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As Project Manager of The Green Blue, Sarah Black was keen to use an environmentally friendly varnish when refurbishing her beloved Nicholson 32 this spring. After some research Sarah came across ‘Le Tonkinois’ varnish.
Le Tonkinois is an environmentally friendly natural oil based yacht varnish. It is made from natural renewable resources; linseed oil from plants, tung oil from the seed pods of the tropical Tung tree, pure resin, vegetable thinners and driers. It has no toxins and is safe to use in food areas and contains no volatile solvents.
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 this quality product.
B & D Murkin, the UK importers claim that Le Tonkinois offers:
A minimum of 5 coats is suggested. A one litre tin costs £18.
Sarah says, ‘I love this varnish, it is a pleasure to use. Ok, so the fact it is environmentally friendly is great but it is also a superb product. It works beautifully on bare wood but also matches well with old varnish. I had my doubts about applying 5 coats but it goes on so easily it really isn’t a hardship and the warm honey tones it brings out in the wood are just glorious.
Like Classic Boat, who scored Tonki as the number 2 varnish in their recent tests, I also now wax lyrical about Tonki to anyone I meet and have a few converts under my belt already! Apparently the French navy use it for everything, from wood to protecting steel.”
Rating: 9/10 because nothing is perfect and it does form a skin in the tin which can be annoying, decant into a flexible bottle to exclude air and just pour out what you need.
Name: Sarah Black
Occupation: Project Manager, The Green Blue
Reason for test: Environmentally concerned yachtswoman
Desired result: Effective, affordable with less impact on the environment.
Product: Le Tonkinois Wood Varnish
Description: A natural wood varnish
How to use: See the UK importers website for detailed instructions www.letonkinoisvarish.co.uk or www.tradboats.com
Manufacturer: Le Tonkinois
Where to buy: Order online at www.tradboats.com or www.letonkinois.co.uk. To avoid carriage costs go to www.letonkinois.co.uk and find out when B & B Murkin will next be exhibiting.
I used 5 coats of Tonki on sanded bare wood (cockpit coaming, the cockpit seats, coachroof grab rails and hatch surrounds). We also used it on the rubbing trip where it went on to both bare (lightly sanded) wood and onto old varnish.
