Q.U.V., Ozone, Thermoshock and Gloss Retention testing and following these tests, the wood samples were then subjected to Peel Testing to test the adhesion strength of the coating. The Salt Spray, Q.U.V., Ozone and Thermoshock tests are accelerated ones that roughly mimic 5 years of real time.

Wood Preparation

The mahogany and teak wood samples were each cut to a size of 2” X 2” X 3/8”. The bare wood samples were sanded with 220 Norton abrasive sheets and were then wiped with TS Reducer to clean them off. The samples were each coated with 4 coats of #1 Base Coat followed by 2 coats of #2 Top Coat Gloss. Top Coat Gloss was chosen as the top coat (as opposed to using TufShield™ #2 Top Coat Satin) so that we could test gloss retention following each test.

To the right, is a picture of a wood sample inside the Q.U.V machine during testing.

As per label instructions for bare wood, the first coat of #1 Base Coat was thinned with TS Reducer at a ratio of 2:1 and the subsequent 3 coats of #1 Base Coat were thinned 4:1.

After the #1 Base Coat was dry, the pieces were sanded, wiped with TS Reducer and recoated with 2 coats of #2 Top Coat Gloss. The first Top Coat was allowed to dry completely, was touch-sanded, wiped with TS Reducer and the final coat of #2 Top Coat Gloss was then applied.

Part of the test plan involved Peel Testing to test the adhesion of TufShield™ on the samples following testing. Peel Testing involves placing a small piece of 3M 898 adhesion tape over the edge of each sample and then applying the standard TufShield™ application of 4 coats of Base Coat and 2 coats of Top Coat Gloss over top. The samples that had the tape applied for the peel test were coated all at once and the loose pieces were done on alternating sides.

Essentially, all other tests were completed (ie. Salt Spray, Q.U.V., Ozone, Thermoshock) and then the peel testing was conducted on each piece of tested wood. Also, untested wood samples that had been coated with TufShield™ were also peel tested.

Finally, since each wood sample was coated with Top Coat Gloss, Gloss Retention Testing was conducted to measure gloss retained on each piece of wood after the part had been subjected to Salt Spray, Q.U.V., Ozone or Thermoshock testing.

The finished sample parts sat for about 5 days before they were received by Detroit Testing Labs for the actual testing.

Above is a picture of the wood samples inside the Q.U.V. chamber for U.V. testing. You can see small strips of tape at the top of some wood samples. These pieces of tape will be used for the peel testing.

Testing Goals

The Salt Spray, Q.U.V., Ozone and Thermoshock tests roughly correlate to 5 years of real life exposure. Below, you’ll see the tests that were conducted on the finished wood samples, the ASTM standard that was followed for each test where applicable, and the result of the test. Prior to testing, the samples were conditioned at 23±2°C and 50±5% relative humidity, as applicable.

Test Results

Salt Spray Testing per ASTM B117-07

Salt Spray Testing set up
Purpose: The Salt Spray test is an accelerated standardized test utilizing a closed chamber that involves spraying a salt solution on the TufShield™-coated wood samples to test the suitability of the finish when exposed to salt spray.

Exposure: Eight (8) specimens (4 Teak and 4 Mahogany) for 500 hours of exposure

Results: No visual evidence of change after exposure.

BEFORE TESTING PHOTOS OF SALT SPRAY SAMPLES
Teak samples are on the left, mahogany samples are on the right

AFTER TESTING PHOTOS OF SALT SPRAY SAMPLES
Teak samples are on the left, mahogany samples are on the right

The lighting is a bit different for the two photos but the After Testing samples show no real evidence of damage after 500 hours of exposure. Click on both photos to blow them up to see greater detail.

Q.U.V. Testing per ASTM G154-06

Q.U.V. samples in the Q.U.V. machine
Purpose: An accelerated test that subjects the TufShield™-coated wood samples to a combination of UV light, varying temperatures, and condensation inside a closed chamber.

Exposure: Twelve (12) specimens (6 Teak and 6 Mahogany) for 500 hours of exposure.

Exposure Cycle: 8 hours of U.V.A. at 70°C followed by 4 hours of condensation at 50°C

Results: All (12) specimens showed a moderate amount of darkening.
Above, you'll see the After Testing shot of a mahogany piece of wood on the left and an untested piece of mahogany on the right. Other than darkening of the post-test piece, there is no noticeable damage or deterioration. Given the nature of the test, the darkening of the wood is not unexpected but you'll notice that none of the samples failed ie. there is no evidence of chipping, cracking, checking, peeling, etc.

Click on the picture to blow it up to view it in greater detail.

Above, you'll see the After Testing shot of a teak piece of wood on the left and an untested piece of teak on the right. Other than darkening of the post-test piece, there is no noticeable damage or deterioration. Click on the picture to blow it up to view it in greater detail.

Ozone Testing per ASTM D1171-99

Purpose: An accelerated test that subjects the TufShield™-coated wood samples to the affects of ozone exposure inside a closed chamber.

Exposure: Ten (10) specimens (5 Teak and 5 Mahogany) for 70 hours at 50pphm
ozone/40°C.

Test Note: Deviation of Procedure: Specimens were not elongated due to their
rigid nature.

Results: All (10) specimens showed no visual evidence of change after
exposure.

BEFORE TESTING PHOTOS OF OZONE SAMPLES
Teak samples are on the left, Mahogany samples are on the right

AFTER TESTING PHOTOS OF OZONE SAMPLES
Teak samples are on the left, Mahogany samples are on the right

No visible changes in the samples were noted.

Thermoshock Testing

Wood samples in the Thermoshock chamber

Purpose: An accelerated test that subjects the TufShield™-coated wood samples to the affects of alternating hot and ambient temperature exposure inside a closed chamber.

Exposure: Twelve (12) specimens (6 Teak and 6 Mahogany) for 80 cycles,
one (1) cycle consisting of the following exposures:

- 1hour at -40°C
- 1hour at 110°C
- Ramp time of <60 seconds
- Repeat for a total of 80 cycles

Results: All (12) specimens showed a moderate amount of darkening after
exposure.

BEFORE AND AFTER TESTING PHOTOS OF MAHOGANY THERMOSHOCK SAMPLES


BEFORE AND AFTER TESTING PHOTOS OF TEAK THERMOSHOCK SAMPLES
Other than sample darkening, there was no visible sign of deterioration. Given the nature of the test and the extremely high temperature that the samples were exposed to (cycling between -40°C and 110°C for 1 hour at a time), the darkening of the wood is not unexpected as the finish was basically cooked into the wood during the high temperature cycles but you'll notice that none of the samples experienced chipping, cracking, checking, peeling, etc.

Peel Testing

Test Speed: 50 mm/min. Peel as received and after each test exposure: Salt Spray, Q.U.V., Ozone, Thermoshock.

Purpose: All TufShield™-coated wood samples that had been tested in the Salt Spray, Q.U.V., Ozone and Thermoshock tests as well as brand new untested samples of TufShield™-coated wood (referred to below as “As Received”) were then peel tested to gauge the strength of the adhesiveness of the TufShield™ finish. This test involves placing a small piece of 3M 898 adhesion tape over the edge of the sample, coating the sample with TufShield™ over top of the tape and allowing the sample to dry. The tape is then mechanically peeled from the wood sample using a mechanical arm at an angle of 90 degrees. The stronger the Peel Strength (see table below) the stronger the adhesiveness of the TufShield™ finish.

MAHOGANY
As Received* 3.71 lbf/in
Salt Spray 3.35 lbf/in
Q.U.V. 5.59 lbf/in
Ozone 3.61 lbf/in
Thermoshock 5.67 lbf/in

TEAK
As Received* 3.22 lbf/in
Salt Spray 3.46 lbf/in
Q.U.V. 2.81 lbf/in
Ozone 3.13 lbf/in
Thermoshock 2.5 lbf/in

*As Received refers to TufShield™-finished wood samples that were not subjected to Salt Spray, Q.U.V., Ozone or Thermoshock testing.

Gloss Testing

Purpose: After the Salt Spray, Q.U.V, Ozone and Thermoshock tests were completed, the TufShield™-coated wood samples were measured to gauge the gloss retained on each sample piece. High gloss retention is a desirable trait given the various degrading conditions that wood can be exposed to ie. UV light exposure. Each wood sample was pre and post tested for each exposure (Salt Spray, Q.U.V., Ozone, Thermoshock) to compare before and after gloss readings. Gloss was read at 60°.

MAHOGANY
Salt Spray: 99% gloss retention
Q.U.V.: 99.3% gloss retention
Ozone: 100.3% gloss retention
Thermoshock: 100.7% gloss retention

TEAK
Salt Spray: 99.0% gloss retention
Q.U.V.: 101.4% gloss retention
Ozone: 97.2% gloss retention
Thermoshock: 100.6% gloss retention

Full test results in table format are available by visiting the test results page on this website.

Labels: lab, test, test results, testing, TufShield testing