On my 1994 37.5 legend there are teak handrails on top of the cabin (outside) and stern rail seats that are teak. They are weathered and gray. Is there a way to bring them back to the teak color we all now or is it too late?? thanks
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Sure there is a way
Both can be refinished with elbow grease. I have my own supply which I guard and I don't know where you can buy some but if you have male children they may know a source. You can take an orbital sander and go to it. This is the simpler answer but it really depends on how badly they are grayed. The sander will get everything except the undersides of the actual place you grab to. Just be careful to not scuff the gel coat with the sander edge.
Both can be refinished with elbow grease. I have my own supply which I guard and I don't know where you can buy some but if you have male children they may know a source. You can take an orbital sander and go to it. This is the simpler answer but it really depends on how badly they are grayed. The sander will get everything except the undersides of the actual place you grab to. Just be careful to not scuff the gel coat with the sander edge.
There are
chemical cleaners on the market that do a good job of restoring the color. I've used TE-KA sold at WM. The other problem is restoring the smooth finish. Only sanding will do that I usually remove the wood which 1, makes it easy to work with and 2, you don't have to worry about staining or damaging the fiberglass.
chemical cleaners on the market that do a good job of restoring the color. I've used TE-KA sold at WM. The other problem is restoring the smooth finish. Only sanding will do that I usually remove the wood which 1, makes it easy to work with and 2, you don't have to worry about staining or damaging the fiberglass.
Stay away from 2 part cleaners
They are acid and do horrible things to teak. The one-part cleaners are better. A VERY LOW POWER pressure washer can work. VERY VERY low power. Or it will take the soft wood out from between the grain. Light sanding and a finish. I just re-did mine with Wood Finish Gloss by Epiphanes. (Well I had to replace my hand rails they had been sanded to nothing.)
They are acid and do horrible things to teak. The one-part cleaners are better. A VERY LOW POWER pressure washer can work. VERY VERY low power. Or it will take the soft wood out from between the grain. Light sanding and a finish. I just re-did mine with Wood Finish Gloss by Epiphanes. (Well I had to replace my hand rails they had been sanded to nothing.)
Where the teak meets the glass
A problem I've had with varnish is where the teak meets the fiberglass. One can varnish right down to the glass but it seems moisture creeps under and separates the varnish from the teak. Would a little bead of caulk be the answer? Glen
A problem I've had with varnish is where the teak meets the fiberglass. One can varnish right down to the glass but it seems moisture creeps under and separates the varnish from the teak. Would a little bead of caulk be the answer? Glen
Rick,
I was using Epefanes on another boat with a foredeck toerail which ran along about the front 1/3 of a 33' boat. I did about 8 coats, thinning the first couple, and it only lasted about a year before it started lifting along the base. I too will be making sunbrella covers for the exterior teak. After all, if you can't obsess about your boat, what can you obsess about? Glen
I was using Epefanes on another boat with a foredeck toerail which ran along about the front 1/3 of a 33' boat. I did about 8 coats, thinning the first couple, and it only lasted about a year before it started lifting along the base. I too will be making sunbrella covers for the exterior teak. After all, if you can't obsess about your boat, what can you obsess about? Glen
Rick thanks, and same to you.
Nope, not fabbed. All the stuff is off the shelf from West Marine. An old friend managed the store so I get a huge discount. Too bad he quit!
Nope, not fabbed. All the stuff is off the shelf from West Marine. An old friend managed the store so I get a huge discount. Too bad he quit!
Thanks for the info
Thanks for everyones input. Rick especially that is some great looking teak. I can only dream of that. I know how I know that
Thanks for everyones input. Rick especially that is some great looking teak. I can only dream of that. I know how I know that
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