Varnish for teak

lustyd

lustyd

Well-Known Member
Joined
27 Jul 2010
Messages
14,208
Visit site
Hi all I'm thinking about varnishing the teak rubbing strip around my boat this year in an effort to make it look good for a bit longer than oil would. Can anyone please recommend a good varnish which will leave the colour intact as well as being satin or Matt finish? I can't describe how much I dislike shiny varnished wood so please don't suggest anything gloss! I'm happy with marine prices so not overly worried about finding a cheap alternative although it would be nice.
Cheers
Dave
 
Porous woodstain from B&Q in the lightest tint you can get. Best is Sikkens Novatec/Top which is two part but you need to buy two big tins which will be a lifetime supply for just a rubbing strake. Make sure you degrease the teak with acetone before applying. A good woodstain will last up to 5 years and is easily touched up because it erodes rather than break down or flake.
 
I learnt a while ago that the worst thing to do with teak is oil / varnish / treat it with anything other than water and a not too hard brush across the grain. Oil attracts dirt. Varnish on an oily wood does not last long.

Teak is used because of its natural weathering ability and this is only affected by our intervention. Probably.....
 
Thanks guys. I'm determined to do something to it because it looks aweful when it weathers to grey. I realise leaving it alone is probably the best thing for it but it looks so good freshly sanded :)
 
So... up to now nobody has answered your question........

I'm a lover of varnished teak or any wood for that matter but I have found over the years that there isnt a panacia for varnish and there are many suitable varnish products out there.

Personally, the last couple of years I have been using Rylard and it comes with satin and gloss finishes. For me it suits what I do on Little Ship.

You stated I'm happy with marine prices that said any of the top end varnish products will do, I will add however that correct preperation and application is the answer to a long lasting finish.

Good luck and let us know what you choose.

Tom

PS. Stains are only good on the garden shed and fence............they have no place on brightwork.
 
I used to use teak oil but it did not last too long, only a month or two.

Recently I have started using Danish Oil which does last all season and is easily repaired for the next season by rubbing with a scouring pad, no scraping required, so minimalist preparation and the oil is very easy to apply.
 
lustyd said:
I knew someone would say that! No I never hit anything at all ;)
Click to expand...

In my case it was the lanyards for the fenders that rubbed gaping holes in the previous owner's ill-advised varnish. Once the water got in through there the whole lot came off in sheets.

Pete
 
Ah well luckily my boat is small enough that nothing really gets close to them unless I do happen to muck up a manoevre. Perhaps I ought to just learn to live with the grey look though.
 
Our boat has teak trim around the cockpit and as a toerail. It was origionaly finished with a Sikkens product 'Cetol' marine light. International now have the brand and the new 'Woodskin' looks good on the washboards. I was able to take them home and do them over the winter. We are looking to complete the rest when it stops raining! Tranona's tip for Novatech is good- its a similar product but not specificaly intended for marine use. As our boat is a creamy ivory colour, silver teak looked very dull- we have had it like that for two seasons and have now decided to give it a proper job.
 
i have been using 'teak wonder' for cleaning and refurbishment then their teak sealer.
the cleaner and refurbishment are two bottles, You wet the teak sponge on the cleaner which does lift all the dirt and grey etc., then wash off followed by the refurb put on with a sponge which brings it up beautifully, when dry use their sealer.
Its the best by far that I have used!

bob
 
robertj said:
i have been using 'teak wonder' for cleaning and refurbishment then their teak sealer.
the cleaner and refurbishment are two bottles, You wet the teak sponge on the cleaner which does lift all the dirt and grey etc., then wash off followed by the refurb put on with a sponge which brings it up beautifully, when dry use their sealer.
Its the best by far that I have used!

bob
Click to expand...

Out of interest how long does it last once complete?
 
Varnish for Teak

Hi Dave, I agree that glossy varnish on Teak is silly....... but I like a "finish" on my cap rail and other select bits - I think it looks better. Around the cockpit winches in particular I think it is definitely better to have a sealant on there to stop ice forming in the cracks in raw teak. Cetol Filter 7 Plus in pine colour is as close as you will get I think to what you are after. It is a soft finish rather than a brittle varnish and lasts very well. Really easy to apply - two coats is enough. I have tried the Teak Wonder stuff but in my opinion not as nice a finish and only lasted a season whereas the Cetol is still good three years in - pickies show Cetol on aft cockpit locker, cap rails etc. If damaged it is easy to touch it up and it does not lift the way conventional varnish does. Pitty they don't make it in clear - but that would mean less UV resistance I suppose.

a1037.jpg


a1062.jpg


Robin
Pleiades of Birdham
MXWQ5
 
You must log in or register to reply here.

Share this page

Top