Alternative to Varnish ?

[Badger]

Can anyone recommend a woodstain or other product that could be considered an alternative to varnish for a teak toe rail and teak grab rails on the coachroof ? I want to try and keep a semi-gloss type appearance. Thanks in Advance.

 

[Bodach na mara]

Cetol. Marketed by AKZO, this product seems to have replaced Masterstroke varnish, which was great stuff. Not "October gloss" material but reasonable appearance, long-lasting, resistant to peeling and lifting and easily recoated.

 

[PCUK]

Burgess Woodsealer is a wipe on product and with several coats gives a nice semi-gloss.

 

[raquet]

I'd second Cetol. I don't like the colour of the teak product but the ordinary isn't too bad. It is easy to apply and easy to fix worn patches.

 

[ggt9]

I'd second Sikkens Cetol Marine... transformed all my woodwork from utterly abandoned and neglected to something quite smart even when wielded by lazy and inexperienced boat doer-upper. Not the same as varnish but perfectly functional.

I did try suggesting it to someone who is being paid to revarnish someone's yacht. He held up a piece of cockpit barely two foot square in which I could see five miles of scenery beautifully reflected and said it had taken weeks just to do that. I said look at my boat; just sanded it and brushed Cetol on and he sniffed:

"Well I suppose that would be all right for that thing." /forums/images/graemlins/tongue.gif

 

[doug748]

I like the Sikkins product as well. As it is meant to be water vapour permeable, you are told to only give it two coats. I did this on my hand rails, in March, and sat back to see how it got on. The slight gloss soon left it but the colour is still attractive. It is wearing now and the teak is showing through in small areas, however there is none of the black staining associated with the breaking down of conventional varnish, and it is not lifting. I guess it would be fairly easy to sand and recoat, but I am going to leave it and see what happens next. I will certainly use it again next season but I may be tempted to try three coats.

 

[donm]

I can also back up Sikkens Cetol Marine. Used it this year on teak locker tops and handrail and toerail capping. Easy to use and looks good so far. Finish is semi matt.

I first used Sikkens products on my house windows, fascias and bargeboards when I built it 24 years ago. Been refreshed twice only since then and we face South to the Bristol Channel about 1000 yards from the sea, so pretty testing environment for any protective system!

 

[donm]

I was doubtful about the cover from two coats so I did three coats and no sign of wear yet.

 

[Liz_I]

How about, at a cost, Deks Olje! Keep applying until the wood will not absorb any more - wipe off the excess & hey presto!. Beautiful fiinish, easily repaired if necessary, lasts extremely well.

 

[pampas]

Did mine this year as Im finding it hard work to strip each year. On the teak rubbing strake and all Mahogany I stripped to bare, then 2 coats of Sadalin antque pine followed by 2 coats of their clear Gold, came up lovely and to date has held its gloss and seems to take the wear and tear of the usual knocks one gets. Found that B&Q the cheapest /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif

 

[Amari]

Why use anything? Our teak cockpit seat and floor slats and grab rails are untreated. I was advised to wash down with sea not fresh water so to get better bleached appearance. Looks good to my eye

 

[angelsson]

Another Sikkens fan, my teak toerails look great, they extend with outside facing about 6 inches, stripped all old peeling varnish, (not 2 tears old), and gave them 4 coats, easy to apply. Between coats I used a kitchen pan srcubber just to lightly smooth the previous coat, worked well for me, and once the old is off found it easy and quick to apply.

 

[SimonD]

That's it! Couldn't think of the name or I would have dived in earlier. I've tried nothing, teak oil, Burgess woodsealer (horrible!) and Cetol. But in terms of ease of application, longevity and good looks, Deks Olje beats the lot (IMHO). Mind you, it is quite pricey.

Simon

 

[Chris_Robb]

Try the Sikkens Cetol "novatech" much moire varnish like that the ordinary cetol

Try this link. or contact the manufacturers who will send you free some small test pots.

http://www.decoratingdirect.co.uk/viewprod/s/SIKNTEC/

I experimented on the garden teak furniture first. - Get the lightest coluor - which is beach. 2 coats lasted 6 years - outside all the time.

I thionk this product was a leter one than the standard Cetol, and is more varnish like. However nothing beats pure varnish for looks - provided you have the patience of a saint and loads of spare time.

 

[gandy]

[ QUOTE ]
That's it! Couldn't think of the name or I would have dived in earlier. I've tried nothing, teak oil, Burgess woodsealer (horrible!) and Cetol. But in terms of ease of application, longevity and good looks, Deks Olje beats the lot (IMHO). Mind you, it is quite pricey.

Simon

[/ QUOTE ]Hi, we were looking at Deks Olje as well. Have you tried just using the D1 oil, without adding the D2 as an additional coat?

 

[SimonD]

I did use just the D1 oil. It gives a pleasant satin finish and I saw no need to use the D2 as well.