# How will I know

**URL:** <https://forum.clcboats.com/t/how-will-i-know/39614>\
**Category:** Builder's Forum\
**Created:** [May 11, 2012, 9:15am UTC](https://forum.clcboats.com/t/how-will-i-know/39614 "2012-05-11T09:15:51Z")\
**Posts on this page:** 6\
**Page:** 1

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**Author:** ![T\_Decker](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/87869e/32.png) [@T\_Decker](https://forum.clcboats.com/u/T_Decker)\
**Post date:** [May 11, 2012, 9:15am UTC](https://forum.clcboats.com/t/how-will-i-know/39614/1 "2012-05-11T09:15:51Z")

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I need to sand off the varnish on the hull of my boat but I am not sure how to tell when. Am down to the epoxy without going all the way to the glass fibers. Given that both the varnish and the epoxy are about the same color when do I know to stop sanding?? &nbsp;Help!

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**Author:** ![Jack\_Duffy](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/aeb1de/32.png) [@Jack\_Duffy](https://forum.clcboats.com/u/Jack_Duffy)\
**Post date:** [May 11, 2012, 10:25am UTC](https://forum.clcboats.com/t/how-will-i-know/39614/2 "2012-05-11T10:25:53Z")

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Is there a reason you want to sand ALL the varnish off?&nbsp; If you're just recoating, a good sanding to scuff up the original finish and even out nicks and dings should be goo enough.

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**Author:** ![T\_Decker](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/87869e/32.png) [@T\_Decker](https://forum.clcboats.com/u/T_Decker)\
**Post date:** [May 12, 2012, 6:52am UTC](https://forum.clcboats.com/t/how-will-i-know/39614/3 "2012-05-12T06:52:26Z")

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Yes I am planning to cover bottom in epoxy/graphite. So I need to get the varnish off. However given that the varnish and the epoxy are the same color I am unsure how I will know when I am down to the epoxy. I don't want to go all the way to the cloth&nbsp;

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**Author:** ![David\_Nolan](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/6f9a4e/32.png) [@David\_Nolan](https://forum.clcboats.com/u/David_Nolan)\
**Post date:** [May 12, 2012, 7:25am UTC](https://forum.clcboats.com/t/how-will-i-know/39614/4 "2012-05-12T07:25:25Z")

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The easy answers is you will know! My experience is that the varnish dust will look different, a little more yellow. I also found it felt different when I got through the varnish (epoxy is a lot harder) dont go craxy with grit I think I just used 220. Try a spot, you will see.

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Good choice on the new bottom!

&nbsp;

David

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**Author:** ![David\_Nolan](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/6f9a4e/32.png) [@David\_Nolan](https://forum.clcboats.com/u/David_Nolan)\
**Post date:** [May 12, 2012, 7:25am UTC](https://forum.clcboats.com/t/how-will-i-know/39614/5 "2012-05-12T07:25:42Z")

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The easy answers is you will know! My experience is that the varnish dust will look different, a little more yellow. I also found it felt different when I got through the varnish (epoxy is a lot harder) dont go craxy with grit I think I just used 220. Try a spot, you will see.

&nbsp;

Good choice on the new bottom!

&nbsp;

David

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**Author:** ![Steve\_Crawford](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/b4bc9f/32.png) [@Steve\_Crawford](https://forum.clcboats.com/u/Steve_Crawford)\
**Post date:** [May 13, 2012, 7:49am UTC](https://forum.clcboats.com/t/how-will-i-know/39614/6 "2012-05-13T07:49:54Z")

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Use a good paint stripper...it won't affect the epoxy when you finally get through the varnish ...