Caulking Oc 351 cockpit seats

[sailrj]

We are refinishing the cockpit seats of our 1996 Oceanis 351. In searching the web, the consensus is that the caulk is silicone. I tapped on each side of the cleaned grooves where the caulk goes and started the application, made a mess. Would very much appreciate any input from other Oceanis owners who have tackled this job as to how the best way to approach and complete this task. There has got to be a better way to do this!!

 

[gregrosine]

I saw a very helpful piece on recaulking teak decking that might help. While this was a whole deck and you are only doing the cockpit seats, it might be very helpful.
http://sundownersailsagain.com/caulking-deck-seams-teak-decking-systems/

Now my turn for a question. The varnish on our seats is starting to peel, and I am thinking of just removing the varnish and leaving the teak natural. Any thoughts? We have a 1999 352

 

[NiceBeny]

That's a good video. I really need to do it too

 

[sailrj]

Natural Teak

My experience with leaving the teak natural has been that it will mold and turn grey shortly. We're using TeakGuard. Its fairly easy to use, holds up well, and a maintenance coat a year+ down the road is easy to apply. We had good luck removing the old varnish with a hot air scrapper. Good luck with the refinish.
Thanks for the info on the caulk.

 

[rdees]

I leave my teak natural. On some other threads on here people mentioned a product called LA Awesome. I tried it and it works well. You get it at the Dollar Store, and it costs...a dollar. You spray it on, wait five minutes, use a medium scrub brush perpendicular to the grain. It takes the gray mildew off that feeds on the oil in the teak, and comes out a nice warm brown.