This is been a great site for information so here I am again. I am starting the process of refinishing the teak strips on the pulpit and stern seats of our Hunter 37.5. It appears that they may have been varnished at some point but they are totally gray now. I started sanding them last night and I'm now afraid it may take some agressive sanding to get them back to original color. I'm wondering if I should use a teak cleaner to help restore the color or if I should just sand. I plan to varnish the strips when done. Any suggestions?
Refinishing the Teak on Pulpit and Stern seats
- Thread starter texastom
- Start date
- Status
Refinishing
When I bought my H285 2yrs ago, all the teak had been varnished and it had not been maintained. I was thinking that I'd have to use a brightener when I stripped and refinished all of it. As it turned out, I used an orbital sander with 100-grit disks and it took off the old varnish easily and quickly. I then used 220-grit disks and the teak looked like new. I decided against using varnish because I didn't want to do this again soon. Used Cetol instead and love it.
When I bought my H285 2yrs ago, all the teak had been varnished and it had not been maintained. I was thinking that I'd have to use a brightener when I stripped and refinished all of it. As it turned out, I used an orbital sander with 100-grit disks and it took off the old varnish easily and quickly. I then used 220-grit disks and the teak looked like new. I decided against using varnish because I didn't want to do this again soon. Used Cetol instead and love it.
cetol
I agree cetol great for this i usually remove the seats during winter storage and cover them, with covers from the Chandelry in season t
I agree cetol great for this i usually remove the seats during winter storage and cover them, with covers from the Chandelry in season t
Just completed this this winter
Just did this same project on my stern rail seats this winter. Previous owner had added coat after coat of varnish which was now peeling away and looked very faded. Took orbital sander, started with 100 grit then 150 grit then finally 220 grit. Only took about 1.5 hours to sand the 14 +/- boards. Then cleaned with bleach and let dry. Next applied a cetol type finish (think it was called admiral stain or something like that). I know it was a WM product that was a two part unlike the cetol which was a stain then a finsh (gloss/semi-gloss). I'll see how it holds up after a couple of months/season.
Just did this same project on my stern rail seats this winter. Previous owner had added coat after coat of varnish which was now peeling away and looked very faded. Took orbital sander, started with 100 grit then 150 grit then finally 220 grit. Only took about 1.5 hours to sand the 14 +/- boards. Then cleaned with bleach and let dry. Next applied a cetol type finish (think it was called admiral stain or something like that). I know it was a WM product that was a two part unlike the cetol which was a stain then a finsh (gloss/semi-gloss). I'll see how it holds up after a couple of months/season.
Thanks for the input
Fortunately I'm not faced with removing any varnish as its all gone if it ever was there. I am faced with bringing the wood back to its original color. Orbital sander was my next idea if nothing else works. Went to West Marine and they said that teak cleaner should help restore the color and then sand with 150 - 220 to get it smooth. We'll see. By the way, I don't like the look of Cetol and since there's not that much teak I'd just as soon do it in varnish. I know what you're thinking, he'll change his mind and you are probably right.
Fortunately I'm not faced with removing any varnish as its all gone if it ever was there. I am faced with bringing the wood back to its original color. Orbital sander was my next idea if nothing else works. Went to West Marine and they said that teak cleaner should help restore the color and then sand with 150 - 220 to get it smooth. We'll see. By the way, I don't like the look of Cetol and since there's not that much teak I'd just as soon do it in varnish. I know what you're thinking, he'll change his mind and you are probably right.
- Status