I need to get all the green stuff off my top side wood rails and then varnish. What is the best way to do this?
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I'd Use a Teak Cleaner...
...then followed by a teak brightener. A kit is available from Starbright. A bit of sanding, then "Cetol" (R) to finish it off should do it.
...then followed by a teak brightener. A kit is available from Starbright. A bit of sanding, then "Cetol" (R) to finish it off should do it.
I'd agree with Paul 100%
Brighten, sand and finish (5 coats of cetol). You may want to consider covers to protect them in the future.
Brighten, sand and finish (5 coats of cetol). You may want to consider covers to protect them in the future.
The August 2007
edition of "Practical Sailor" had an excellent article on varnishes and how to use them properly. If you are not a subscriber, you can buy a back edition from them if interested. Having said that, I throw my hat in with the others here who recommend Cetol. While certainly not as pretty as properly done varnish, it is good enough for me and gives me more time to sail as varnish is a lot more work to apply and maintain.
edition of "Practical Sailor" had an excellent article on varnishes and how to use them properly. If you are not a subscriber, you can buy a back edition from them if interested. Having said that, I throw my hat in with the others here who recommend Cetol. While certainly not as pretty as properly done varnish, it is good enough for me and gives me more time to sail as varnish is a lot more work to apply and maintain.
Use the new Cetol Natural Teak
Just finished doing this very thing this summer. Use the new Cetol Natural Teak. Doesn't have the orange color of the old style Cetol. I then did the last two coats in gloss. Looks very good. Cetol is easy to work with -- I just use the throw away, cheap bristle brushes from Home Depot. Good luck.
Just finished doing this very thing this summer. Use the new Cetol Natural Teak. Doesn't have the orange color of the old style Cetol. I then did the last two coats in gloss. Looks very good. Cetol is easy to work with -- I just use the throw away, cheap bristle brushes from Home Depot. Good luck.
Neat Tip
I also redid my handrails last summer. While working on another project, I found out that if you put those foam throw away brushes in a zip lock baggie in the FREEZER they will keep for several more uses - possibly indefinitely. They don't freeze solid, so just brush on a new coat, then put them back into the freezer until the next coat. I only used one brush for the whole project. Next, sew up some simple Sunbrella covers for the off seasons.
I also redid my handrails last summer. While working on another project, I found out that if you put those foam throw away brushes in a zip lock baggie in the FREEZER they will keep for several more uses - possibly indefinitely. They don't freeze solid, so just brush on a new coat, then put them back into the freezer until the next coat. I only used one brush for the whole project. Next, sew up some simple Sunbrella covers for the off seasons.
Mike - where would you have rails on topsides?
Are they some sort of boarding rails or ladders running up the sides? You surely must mean the rails on your cabin or doghouse eh?
Are they some sort of boarding rails or ladders running up the sides? You surely must mean the rails on your cabin or doghouse eh?
Varnished rails
I have tried the varnish route will poor success. Last year I sanded the toe rails down to bare wood and then cleaned with a two part teak cleaner. Ithen used a product called Bristol Finish. This is a two part expoxy type varnish. It dries quick, I did four coats in one day, and so far it is lasting holding up very well. Others in my area have used this and after getting 6 to 8 coats you only have to do a light maintanance coat each year. So far so good. Ron
I have tried the varnish route will poor success. Last year I sanded the toe rails down to bare wood and then cleaned with a two part teak cleaner. Ithen used a product called Bristol Finish. This is a two part expoxy type varnish. It dries quick, I did four coats in one day, and so far it is lasting holding up very well. Others in my area have used this and after getting 6 to 8 coats you only have to do a light maintanance coat each year. So far so good. Ron
If you want perfection .....
Remove the rails and do them OFF the boat, epoxy encapsulating the areas UNDER the bases to prevent water migration into the wood which will lift most finishes and darken the teak. I used to add 2oz. angel hair cloth to the epoxy under the bases and also covered for ~1/2" up the sides of the bases to 'help' the epoxy. Then you recaulk when you reinstall. This would be "Hinckley Quality" varnishing .... about 6-8+ coats, all flat sanded in between, then buffed and/or 'hand-rubbed' to a brilliant gloss. I switched to Honey Teak (www.signaturefinish.com) 7 years ago, so I dont have such 'hassles' any more.
Remove the rails and do them OFF the boat, epoxy encapsulating the areas UNDER the bases to prevent water migration into the wood which will lift most finishes and darken the teak. I used to add 2oz. angel hair cloth to the epoxy under the bases and also covered for ~1/2" up the sides of the bases to 'help' the epoxy. Then you recaulk when you reinstall. This would be "Hinckley Quality" varnishing .... about 6-8+ coats, all flat sanded in between, then buffed and/or 'hand-rubbed' to a brilliant gloss. I switched to Honey Teak (www.signaturefinish.com) 7 years ago, so I dont have such 'hassles' any more.
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