I have a Hunter 310 and need to refinish the teak slots on the transom seats. I would like to paint them with epoxy but need to know if there's any additive that will protect it from UV rays. I prefer to do this once rather than make it an annual paint requirement so any help will be appreciated. Once I figure out the best product for refinishing, I will remove them and refinish them out of the seats to prevent making a mess. Thanks in advance. S/V Calaloo
Transom Seat Refinishing
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Teak Refinishing
As long as you have UV exposure you will have some deterioration. I doubt if epoxy will be the "once and for all" treatment you desire. Cetol is popular here in the South. Apply 3 coats initially and one coat each year thereafter. Or, you might check Practical Sailor and look at their test results.
As long as you have UV exposure you will have some deterioration. I doubt if epoxy will be the "once and for all" treatment you desire. Cetol is popular here in the South. Apply 3 coats initially and one coat each year thereafter. Or, you might check Practical Sailor and look at their test results.
Another idea
Have seat covers made with Velcro straps so you can cover them just as you do the mainsail. Then you can varnish every 5 years or so. Looks much better, in my opinion.
Have seat covers made with Velcro straps so you can cover them just as you do the mainsail. Then you can varnish every 5 years or so. Looks much better, in my opinion.
Boatworks says no to epoxy
An article in this month's edition of Boatworks nixes epoxy for external applications (they say in outdoor conditions the underlying wood expands and contracts, sloughing off the hard coating over time). They recommend epoxy for indoors and varnish (such as cetol) for outdoor applications.
An article in this month's edition of Boatworks nixes epoxy for external applications (they say in outdoor conditions the underlying wood expands and contracts, sloughing off the hard coating over time). They recommend epoxy for indoors and varnish (such as cetol) for outdoor applications.
Teak
I agree with Hank...Cetol is the toughest stuff around. If the wood is properly prepared, three initial coats will last two years, even in the OK sun. Regular price is $30/qt, but you can usually find it for $20. Catalina has gotten smart, the later models have no exterior teak (except hatch boards) the hand rails are stainless steel.
I agree with Hank...Cetol is the toughest stuff around. If the wood is properly prepared, three initial coats will last two years, even in the OK sun. Regular price is $30/qt, but you can usually find it for $20. Catalina has gotten smart, the later models have no exterior teak (except hatch boards) the hand rails are stainless steel.
Cetol worked for us
When we acquired our H37.5 in 1995, one of the first things we did was do 2 coats of Cetol on all the teak (rails and seats). Ever since then on an annual basis, we've done a very light sanding and an additonal coat of cetol. It still looks great and we never have had to strip down to the wood or start over in 10 years. Those "slats" on the stern seats are the worst part of this maintenance since there's no easy way to mask off the plastic inbetween them, and you can easily make a mess, as you surmise. The only true solution is not have the teak slats at all, just have bare "starboard" plastic material, which requires no maintenance, and is just as comfortable to sit on as teak slats. The first year, I unscrewed each of the slats and coated them separately before refastening. Subsequent years, just was real careful with the brush while the slats were still installed.
When we acquired our H37.5 in 1995, one of the first things we did was do 2 coats of Cetol on all the teak (rails and seats). Ever since then on an annual basis, we've done a very light sanding and an additonal coat of cetol. It still looks great and we never have had to strip down to the wood or start over in 10 years. Those "slats" on the stern seats are the worst part of this maintenance since there's no easy way to mask off the plastic inbetween them, and you can easily make a mess, as you surmise. The only true solution is not have the teak slats at all, just have bare "starboard" plastic material, which requires no maintenance, and is just as comfortable to sit on as teak slats. The first year, I unscrewed each of the slats and coated them separately before refastening. Subsequent years, just was real careful with the brush while the slats were still installed.
Transom Seats
Thanks to all who took the time to make recommendations. I think I will go with Cetol. S/V Calaloo
Thanks to all who took the time to make recommendations. I think I will go with Cetol. S/V Calaloo
Aonther solution
Do what I did. Take the seats off, go buy enough starboard to cut new seats from starboard, toss the old ones including the teak, and buy the seat cushions from this site. Lots less maintenance. The only outside piece of teak on my 410 is the bar on the companionway slider, and that's under the dodger out of the sun. Go sailing instead of varnishing!
Do what I did. Take the seats off, go buy enough starboard to cut new seats from starboard, toss the old ones including the teak, and buy the seat cushions from this site. Lots less maintenance. The only outside piece of teak on my 410 is the bar on the companionway slider, and that's under the dodger out of the sun. Go sailing instead of varnishing!
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