Replies

1. 
   beezle_bub | Nov 05, 1999 05:45pm | #1

   *
   Hey there
   Finishing Teak for a boat is something I had to deal with several years ago. My friends boat had a fair amount of teak and is in the Hudson River in NJ, right across from NYC. Being a refinisher I initially used what I generally use, water based finish. I used a tougher version than I do on our furniture and pianos though. A water based urethane hybrid did not last the season. Next season I tried a high solids super tough polyurethane intended for marine purposes. It lasted a season and a half. My only other suggestion was an epoxy finish but I was through experimenting and just went with good old teak oil. Although not a protective finish it does bring out the beauty of the teak. The only trade off is that you have to reapply it often but thats as easy as wiping it on with a rag. good luck

1. 
   Don_Z | Nov 05, 1999 11:49pm | #2

   *Beezle Bub,Thanks for the information. I ended up buying some Akzo Nobel Sikkens Cetol Marine Varnish. So far, it seems to be doing the job in restoring the wood. I wasn't able to find any teak oil, sounds as if that would have been easier to apply, but more work in maintaining an oil finish. We'll be fishing in the Gulf of Mexico on a weekly basis, less maintainence is better for us.Don

1. 
   Frank_LaPiana | Nov 15, 1999 02:35am | #3

   *It's been over 20 years, but back then the traditional finish for teak was "teak cleaner" and "teak oil", applied at the beginning and end of the season. Teak was not usually varnished (mahogany "brightwork" was). Many people never used anything on teak, letting it weather to a grey color.

1. 
   drvnputt | Nov 17, 1999 06:14pm | #4

   *Years ago, when pleasure sail boats where covered with teak, people hired folks that did nothing but keep up with cleaning and oiling it. Not a problem to them, as they had the bucks to do that. If you're doing it yourself, that's a different story. I've found the easiest,(not necessarily the best) way to clean the teak is with a teak cleaner. You brush or wipe it on, let it set, then hose it off. Presto, brand new teak. It can be had at any decent boat store. (boat U.S., etc.) After that, teak oil is the easiest finish to use. It needs re-application periodically, but I've found no finish that will hold up long to the salt and sun environment. Some alternatives would be to paint the teak, (argh), or let it weather naturally.