Painting teak/mahogany

[Clint]

I know the purists amongst you are going to make me walk the plank, and hang me from a yardarm. My little Winklebrigs bulwarks have seen better days, and the old paint is peeling badly, l want to repaint them. What is the best way to prime them before painting?

Clint

 

[Tranona]

Take them back to bare wood, degrease with acetone. particularly if teak , prime, undercoat and top coat. Best to use one manufacturer's system, so for International it is metallic pink primer, undercoat and Toplac top coat. Alternatively if wood comes up clean consider using Woodskin a lightly tinted porous woodstain with a semi gloss finish.

 

[Clint]

Thank you for the advice.

 

[Scarboroughsloop]

May I suggest that you paint over varnish. That way if you (or a subsequent owner) want to go back to wood you don't have paint stuck in the grain.

 

[TimBennet]

May I suggest that you paint over varnish. That way if you (or a subsequent owner) want to go back to wood you don't have paint stuck in the grain.

Yes please do that. Or use International clear primer if you think the wood is 'stable enough' for a two part product.

 

[Clint]

Does teak/mahogony take well to varnishing? Would Toplac take well to varnish, Toplac has the exact colour that l want?

 

[Tranona]

Does teak/mahogony take well to varnishing? Would Toplac take well to varnish, Toplac has the exact colour that l want?

Teak and mahogany are two very different woods. Teak tends to be naturally oily so needs more careful preparation for painting or varnishing. Mahogany is usually very stable and takes most finishes well. Whatever you use preparation is the key, and if using Toplac follow the primer/undercoat/top coat instructions. As suggested by others using a clear primer or conventional varnish as the first coat makes it easier to get the wood back to a state where it can be bright finished. However, if you want a durable, easy to apply and maintain bright finish then Woodskin is the way to go.

 

[wazza]

Take it back to the bare wood then coat them with Coelan, a 1 part polyurethane varnish. I've done my coachroof, toe rail & my cockpit combing & seating, all of are teak. They look brand new, but they're 33 years old.
A lot of prep work, but fantastic results...
I live in Sweden & have no connection to the company apart from being a very satisfied customer.!