Beyond UV: Quantum UV Varnish is the Total Marine Defense

Understanding What's under the Hood of Marine Wood 

Marine environments present unique challenges for wood finishes. Quantum set out to formulate the longest-lasting varnish for marine use on teak, mahogany, spruce, and other common marine timber. Each of these wood types have unique properties. For example, teak, has a high content of oil, which helps to prevent deterioration on boat applications. However, this oil also contributes to detachments of many varnishes. Mahogany, on the other other hand, has wood fiber that absorbs varnishes and therefore takes more coats to seal the wood fibers to achieve a smooth finish. 

Marine Varnishes Challenges in the Water

An additional challenge for marine varnishes is the constant movement of the hull. It is typical for hulls to flex as the boat moves through the water, which can contribute to varnish detachment or cracking. The harsh UV rays break down the structure and integrity of the varnish, which will shorten the life of the coating. The final major factor that affects the life of a marine varnish is the all-important attention to detail at the time of application. The wood surface and all subsequent coats of varnish should be properly prepared to maximize varnish adhesion. 

The Cost of Inferior Marine Varnishes

All of these factors have an impact on the longevity of the varnish coating. The consequences of using an inferior varnishes are less wood protection and unsightly surfaces, leading to the extra labor and cost-involved in reapplications. Conversely, the longer the service life of the varnish, the less frequently the boat owner will need to re-apply the varnish, thereby reducing the cost and effort of maintaining a personal boat in tip top condition.  Investing in a high quality marine varnish saves time and money in the long run.

QuantumUV: A Marine Varnish Engineered for Superior Marine Performance

To give the best value to customers Quantum has formulated a long-lasting, abrasion resistant and flexible varnish, QuantumUV Urethane Varnish. What makes QuantumUV varnish stand out? First the "backbone" of the QuantumUV varnish is the same polyurethane coating as the Quantum99 Topcoat. The Quantum UV varnish is based on the same resin structure that meets the high standard of the latest BMS 10-125 aerospace regulation. Quantum uses hybrid polymers that combine the best attributes of polyester polyurethane with the best attributes of acrylic polyurethanes. 

This makes QuantumUV abrasion resistant due to the toughness of the polyurethane, while also maintaining flexibility with the acrylic to move with the boat as it glides through the water.  The flexibility also allows the coating to stretch and breathe along with the wood as the temperature changes from hot to cold. With our patented flow package based around this acrylic makes the product easy to apply by brush or by spray.  This patented flow package makes Quantum UV a great choice for both professional and amateur painters. 

The Science Behind QuantumUV's Unmatched UV Protection

Further to block the damaging UV rays of the sun Quantum UV  Urethane Varnish uses a unique Ultra Violet ackage consisting of three layers of protection for superior weather resistance. Here is how it works to protect the varnish film from the UV rays of the sun:

          1) The varnish uses Ultra Violet Absorbers (UVA's) filter out harmful UV radiation, which prevents the degradation of both coatings and substrates. The UVA's do this by converting the energy absorbed by light into heat. These components act like a sunscreen to your wood preventing damaging UV rays from reaching its surface.

          2) The second layer of protection comes from HALS( Hindered Amine Light Stabilizers). They act as radical scavengers and inhibit the photo-oxidative degradation of the coating and the ligands found in wood. HALS protect against surface defects such as loss of gloss, cracking, and prevents chalking.

          3) The third critical component of the QuantumUV varnish is the addition of an antioxidant. This dissipates heat from the sun with the varnish, which prevents the heat form attacking the varnish film, causing it to deteriorate prematurely. The antioxidants work hand in hand with the UVA's in this way to stop the degradation of the coating.