We are refinishing the teak on our new old boat. We removed it and brought it home to strip and varnish with Sikkens Cetol Marine Natural Teak. Don Casey's book says to thin varnish for the first few coats. But the can of Sikkens says not to thin it. Anybody use Sikkens and have good experience with thinning the first coats or not?
To thin or not to thin Sikkens Cetal Marine
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Not to thin
I have used Cetol and I did not thin it. I have been really happy with it as well. Rob Morton S/V Euphoria
I have used Cetol and I did not thin it. I have been really happy with it as well. Rob Morton S/V Euphoria
Cetol is NOT varnish.
Cetol is not a varnish so it has different characteristics than varnish. I have found that using the Cetol light for the first 2-3 coats works best and then finish with a clear coat of cetol. If you get on a maintenance schedule with cetol, you should not need to strip and redo your teak for several years.
Cetol is not a varnish so it has different characteristics than varnish. I have found that using the Cetol light for the first 2-3 coats works best and then finish with a clear coat of cetol. If you get on a maintenance schedule with cetol, you should not need to strip and redo your teak for several years.
No need
Been using Cetol straight from the can for years while I was moored in Oregon and now in south Florida, very pleased! Once a year go over the teak with a fine scotch pad to lighly smooth, and apply another thin coat, simple. s/v Ambition At Bay
Been using Cetol straight from the can for years while I was moored in Oregon and now in south Florida, very pleased! Once a year go over the teak with a fine scotch pad to lighly smooth, and apply another thin coat, simple. s/v Ambition At Bay
I get it!
The writing on cans of Man-o-war spar varnish says not to thin it, but that's precisely what the experts do regardless. So if we ignore the advice on spar varnish, why not ignor the advice on Cetol? (Am I the only one, by the way, who thinks Cetol is ugly?)
The writing on cans of Man-o-war spar varnish says not to thin it, but that's precisely what the experts do regardless. So if we ignore the advice on spar varnish, why not ignor the advice on Cetol? (Am I the only one, by the way, who thinks Cetol is ugly?)
John F... not the only one but.....
John: You are not the only one, but most sailors would prefer to sail rather than spend their time with varnish. If you look at Cetol Light & the clear together it is not that much different than a varnish job. The one major difference is that Cetol is a "mat" finish unless you use the gloss. There is also the advantage that you only need to lightly sand your Cetol every six months and recoat the surface with a single coat. No need to strip and redo it.
John: You are not the only one, but most sailors would prefer to sail rather than spend their time with varnish. If you look at Cetol Light & the clear together it is not that much different than a varnish job. The one major difference is that Cetol is a "mat" finish unless you use the gloss. There is also the advantage that you only need to lightly sand your Cetol every six months and recoat the surface with a single coat. No need to strip and redo it.
I do
I thin everything, it flows out better and has a better chance to not sag or run. I learned how to thin when I worked in a boat yard near Newport RI in the '70s. They did the most beautiful varnish jobs that you ever saw in you life. I use Captains Varnish and I always will. I get a full year out of a varnish job. I guess that I can't get used to the cheep plastic look of Citol. And I don't find that it last any longer than varnish.
I thin everything, it flows out better and has a better chance to not sag or run. I learned how to thin when I worked in a boat yard near Newport RI in the '70s. They did the most beautiful varnish jobs that you ever saw in you life. I use Captains Varnish and I always will. I get a full year out of a varnish job. I guess that I can't get used to the cheep plastic look of Citol. And I don't find that it last any longer than varnish.
Cetol...
should not normally be thinned but you MAY need to a bit if you are applying in high temperature and direct sunlight. We used 2 coats of Cetol followed by 2 coats of Cetol gloss for a very nice look. Touch up is with a scotch brite pad and more gloss. We never use more CETOL so the color never deepens...just gloss. Boat friends just did the new Natural Teak with gloss on top and it looks even better than ours.
should not normally be thinned but you MAY need to a bit if you are applying in high temperature and direct sunlight. We used 2 coats of Cetol followed by 2 coats of Cetol gloss for a very nice look. Touch up is with a scotch brite pad and more gloss. We never use more CETOL so the color never deepens...just gloss. Boat friends just did the new Natural Teak with gloss on top and it looks even better than ours.
John , you are not alone
YOu are not alone. Everyone has has a different eye for beauty. I think Cetol looks like paint. And It doesnt last any longer than a GOOD brand of varnish. Just as everyone doesnt have an eye for beauty, I dont have an ear for music. I dont hear any beter on a $300 audio set-up than a $3,000 set-up. Do I feel like I'm missing something in life because of it? Yup. but thats just the way it goes. Tony B
YOu are not alone. Everyone has has a different eye for beauty. I think Cetol looks like paint. And It doesnt last any longer than a GOOD brand of varnish. Just as everyone doesnt have an eye for beauty, I dont have an ear for music. I dont hear any beter on a $300 audio set-up than a $3,000 set-up. Do I feel like I'm missing something in life because of it? Yup. but thats just the way it goes. Tony B
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