I recently purchased a 1967 Tempest, in surprisingly good shape, though the brightwork does need some help. Is the wood Teak or Philippine mahogany? Any suggestions as to best varnish for this?
Brightwork
- Thread starter Csbyl
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A lot of US boat builders in that era (mid 60s-mid 70s) used Iroko, a west African 'teak substitute'. Not much in the way of modern coatings will 'adhere' well to Iroko, except for oil based varnish and oil finishes. Iroko is quite permeable to water, so for outside usage it usually has to be 'epoxy sealed' on its 'undersides' in order for most coatings to not be lifted due to moisture intrusion from the 'backside'
The ID of Iroko is that it looks like teak but the lighter grain portion is much softer than teak; is lighter in weight than teak. Iroko if left bare/grey will usually be deeply eroded in its 'soft' grain, the hard grain will be 'quite prominent'.
Varnished/finished it is much more beautifully eye-pleasing than teak.
Philippine mahogany is a catch-all term for usually easy to rot, mish-mash of asian 'soft woods' rarely used in external / wet applications.
The ID of Iroko is that it looks like teak but the lighter grain portion is much softer than teak; is lighter in weight than teak. Iroko if left bare/grey will usually be deeply eroded in its 'soft' grain, the hard grain will be 'quite prominent'.
Varnished/finished it is much more beautifully eye-pleasing than teak.
Philippine mahogany is a catch-all term for usually easy to rot, mish-mash of asian 'soft woods' rarely used in external / wet applications.
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