Deck Rail Re-finish

[YVRguy]

The deck rails on my boat are pretty weather-worn and have been since I bought her earlier this year. By the looks of them they have been oiled rather than varnished but I'm really not much of a craftsman. Based on this pic does anyone have suggestions on best way to bring out the best in them?

 

[Gunni]

Start with a teak cleaner (I use WM powdered Teak Cleaner, mixed into a paste and a scrubby pad) and see if you can get it clean. After that you will need to tape it off and sand using a decreasing coarse to fine grit.

 

[BarryL]

Well, what are you looking for:

Easy would be to pour some seawater on them and scrub a little. That will clean them up at least.

Harder (but not hard) would be to clean them with teak cleaner, then brighten with brightener and then oil. They will look nice but not for very long (unless you keep oiling them a lot)

Most difficult (not THAT hard and the best looking) would be to clean then with teak cleaner, then sand, and then varnish. Good varnish should last a few years.

Good luck,
Barry

 

[SailingCal21]

I'm with Barry, however would go with a Cetol finish. Varnish is definitely the classic way, but a good Cetol finish is IMHO easier to maintain.

 

[YVRguy]

Thanks guys. I somehow had the impression that using vanish on the rails is frowned upon and that you're supposed to just keep oiling them. Shows what I know...

 

[DougM]

Varnish is great looking but requires constant maintenance. To start with, you may have an adhesion problem if the teak has previously been oiled. When the teak is really clean and dry, it will take at least a half dozen coats of varnish to even start getting a good finish. If the grain is raised on the existing teak it's going to take a lot of pre sanding to get a smooth surface.

My boat's teak surfaces were originally finished with Cetol, but I have never liked the color. I simply let it weather off completely, then scrubbed the teak with salt water regularly to keep it clean. I have considered trying the Cetol again. I probably would not do varnish on any underfoot surfaces, because it gets slippery if wet.

 

[Brian S]

If you want to varnish areas underfoot, you could sprinkle some sugar (granular, regular sugar, not confectioner's sugar ) on your final coat of varnish, then wash off the sugar after the varnish dries. This will get you a non-skid stipple.

Brian

I probably would not do varnish on any underfoot surfaces, because it gets slippery if wet.