So we bought a Catalina 30 a few months back and the teak on the outside needs some work. The wood itself seems in okay shape, but the varnish is off in places, so from what I hear that means it will need to be completely sanded off. Well once that's done (which could be a while) we don't really know what to do with it. We're thinking of going with oil instead of vanish, does anyone have experience with that? I saw one site that said some brands of oil hold up better in some climates, so I guess opinions from SoCal would be particularly helpful. On the other hand, is applying vanish really as tricky as I've been hearing? Should we just go ahead and use that? Of course I guess it all deppends on what one is trying to accomplish. I don't really care about making it looks super shiny or anything, I just want to keep it looking decent.
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Varnish depends
Well it depends on the upkeep you want to have and if you have covers for the areas to be varnished. I have owned my catalina 30 for two and half years and just recently went to varnish. the teak was heavily grooved and weathered when I got the boat. I used the two part teak cleaner and brightener and then used teak oil to finish. with the deep grooves in the teak it picked up alot of dirt with the oil and had to clean it once a month. also every once and awile re oil the teak in between. If you like the natural teak just clean and brighten this lasts longer but does not have the nice dark finish. In November of 05 I took all the teak off the boat sanded it and varnished it and used captains spar varnish in 6 coats. it was not enough. in 4 months I have already had to put on another coat and because I did not get all the grooves out of the teak I have to now resand and revarnish the hatch boards and slide hatch sides. so it is up to you what kind of look you want. I like the varnish look but it is alot of work to keep it up if it is not covered. I just bought handrail covers because of all the masking and angles you have on the railing. It was a good deal to buy those covers from this site and they did a good job and they fit well. Good luck and happy sailing! <John
Well it depends on the upkeep you want to have and if you have covers for the areas to be varnished. I have owned my catalina 30 for two and half years and just recently went to varnish. the teak was heavily grooved and weathered when I got the boat. I used the two part teak cleaner and brightener and then used teak oil to finish. with the deep grooves in the teak it picked up alot of dirt with the oil and had to clean it once a month. also every once and awile re oil the teak in between. If you like the natural teak just clean and brighten this lasts longer but does not have the nice dark finish. In November of 05 I took all the teak off the boat sanded it and varnished it and used captains spar varnish in 6 coats. it was not enough. in 4 months I have already had to put on another coat and because I did not get all the grooves out of the teak I have to now resand and revarnish the hatch boards and slide hatch sides. so it is up to you what kind of look you want. I like the varnish look but it is alot of work to keep it up if it is not covered. I just bought handrail covers because of all the masking and angles you have on the railing. It was a good deal to buy those covers from this site and they did a good job and they fit well. Good luck and happy sailing! <John
Archive? Why didn't I notice that before.
Heh, was wondering why so few things came up when I searched on this forum. I'll go look through the archive and come back if I have any more specific questions.
Heh, was wondering why so few things came up when I searched on this forum. I'll go look through the archive and come back if I have any more specific questions.
I use cetol
I bought a 77 Cat 30 two years ago. (Great boat).The teak had been varnished. The varnish was going bad and so I stripped it by sanding. I tried teak oil and other remedies. They didnt last very long before it was time to redo it again. Then I noted that others in the marina had good looking teak and it lasted. I found out they use CETOL. Now 18 months later I have only had to touch up some teak and the cetol lasts almost the whole season. Once you remove the varnish( a tedious job) I would recommend using CETOL. A caution however. Read the lable and observe the warnings as to personal protection. I dont use the product in the cabin because I am worried about breathing in the product as it outgases. Good luck with your project.
I bought a 77 Cat 30 two years ago. (Great boat).The teak had been varnished. The varnish was going bad and so I stripped it by sanding. I tried teak oil and other remedies. They didnt last very long before it was time to redo it again. Then I noted that others in the marina had good looking teak and it lasted. I found out they use CETOL. Now 18 months later I have only had to touch up some teak and the cetol lasts almost the whole season. Once you remove the varnish( a tedious job) I would recommend using CETOL. A caution however. Read the lable and observe the warnings as to personal protection. I dont use the product in the cabin because I am worried about breathing in the product as it outgases. Good luck with your project.
I vote for Cetol
On outside teak, I think oil is a waste of time. Get the old varnish off and use Cetol. If it's spar varnish, a heat gun can help. Cetol won't crack and lift like varnish. If you want the varnish look, finish up with a couple of coats of Cetol High Gloss. Definitely read the directions. Good luck.
On outside teak, I think oil is a waste of time. Get the old varnish off and use Cetol. If it's spar varnish, a heat gun can help. Cetol won't crack and lift like varnish. If you want the varnish look, finish up with a couple of coats of Cetol High Gloss. Definitely read the directions. Good luck.
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