Treat the teak or leave it? Can't decide.

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Treat the teak or leave it? Can\'t decide.

Just scraped and sanded the teak rubbing strake back to a state of looking very good - having taken all the old flaking varnish off.

Debate now is whether to treat it and go through this all over again in a couple of years time or let it go naturally grey with the salt water, once it's launched.

Wot say you all?
 
Re: Treat the teak or leave it? Can\'t decide.

Leave it alone. A gentle rub over with some salt water twice a year should suffice hereafter.
 
Re: Treat the teak or leave it? Can\'t decide.

I would recommend you use Coelan.....for a spectacular finish that will last up to 10 years........and the best bit......you will never need to sand or scrape it again...because when it finally does need to come off, score it with a stanley knife....and then it pulls off in sheets leaving a very slightly raised grain....Just apply new primer and Coelan...and admire it for another 10 years.
ps. I don`t sell this stuff or have share in it.
pps...follow the instructions to the letter.
 
Re: Treat the teak or leave it? Can\'t decide.

If you leave it alone, the soft wood in the teak structure will weather away leaving that well known appearance old ,grey, rough,weathered teak..
I am not sure about Ceolan for walking areas. I use Sikken's Cetol which is an oil-varnish and it lasts really well. and is not slippy.
It's a a choice thing!!!
 
Re: Treat the teak or leave it? Can\'t decide.

I can't stand that old grey weathered look which suggest neglect.
Am a Sikkens Natural fan, also for every piece of woodwork on board.
It doesn't 'peel off in sheets' but it is easy to renew.
No contest IMHO.
 
Re: Treat the teak or leave it? Can\'t decide.

If you leave it alone it will look ok, as others have said.
However, I must agree with Saltwater, it will start to weather, particularly at the bow - where a small boat tends to cop it. I would follow his advice and use Cetol, excellent stuff. Available at Trago Mills, a 15 quid tin will last you for 15 years.
 
Re: Treat the teak or leave it? Can\'t decide.

I'm a Cetol fan as well. I hate the "natural" look as it not only goes grey, it goes green with algae and grows bunches of lichen. This happens on the rubbing strip of most of the boats in the marina which leave their teak untreated. And don't suggest that they are not washed with salt water twice a year. They must get that treatment twice a week!
 
Re: Treat the teak or leave it? Can\'t decide.

I detest the sight of greyed teak. To me there is nothing worse...... other than badly oiled teak !

Teak has advantage of saltwater doesn't attack it - but fresh-water does. So as a rubbing strake that will be more wet from rain in UK than seawater ? I base that on boats hours tied up vs sailing on it's ear and wetting out the rubbing strake. I prefer to give it a protective stain which soaks in - brings out the colour and richness of the wood.
Unlike varnish doesn't crack or degrade under UV .. light sand only and 1 light coat to touch up .....

Hand-rails as well - leaves them with good grip - which varnish doesn't as it's too glossy.

For decks a VERY light oiling and I mean light - done with a cloth ... otherwise slightest touch of warm sun and it's on shoes, feet and everywhere !

IMHO of course ... Grey Teak - UGH !!
 
Re: Treat the teak or leave it? Can\'t decide.

[ QUOTE ]
I would recommend you use Coelan.....for a spectacular finish that will last up to 10 years........and the best bit......you will never need to sand or scrape it again...because when it finally does need to come off, score it with a stanley knife....and then it pulls off in sheets leaving a very slightly raised grain....Just apply new primer and Coelan...and admire it for another 10 years.
ps. I don`t sell this stuff or have share in it.
pps...follow the instructions to the letter.

[/ QUOTE ]

I don't like the look of Coelan. It looks like the deck got a dose of jaundice!

Much better to leave bare and spray down with a moss and moul cleaner ONCE a year, whoch keeps it clean and grey. - and therefore no other maintenance
 
Re: Treat the teak or leave it? Can\'t decide.

[ QUOTE ]
I'm a Cetol fan as well. I hate the "natural" look as it not only goes grey, it goes green with algae and grows bunches of lichen. This happens on the rubbing strip of most of the boats in the marina which leave their teak untreated. And don't suggest that they are not washed with salt water twice a year. They must get that treatment twice a week!

[/ QUOTE ]

A once a year application of Moss and Mould Cleaner will get rid of the green and moss. Once done just repeat every year, and the teak really does stay clean. a really cheap and simple solution.
 
Re: Treat the teak or leave it? Can\'t decide.

we hate Cetol and the artificial look it gives. Took a lot of work to get rid of it, then we used Bristol Finish, a 2 pack similar to Coelans which we could not find in the US. With the Bristol Finish, it is only required to lightly sand back the top coat and then reapply. Fad these days seems to be to sand, light stain if required, and clear epoxy with UV protection. See Mas Epoxies
 
Re: Treat the teak or leave it? Can\'t decide.

[ QUOTE ]
...then we used Bristol Finish, a 2 pack similar to Coelans which we could not find in the US. With the Bristol Finish, it is only required to lightly sand back the top coat and then reapply.

[/ QUOTE ]
How did the Bristol Finish go ? It looks nice in the pics on their website. Does it cope with abrasion well (ie rubbing ropes etc.)?
 
Re: Treat the teak or leave it? Can\'t decide.

[ QUOTE ]
How did the Bristol Finish go ? It looks nice in the pics on their website. Does it cope with abrasion well (ie rubbing ropes etc.)?

[/ QUOTE ]

I came out pretty well and SWMBO likes using it, she is the varnish queen on our boat, thankfully.
 
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