varnish for grab rails

[ctroutz]

Hi, last year I thought I'd try 2 pack varnish on my Teak/Mahog grab rails etc. Only gave it 2 coats so loads of bare patches to scrape back to proper wood colour. Will ordinary varnish 'take' over the remaining varnished areas after sanding, or should I go for 2 pack again? Many thanks.

 

[Sandyman]

AS they often say on tins of paint & varnish, try a test patch first.

 

[theoldsalt]

I prefer to use Danish Oil. In my experience varnish will crack and peel on wooden grab rails and need frequent remedial work. With oil just apply and forget. When necessary reapply without the need for extensive prep work.

 

[Tranona]

Take it back to bare wood and use International Woodskin. Much better for ease of application, maintenance and durability than conventional varnish - either single or two pack.

 

[Poignard]

The most durable stuff I have used on my mahogany grabrails is Epifanes Rapidcoat

 

[skip50]

Take it back to bare wood and use International Woodskin. Much better for ease of application, maintenance and durability than conventional varnish - either single or two pack.

+1, although only did mine in April so very early days.

 

[pmagowan]

Hi, last year I thought I'd try 2 pack varnish on my Teak/Mahog grab rails etc. Only gave it 2 coats so loads of bare patches to scrape back to proper wood colour. Will ordinary varnish 'take' over the remaining varnished areas after sanding, or should I go for 2 pack again? Many thanks.

What did the manufacturer recommend?

 

[JumbleDuck]

Take it back to bare wood and use International Woodskin. Much better for ease of application, maintenance and durability than conventional varnish - either single or two pack.

And if the grab rails are teak and the Woodskin goes as foul and manky as mine did after one year, it'll only take a day or so to get the remains off with stripper, scraper and sandpaper.

 

[PaulRainbow]

Did the exterior Teak on my last boat with Sikkens Filter 7, in teak. Looked good when i sold her over a year later, but was just a little shinier than i would have liked. This year, different boat, i'm going to try teak Sikkens Cetol HLS.

 

[ctroutz]

Thanks all, If the weather stays kind I'll nip down today and cast some fresh eyes on it. Cheers.

 

[Arcady]

I'm surprised at the bad experience some people report with Woodskin. We've used it on exactly this scenario i.e. teak handrails, taken back to bare wood. Four years on it still looks good and the touch up maintenance is definitely easier. However - two caveats: I think it is softer than varnish and perhaps more easily damaged, and we put more coats on than the minimum (2 or 3?) recommended. There is a very light orange stain that can become noticeable with multiple coats.
No doubt this has all been reported elsewhere on the Woodskin v Varnish debates. It gets almost as heated as your average anchor thread!

 

[Minchsailor]

Did the exterior Teak on my last boat with Sikkens Filter 7, in teak. Looked good when i sold her over a year later, but was just a little shinier than i would have liked. This year, different boat, i'm going to try teak Sikkens Cetol HLS.

They are different things. HLS is a wood preservative, Filter 7 is a UV 'resistant' top coat. Ideally, you should use Filter 7 on top of HLS, HLS is not UV resistant.

 

[PaulRainbow]

They are different things. HLS is a wood preservative, Filter 7 is a UV 'resistant' top coat. Ideally, you should use Filter 7 on top of HLS, HLS is not UV resistant.

Thanks, but i did know that. You can use HLS without filter 7 though. Filter 7 worked well, but was a bit too shiny. I'm interested to see how well HLS will last on it's own.

 

[[70521]]

Hi, last year I thought I'd try 2 pack varnish on my Teak/Mahog grab rails etc. Only gave it 2 coats so loads of bare patches to scrape back to proper wood colour. Will ordinary varnish 'take' over the remaining varnished areas after sanding, or should I go for 2 pack again? Many thanks.

With all this lovely varnish about can you still grip the rail with cold hands in gloves healing at 35 degrees in a confused sea with a F6 trying to drag you off the boat?

 

[BabaYaga]

Will ordinary varnish 'take' over the remaining varnished areas after sanding, or should I go for 2 pack again? Many thanks.

In my experience ordinary one pack varnish can well be used on an old, sanded down two pack surface.
The other way around is questionable.

 

[Pye_End]

Hi, last year I thought I'd try 2 pack varnish on my Teak/Mahog grab rails etc. Only gave it 2 coats so loads of bare patches to scrape back to proper wood colour. Will ordinary varnish 'take' over the remaining varnished areas after sanding, or should I go for 2 pack again? Many thanks.

It should 'take', but single part on oily wood doesn't have a great reputation for longevity. Having done similar in the past, now use Woodskin, and will join the list of people recommending this approach.