More Woodwork Questions

[Bad Obsession]

The pervious owner of my boat had refinished all of the interior woodwork. He didn't varnish it though. The result is there are some areas that I need to coat with varnish, after cleaning, and some areas have faded and they will need sanding and staining before varnishing.What is the best way to clean the areas that just need to be cleaned before varnishing? Any other suggestions would be greatly appreciated, especially time saving suggestions!

 

[jimg]

Don't stain.

I'm sure you're going to get lots of replies and opinions on the various pros and cons of wood finishes. My only bit of definite advice would be: Do Not Stain! The interior wood is probably either teak or mahogany, both of which look much, much better with just varnish (or oil, or...) to let the natural color come out. Staining either of these ends up looking unnatural, and basically an artificial and ugly finish is the result. Try a small section and see.

 

[Calif. Ted]

jimg is correct, your varnish or oil finish will

darken the wood and bring out the grain. It's probably teak, I sand progressively to 320 grit and handsand at the end to eliminate any machine swirls etc. from sanders. You can "preview" what it will look like with finish by wiping with mineral spirits on a clean rag which you will do to remove dust anyway.

 

[Bad Obsession]

It is already stained

The previous owner had stained the woodwork before I bought the boat. He never varnished it.

 

[william]

Cabin wood

Varnish is on the cabin sole and the teak wood next to the cushions, however, the rest of the cabin is simply a restored teak with a lemon oil finish that works just fine if applied on a once a month schedule.

 

[Augie Byllott]

Teak

A number of years ago I purchased a room full of teak furniture. Refusing to sell me any of the 'polish' on display, the salesman told me to get a pint of turpentine at the paint store and a pint of mineral oil at the drug store. He said mix them together in a plastic one liter soft drink container with a screw top and you'll have a quart of the best teak oil there is. Just lay it on with a paint brush and, after a couple of hours, wipe with a soft cloth to remove whatever has not soaked in.It worked so well on the furniture that I applied it to the abundant teak on the interior of my 1978 C30.A treatment every spring keeps the interior absolutely beautiful.Inexpensive, easy to apply, warm look of an expensive oiled finish. What more could one ask.