More Teak

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Rich (P303)

Rich (P303)

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Jun 1, 2005
772
Pearson 303 Robinhood, ME
I have a limited amount of Cetol on the exterior from PO... and not happy with the look. (looks like rubbed on cr*p) Question for you... I would like to varnish. How do I get existing Cetol off? Sand... seems like that would take forever? Chemical stripper... don't know what kind would be compatable with fiberglass. Other??? Dorade boxes; toe kick along the deck; hand rails... that is about it. Thanks for your response in advance.
 
AXEL

AXEL

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Mar 12, 2008
359
Catalina C30 MKIII WEST ISLIP, NY
It sands easily

A couple of years ago I wanted to strip the Cetol off my C30 and was suprised how easily it sanded off.
 
Marcia

Marcia

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Mar 26, 2007
123
Paceship Yachts PY23 Cove Marina, NAB, Norfolk VA
Sand, sand, sand and sand some more....

I agree with Higgs!! I used one of those spongy sanding blocks and wrapped some 80 grit paper around it (just to take off the old Cetol), then progressively finer until smooth. Didn't take long once all the old Cetol was gone. The biggest pain was in the taping off for revarnishing.
 
S

Steve O.

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Jun 4, 2004
125
Hunter 333 Elk Rapids, MI
lacquer thinner and scraping

I have used this method to remove varnish before. Use a crub pad and scaper. Wear rubber gloves.
 
Rich (P303)

Rich (P303)

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Jun 1, 2005
772
Pearson 303 Robinhood, ME
Higgs...

Very Nice! What you are trying to tell me... is that it doesn't come off by itself? I would assume that this sanding needs to be done out of the weather correct? Either inside or under a cover. Is teak like oak... if it gets wet, it will turn black? I suppose I could work on one section at a time... if I had a stetch of weather that I could sand and put a coat of varnish on the same day. Then hit multiple coats as weather permits. I think this will be a fall project. So little time... I want to sail.
 
sailortonyb Allied Mis

sailortonyb Allied Mis

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Jun 12, 2004
1,181
Allied Mistress 39 Ketch Kemah,Tx.
Anti-Cetol Movement

It seems like we are gaining in numbers. I too always have said that it looks like crap. The build-up sanded off pretty easy but the orange/pink dye or pigment or whatever was down deep into the wood. I seriously doubt that any stripper would remove that as I used to do refinishing. Stripper will remove the varnish - urethane part of it but not necesarily the dye or pigment that soaked into the wood. I sanded down to bare wood and used bleach to remove the coloring agent. It did remove some, but not enough. I had to keep on sanding (actually, the admiral did it). Lost some wood thickness in the process but I finally got past it. As a side note, my neighbor used Cetol and he cant figure out why my finish looks so good as compared to his. He said he followed the directions. I told him that the Cetol has all sorts of stuff in it that hides and muddles the finish. He said that he used their gloss finish (I am not familiar with their product line) but the wood grain doesnt stand out. I explained to him that if i wrap celephane over my clothes, I may shine but I still wont appear naked (thank God). Tony B
 
S

Scott

Teak won't turn black ...

no need to worry about exposing the teak to weather. The worst that happens to teak if you leave it entirely exposed for a long period of time is that it turns silver. But then you can still sand it and get the golden color back. The only time your teak will turn black is when you get a build-up of algae. That comes off, too. You should see the before and after of my teak swim deck on my ski boat after 20 years. I barely do any maintenance and I can get a perfect golden finish simply by occasionally sanding off the crud that accumulates.
 
higgs

higgs

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Aug 24, 2005
3,736
Nassau 34 Olcott, NY
weather

Adding to Scott's post sanded teak will stay looking nice for a week or so. Be sure to wash it with acetone immediately before varnishing. The acetone evaporates real fast. I have been using Bristol Finish, which is OK in appearance, but takes less time to apply than traditional varnish. Bristol does not require sanding between coats as long as each coat is applied within 24 of the last. A second coat can go on in an hour or so after the prior one. I like the results of varnish better, but it takes longer to build up coats and you will need to lightly sand between each coat.
 
Bob V

Bob V

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Mar 13, 2008
235
Catalina 42mkII Lagoon Point
epoxy base coat

I'll start off by identifying myself as a non-expert. I wonder if anyone ever uses a base coat of epoxy with a hardener designed for clear coating wood. I am in the process of refinishing the wood on my 6-year old dinghy. I contacted the boat shop the built it to see what their original finish was. They informed me that they start with two coats of West Systems Epoxy with 207 hardener followed by three coats of Detco #1 varnish (or #2 for warm weather application). This finish was amazingly durable and had the deep clear look of 10 coats of varnish. I just finished sanding the first coat of epoxy with 400 grit and it feels like a grand piano finish. The builder explained that the epoxy protected the wood and the varnish portected the epoxy from UV. Maiantenance would just be adding coats of varnish as the years go by and light sanding. After six years of subjecting the original finish to extreme abuse like dragging anchor chain across it in an emergeny. It was down to bare wood in places so I elected to start from scratch and sanded everything down to bare wood. A cabinet scarper blade can remove some of the Cetol to make the sanding go faster.
 
Bob V

Bob V

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Mar 13, 2008
235
Catalina 42mkII Lagoon Point
Question for Mainesail

What did you use to sand those studs in your garage and what type of finish do you plan to use on them. They look pretty nice. ;-)
 
Stillraining

Stillraining

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Dec 8, 2007
478
Irwin 41 CC Ketch LaConner WA
Main

If our paths ever cross Im going to beat you with a stick..:D Oh by the way your two light bulbs short..
 
Maine Sail

Maine Sail

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Feb 6, 1998
11,759
Canadian Sailcraft 36T Casco Bay, ME
Yeah...

When I wired I went a little overboard with light sockets cause they're cheap. I loaded up my fluorescents and it was like Fenway in there so I took two out..
 
G

Gary Sisson

Do nothing?

I have done absolutely nothing to my teak and it looks fine (silver color). Anything wrong with that?
 
sailaway78

sailaway78

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May 11, 2005
3,431
Seidelman S37 Slidell, La.
I would probably never

If I had a boat that beautiful, don't think I would ever have the nerve to put it in the water, or take a chance on getting a scratch. Not to mention a gouge. I love it, but wouldn't want to own it.
 
Rich (P303)

Rich (P303)

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Jun 1, 2005
772
Pearson 303 Robinhood, ME
Nice N Easy...

just think how easy it would be to fix! A little flashing here... roof cement there... a wood screw here... a little wood glue there! It's right up our alley.
 
Maine Sail

Maine Sail

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Feb 6, 1998
11,759
Canadian Sailcraft 36T Casco Bay, ME
Umm Rich...

Your math is quite LOW. With an 85.00 per hour labor rate $5000.00 would only get you 58 hours of labor. There is no one on this or any forum that could varnish that boat professional or not in 58 hours... That thing probably takes 50 hours per coat, of which it most likely has about 12 or more, not to mention any prep work!! I bet he's into that varnish at about 15 -20k annually...
 
sailortonyb Allied Mis

sailortonyb Allied Mis

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Jun 12, 2004
1,181
Allied Mistress 39 Ketch Kemah,Tx.
Gary

As Mainesail said..."beauty is in the yey of the beholder". That being said, I will answer your question by saying that yes, there is something wrong with that. Mainly, ther is no protection of the teak. Teak is nowhere as bullet proof as some would like to think. The suns heat, UV rays, wind and rain all contribute to erosion of the wood. Thats where you get the deep grooves inbetween the grain lines. That is lost wood. In addition, there will be drying out and serious cracking. My favorite expression....walk the piers and look at others. Tony B
 
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