Companionway Steps Advice Needed

[Steve L22188]

Just completed refinishing the sole of my 1988 O'Day 302. Used Ultimate Sole finish -- it looks absolutely terrific and was easy to use (apart from not being as young as I once was -- and finding that crawling on hands and knees in a cramped boat requires large doses of ibuprofen).

The problem: now the companionway steps look like hell compared to the floor.

These steps are solid teak and I don't think there's been anything on them for 21 years. I've never oiled them -- only cleaned them with a damp rag and vacuumed as needed. They are raw teak and look a little bleached and ragged.

What should I put on these steps? Should I use the remainder of the Ultimate Sole product?
Would teak oil get too slick when going up and down the steps with wet, bare feet?

Should I use the Ultimate Sole and then add those grip strips that are sometimes at the edge of steps?

Anybody done anything like this? I'm looking for advice from anyone who's already solve this.

Thanks.

 

[sailingdog]

Use ultimate sole on the companionway steps, and add the grip strips only if you find them too slick. US has pretty good grip even wet.

 

[Tim R.]

I just refinished my companionway steps and I used the same finish as the salon interior(not the sole). It is Varithane oil based poly in semi gloss. I then used some 2 sided tape to add precut carpet steps(from big box store) for traction.

This makes getting in and out much easier for our dog and also catches a lot of water and dirt from our shoes when entering. If they get too beat up we just buy more. We also chose a pattern that would not easily show dirt. We had been using them for 2 years and they still looked like new before removal for refinish.