I have an 1987 Catalina that has been ignored for several years. The on deck teak needs work. About 2/3 of the varnish has come off and I want to redo the teak but do not know what materials to use. Should I chemically remove old varnish, or should I sand? Also what kind of varnish has been successful?
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Varnish
Just redid my boat. Lots of sanding/scraping down to bare wood (PO had used Cetol which to me looks like orange paint). About 9 coats (at least 9 cause I lost count) of W.M. varnish. I'm going to keep it covered so I don't have to do this again soon! Go to the Sailnet C-30 site and look at the archives about varnishing. There are just about as many opinions/options as there are boats. Also the IC30A is the place for Catalina 30 information. Lots of good info!
Just redid my boat. Lots of sanding/scraping down to bare wood (PO had used Cetol which to me looks like orange paint). About 9 coats (at least 9 cause I lost count) of W.M. varnish. I'm going to keep it covered so I don't have to do this again soon! Go to the Sailnet C-30 site and look at the archives about varnishing. There are just about as many opinions/options as there are boats. Also the IC30A is the place for Catalina 30 information. Lots of good info!
Bristol Finish
Connie, First, sand or scrape away all the remaining varnish down to bare wood. You may also need to bleach the wood with some teak cleaner (such as TeKa). Then put on many coats of varnish or other finishes. If you use varnish, put on at least 12 coats. If you use other finishes, I would recommend six coats. I use a two-part polyuerethane product called Bristol Finish. Looks like varnish, but wears much better. I redo my teak trim once every couple of years. Most important is surface preparation. Sanding smooth and ensuring the surface is dust free is very important. Also sanding between coats helps give you that mirror shine. Good luck. Les Murray s/v Ceilidh '86 C-36 #560
Connie, First, sand or scrape away all the remaining varnish down to bare wood. You may also need to bleach the wood with some teak cleaner (such as TeKa). Then put on many coats of varnish or other finishes. If you use varnish, put on at least 12 coats. If you use other finishes, I would recommend six coats. I use a two-part polyuerethane product called Bristol Finish. Looks like varnish, but wears much better. I redo my teak trim once every couple of years. Most important is surface preparation. Sanding smooth and ensuring the surface is dust free is very important. Also sanding between coats helps give you that mirror shine. Good luck. Les Murray s/v Ceilidh '86 C-36 #560
Teak
I agree with Les. I use Bristol Finish. It goes on easy, looks great and lasts. Surface prep is the key. Check the Bristol Finish website.
I agree with Les. I use Bristol Finish. It goes on easy, looks great and lasts. Surface prep is the key. Check the Bristol Finish website.
Cetol
I have used varnish and have used Cetol. Believe me, after 12 years of owning this boat, a 1978 C27, the ease of maintenance with Cetol far outshines any cosmetic benefits you can get with varnish. In fact, I prefer the look of the Cetol to varnish. It looks great, once a season I just lightly go over it with a Scotchbrite pad and it is ready for a new coat or two. Try doing that with varnished wood. Lots of sanding. I hate sanding, you will too. Trust me. I have some pictures of the wood with Cetol applied, if you care to take a look at the link below.
I have used varnish and have used Cetol. Believe me, after 12 years of owning this boat, a 1978 C27, the ease of maintenance with Cetol far outshines any cosmetic benefits you can get with varnish. In fact, I prefer the look of the Cetol to varnish. It looks great, once a season I just lightly go over it with a Scotchbrite pad and it is ready for a new coat or two. Try doing that with varnished wood. Lots of sanding. I hate sanding, you will too. Trust me. I have some pictures of the wood with Cetol applied, if you care to take a look at the link below.
Cetol
Thanks, I thought it turned out quite well and looks great. I think you will be pleased at how it works out for you. Can't beat it for ease of maintenance. Perhaps not for the traditionalists that prefer varnish, but I can do without the tedious sanding.
Thanks, I thought it turned out quite well and looks great. I think you will be pleased at how it works out for you. Can't beat it for ease of maintenance. Perhaps not for the traditionalists that prefer varnish, but I can do without the tedious sanding.
not worth the dif
varnish does looks better but, if you had rather sail than sand go with Cetol. Ive gone both routes and from my experience the marginal improvement in appearance is not worth the extraordinary difference in the amount of work. you also have to consider our FL sun and year round sailing.
varnish does looks better but, if you had rather sail than sand go with Cetol. Ive gone both routes and from my experience the marginal improvement in appearance is not worth the extraordinary difference in the amount of work. you also have to consider our FL sun and year round sailing.
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