Teak capping rail - to treat or not

[dansaskip]

I would like to ask the combined wisdom and experience of forum members.

I have a teak capping rail on my toe-rail. It is bare wood untreated and has always been thus. The question is it’s showing some signs of ageing and aesthetics aside would it best to treat it and with what or just leave it bare?

You might say why give oneself yet another maintenance job on the boat, but some would be preferable to have to replace the rail at some (we hope distant) time in the future.
And please don’t suggest varnish - I know it looks great but I have seen owners spend hours keeping on top of varnishing .
Thanks

 

[Stemar]

I had "teak" grabrails on Jissel. I used a teak garden furniture product from a DIY store, but can't remember which one

If you like the varnished look, but don't like the work when the varnish fails and lets water underneath, you could try le Tonkinois, which gives a high gloss (can be reduced with a matting agent), but doesn't crack, so doesn't have to be sanded back to bare wood. Just a quick rub down and slap on a few more coats.

 

[coopec]

I had "teak" grabrails on Jissel. I used a teak garden furniture product from a DIY store, but can't remember which one

If you like the varnished look, but don't like the work when the varnish fails and lets water underneath, you could try le Tonkinois, which gives a high gloss (can be reduced with a matting agent), but doesn't crack, so doesn't have to be sanded back to bare wood. Just a quick rub down and slap on a few more coats.

Maybe "Boracol/Patio Magic "?

Boracol/Patio Magic - Google Search

 

[johnalison]

The varnished look is fine, especially when other items are the same, such as grab handles. We went for the bare look instead, just treating with Patio Magic, along with the decks and cockpit. I think that protection preserves the wood better, though mine is still pretty good after twenty + years. This would be more important for slimline capping such as on Contessa 32s.

 

[Tranona]

You can keep it clean by using Patio Magic or Boracol, or you can coat it in Semco which looks rather artificial. However this will not prevent aging which, depending on the quality of teak will eventually result in loss of fibres as you will see on many older boats with untreated teak toerails. Forget about conventional varnish and use International Woodskin. Clean the teak right back to its original golden colour, degrease and apply 3 coats. Then forget about it for a few years except maybe some touching up if it gets abraded by ropes etc.

All the rubrail and toe rails are teak coated with Woodskin, now about 3 years old

 

[PlankWalker]

I used to varnish, it was a nightmare to keep up.
Now I use Patio magic, it goes grey but I rather like that, shows its real Burma Teak.

 

[superheat6k]

My choice would be Wessex two pack cleaner followed by Semco Clear, with a repeat of the Semco every 6 months, and a repeat of the Wessex every 2-3 seasons. Scrub lightly with the Wessex red diluted 5:1 with water across the grain with a soft bristled brush - the muck that lifts out is amazing. The green also diluted 5:1 neutralises the red and restores the beautiful golden colour. The Semco locks this in.

To avoid frost damage to your valuable teak make sure you apply Semco come what may each Autumn. My personal choice would be to avoid the coloured Semco options especially Natural. Make sure you use Clear.

 

[Buck Turgidson]

Depends on how much you like/despise varnishing! Mine were mud brown with some unknown wood treatment when I bought her. I eventually scraped back and put 6 coats of varnish and now top up with a couple every year but it can be a bit of a task. I much prefer varnish to the dull brown I had or the silver of untreated teak.