Cockpit Seating

[twdevore]

The teak strips in the cockpit area were poorly varnished and now are flaking off. I'd like to refinish them, probably just sand and remove the varnish. How do I work around the rubber strips? Are there replacements available? Any suggestions?
Tim

 

[Buz215]

Had the same problem and used a power sander to take off the flake and a little of the rubber came with it. They look great now and i just keep them oiled.

 

[Gunni]

The teak strips in the cockpit area were poorly varnished and now are flaking off. I'd like to refinish them, probably just sand and remove the varnish. How do I work around the rubber strips? Are there replacements available? Any suggestions?
Tim

The entire teak insert is an assembly, with teak laminated to a plywood backer that is adhered using a adhesive caulk. Mask tape the perimeter to protect your gelcoat and sand it. You do not want any of the teak on the seating surfaces or swim platform finished with a built up coating (varnish, gloss cetol, etc.) you need the inherent grip of teak on those surfaces to give you sure footing. Oil is fine.

 

[twdevore]

The entire teak insert is an assembly, with teak laminated to a plywood backer that is adhered using a adhesive caulk. Mask tape the perimeter to protect your gelcoat and sand it. You do not want any of the teak on the seating surfaces or swim platform finished with a built up coating (varnish, gloss cetol, etc.) you need the inherent grip of teak on those surfaces to give you sure footing. Oil is fine.

The rubber strips are higher than the teak, I'm thinking it's for traction, so sanding would not be easy without removing the rubber strips. Some rubber pieces are already coming out. Each wood strip appears to have two screws under the screw plugs.

 

[DougM]

I would suggest removing tho old caulking completely as it sounds like its beginning to reach the end of its life. then scrape the old finish off the teak, amd re caulk. You can make a neat job of it by using masking tape on the sides of each seam. Its work,but really not that bad. Because its a teak veneer, i would be a little nervous about sanding. I would then recommend no finish, and definitely no oil because all it does is attract dirt, mold, and algae. To clean the bare teak, scrub with salt water and a medium stiff brush. If you are in fresh water, buy a box of pickling salt for about a buck, and make your own.

 

[Mariner62]

I have the same problem of the caulking being higher than the teak. I'm also looking for ways to tidy it up without having to re-caulk. Particularly bad on the swim platform of my 423.

 

[Mike B]

An option, if the black caulking isn't in too bad of shape, is to use a razor knife and cut out the bad sections, then refill with black silicone caulking. Check into a product called Teak Guard. If left go it will fade and flake, but it does clean up much easier than varnish or cetol and looks great with a natural gold tone.
Mike