Le Tonkinois frequently asked questions

Le Tonkinois frequently asked questions.

What is it and how is it better than my normal brand?

Le Tonkinois, [pronounced Lee-TON-kin-wah] is an environmentally friendly natural oil based

yacht varnish that actually does what the other brands claim to do.

Is it any good for boats?

Far better than most yacht varnish, on boats in fresh water sea or sludge, LeTonkinois is an old traditional yacht varnish, used long before they invented the stuff that falls off. It is also good for underwater protection, but cannot match anti-fouling paints for long term immersion. We show it at Southampton and major national boat shows as well as at boat jumbles throughout the country.

Is it suitable for outdoor and interior woodwork or is it only for boats?

It certainly is, probably better than anything you have ever bought before.

Is it suitable for kitchens?

It is ideal for use in kitchens, fully waterproof, not marked by hot cups or plates, not affected by boiling water, alcohol etc, and is classified as safe to use in food areas.

Can it be used over an existing finish?

Depending upon their condition most coatings except for wax can be over-coated by Le Tonkinois. If it is not in good condition it will need to be completely removed. If only a part is removed a colour variation may be visible.

What about Ultra Violet?

Le Tonkinois is highly resistant to Ultra Violet. Its natural materials protect both the varnish and the wood below. We have no reported UK problems in our 10 years experience with Le Tonkinois. One sample exposed untouched for 10 years has shown increasing yellowing but where we added an extra coat every 3 years no deterioration is visible. In much higher UV exposure areas (Mediterranean, Caribbean etc) the surface layer sometimes shows signs of deterioration after two to three years. Sanding off this top layer and adding further coat(s) restores the protection.

I don't like high gloss surfaces, do you do it in matt?

Le Tonkinois is naturally glossy, each successive coat increases the depth and brilliance of the gloss.

For a matt or satin finish add Gelomat just to the final coat. Add 1 part Gelomat to 2 parts varnish for full matt, 1 part to 3 parts varnish for satin, or alter the proportions to give the finish you prefer.

Can wood be stained?

If the wood needs staining we recommend using water based stain before applying Le Tonkinois.

Solvent based stains can be varnished over without problems but the stain seals the wood pores, restricting penetration by the varnish first coat. Pigments can also be mixed with the varnish.

Does bare wood need priming with a thinned coat?

No, use Le Tonkinois as it comes. It penetrates deeply and does not need thinning.

What about using it on oily woods like Teak?

Ideal for teak, mahogany, oak etc. Modern varnishes do not adhere to woods which contain a lot of natural oils and flake off very quickly. Le Tonkinois bonds well to these woods including Teak, Iroko, Pitch pine and similar if the surface is "degreased" first to allow the necessary penetration of the first coat.

It also copes brilliantly with Oak, which is notorious for its own special problems.

How is the best way to prepare timber before applying Le Tonkinois?

In our experience, the best tool to use is the Flexidisc sander. This will transform rough sawn timber into a fantastically smooth surface in seconds.

Remember the smoother the surface Le Tonkinois is applied to, the better the finish.

What about impact damage?

It has a tough durable coat which withstands abrasion and impacts. It doesn't peel or crack.

Areas subject to severe abrasive pressure are easily repaired without affecting surrounding areas.

How long does it last?

Le Tonkinois provides long lasting protection. It does not need regular stripping and re-varnishing, simply add another coat every few years to extend the life.

Does it allow wood to breathe?

Wood expands and contracts through temperature and atmospheric changes, a process timber experts refer to as breathing. The flexibility of Le Tonkinois allows for this where others fail.

Is it micro porous?

Most modern varnish coats contain minute tunnels or pores left by evaporating solvents. Some manufacturers claim this porosity allows extrusion of natural fluids, note however this is not a one way process, it will also allow intrusion of water and contaminants. In truth it allows continuation of the natural process of rotting and discolouration. An article in the Telegraph about micro porous paints questions manufacturers claims, when you apply more coats the holes are unlikely to align with holes in the coat below so stopping the micro porosity. Le Tonkinois is not micro porous, it is fully waterproof.

Do you need a high quality brush to get the finish on your examples?

Because the brush marks disappear as Le Tonkinois dries brush quality is less important.

However we find that foam brushes give a superior finish.

I have used Danish oil. How does Le Tonkinois compare and can it be used on previously oiled wood?

Danish oil provides inferior protection and needs regular repeat applications. It gives a satin finish, Le Tonkinois can be gloss satin or matt. Danish oil has warnings about spontaneous combustion of application rags.

Le Tonkinois can be applied to oiled wood, follow the instructions for removing the excess oil before applying.

I suffer from asthma, is it petroleum based?

No. Le Tonkinois is made from natural renewable resources, - Linseed oil from a plant, Tung oil from the seed pods of the tropical Tung tree, pure resin, and vegetable thinners and driers. It has no toxins and is safe to use in food areas. Contains no volatile solvents and does not cause irritation to throat, chest or pets.

What is a Tung tree?

See our information page

Is it just for wood? Can it be used for metal?

It gives excellent corrosion protection to metals. It is also suitable over most materials such as fibre glass, epoxy etc provided the surface is lightly sanded to give a key.

Surely a fast drying varnish would be easier to use?

Quite the reverse, the main difficulty in getting a good finish is keeping a wet edge so the brush strokes blend together seamlessly. Brushing on some modern varnishes is a race against time, if the edge is even slightly starting to dry it will flow less giving a poor quality finish. By the time you notice the area that you did not put on enough varnish it is usually too late. Le Tonkinois allows plenty of working time.

Is the surface slippery?

On boats the varnish provides good grip for deck shoes, even when the surface is wet.

My original brand of yacht varnish does not last as long as it used to, will yours be better?

Solvent in modern varnish evaporates harming the environment and manufacturers are under heavy pressure to reduce the amount. New regulations which come into force in 2007 / 2010 limit the maximum solvent content to 500gm/L, roughly half the total contents. The regulations also put restrictions on the quantity of solvent emissions allowed for large users. These changes have reduced the effectiveness of their varnish, to the extent that one well known brand of yacht varnish even says it is not suitable for marine use! (See photo)

Le Tonkinois natural oil varnish does not contain these solvents so remains unchanged and is definitely ideal for marine and outdoor use.

How long will it last on my floor?

All varnish on floors needs replacing regularly. The frequency of replacement will depend upon wear and how noticeable it is so we cannot give a figure. Local wear is easily repaired. With Le Tonkinois you do not have to sand back to bare wood each time, just sand down below the surface damage and recoat.

What about varnishing in cold weather / winter?

Le Tonkinois will be thicker and flow less in cold weather, heating to about 70 degrees by placing the can in a bowl of hot water will aid application.

It hardens by a chemical reaction with oxygen in the air. The speed of the reaction reduces as the temperature drops so in winter it can take a very long time to harden.

Which do you recommend Classic or Vernis No1?

No1 is a more highly refined version of Classic. Both can be used on top of each other without problems.

Initially we planned to stock both versions. but users who tried both versions preferred Vernis No 1.

Thus we will stock only Vernis No 1 after existing stocks of classic are used up.

Why haven't I seen it before if it is so good?

Traditional varnishes like Le Tonkinois use natural ingredients and the quantity is limited.

Le Tonkinois is made by a small French firm who, as far as we know, is the only varnish manufacturer remaining with the highly skilled and experienced craftsman needed to produce these quality products. Mass production is not possible.

Can I buy it locally?

We demonstrate and sell the products at a broad range of show venues across the country

as well as by post.