My Beneteau has a teak toerail. I usually just wash it with a 2 part and apply teak oil. It does not last more than 4 weeks so this season I was wondering if it should be varnished. Any info on a product called Bristol Finish? What is the best quality longest lasting varnish? Also, the point where the teak meets the deck, should it be caulked to keep the water from migrating into the wood? Thanks
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try Cetol Marine
Myself and many of my boating friends love Cetol! I have used it on my boats before and it lasts minmum 2-3 years and if you think it needs some "freshening up" just loghtly sand it and apply another coat. That simple! Ther is no massive, sweat producing sanding because of peeling varnish....
Myself and many of my boating friends love Cetol! I have used it on my boats before and it lasts minmum 2-3 years and if you think it needs some "freshening up" just loghtly sand it and apply another coat. That simple! Ther is no massive, sweat producing sanding because of peeling varnish....
check Practical Sailormag
Practical Sailor magazine's January issue had a complete report on a several-year-long tests of varnishes and oils. Bottom line, as I recall it: varnishes always last longer than oils, but there's no way to avoid the work. Hot climates speed up the time between coats. Cetol was in the middle of the pack, I think, but some folks (including me) do not care for the resulting color. It's worth a read if you can find a copy, or a copy of the story on a website
Practical Sailor magazine's January issue had a complete report on a several-year-long tests of varnishes and oils. Bottom line, as I recall it: varnishes always last longer than oils, but there's no way to avoid the work. Hot climates speed up the time between coats. Cetol was in the middle of the pack, I think, but some folks (including me) do not care for the resulting color. It's worth a read if you can find a copy, or a copy of the story on a website
Practical Sailor
The Practical Sailor test was a 2 year test as I remember and Cetol was the recommended matte finish with a comment re. a salmon colour. I use Cetol and am happy with it although it has a bit of an orangy colour. I think Epiphanes High Gloss was the best gloss varnish. The Bristol marine finish that was applied 2 years ago was failing after 6 months. The results after 2 years were not reported as it was being/had been? reformulated. It is worth getting a copy of the report as other brands were good and some that are readily available were not so good.
The Practical Sailor test was a 2 year test as I remember and Cetol was the recommended matte finish with a comment re. a salmon colour. I use Cetol and am happy with it although it has a bit of an orangy colour. I think Epiphanes High Gloss was the best gloss varnish. The Bristol marine finish that was applied 2 years ago was failing after 6 months. The results after 2 years were not reported as it was being/had been? reformulated. It is worth getting a copy of the report as other brands were good and some that are readily available were not so good.
Cetol
Cetol is by far the best...and it finished tops in the Practical Sailor test. The newer stuff does not change color as much as the old as it ages. Follow the directions and use three coats, it'll last at least two years.
Cetol is by far the best...and it finished tops in the Practical Sailor test. The newer stuff does not change color as much as the old as it ages. Follow the directions and use three coats, it'll last at least two years.
varnish !
yes cetol last a little longer but nothing can top the look of varnish. is what i do is steel wool and clean my varnish and apply a new coat every year or two and it looks great ! i have used bristol finish and it works good but you have to prep exactly as it says and its a little hard to work with ( i thinks thats why it gets a bad name )but it will last the longest provided its done right
yes cetol last a little longer but nothing can top the look of varnish. is what i do is steel wool and clean my varnish and apply a new coat every year or two and it looks great ! i have used bristol finish and it works good but you have to prep exactly as it says and its a little hard to work with ( i thinks thats why it gets a bad name )but it will last the longest provided its done right
Cetol
I agree with many who responded that Cetol seems to be the vest choice. We purchased a new Beneteau 423 ;ast year and had the dealer apply Cetol honey to the toe rail and then add ed two coats of Cetol gloss and it has held up great. We went down to check on our baot last week after a large snow, freezing rain, and sunshine and the toe rail looks great. We'll touch up areas of the toe rail due to dock lines and the pump out hose rubbing on the rail and that is all.
I agree with many who responded that Cetol seems to be the vest choice. We purchased a new Beneteau 423 ;ast year and had the dealer apply Cetol honey to the toe rail and then add ed two coats of Cetol gloss and it has held up great. We went down to check on our baot last week after a large snow, freezing rain, and sunshine and the toe rail looks great. We'll touch up areas of the toe rail due to dock lines and the pump out hose rubbing on the rail and that is all.
Anti Cetol
A post would not be complete without a dissenting point of view. I say forget Cetol. It's color is too orange and is not natural. I use Honey Teak. It is similar in application to Cetol, but has a much more natural look to it. I have used it for 3 years now, and am satisfied with the results on my boat which has a fair amount of teak topsides. The company gives excellent customer support and the color is much better than Cetol. Availability is not as easy as materials must be ordered direct from the factory. If I can do it, I have a phot of my boat w/Honey Teak.
A post would not be complete without a dissenting point of view. I say forget Cetol. It's color is too orange and is not natural. I use Honey Teak. It is similar in application to Cetol, but has a much more natural look to it. I have used it for 3 years now, and am satisfied with the results on my boat which has a fair amount of teak topsides. The company gives excellent customer support and the color is much better than Cetol. Availability is not as easy as materials must be ordered direct from the factory. If I can do it, I have a phot of my boat w/Honey Teak.
Anti Cetol
A post would not be complete without a dissenting point of view. I say forget Cetol. It's color is too orange and is not natural. I use Honey Teak. It is similar in application to Cetol, but has a much more natural look to it. I have used it for 3 years now, and am satisfied with the results on my boat which has a fair amount of teak topsides. The company gives excellent customer support and the color is much better than Cetol. Availability is not as easy as materials must be ordered direct from the factory.
A post would not be complete without a dissenting point of view. I say forget Cetol. It's color is too orange and is not natural. I use Honey Teak. It is similar in application to Cetol, but has a much more natural look to it. I have used it for 3 years now, and am satisfied with the results on my boat which has a fair amount of teak topsides. The company gives excellent customer support and the color is much better than Cetol. Availability is not as easy as materials must be ordered direct from the factory.
varnish toerails
Varnished toe rails, many coats. Every spring light sand with 220 paper, foam brush a topcoat. And every fall, sand w/220 grit sand paper and same thing. I'm not making any judgement, this is what I do. Spar varnish and sand paper- a three hour job, twice a year.
Varnished toe rails, many coats. Every spring light sand with 220 paper, foam brush a topcoat. And every fall, sand w/220 grit sand paper and same thing. I'm not making any judgement, this is what I do. Spar varnish and sand paper- a three hour job, twice a year.
Practical Sailor
PS reported on a two year study on teak treatments in the Feb 15, 2005 issue. Of the varnishes (Epifanes, Petit, West Skipper and Armada), Epifanes was the top pick. Of the synthetics (Armada, Bristo and Honey Teak), PS did not like any of them. Of the oil/pigmented stain (Deks Olje, Cetol and West Wood Pro), Cetol was the top pick. You can get a copy at: http://www.practical-sailor.com/
PS reported on a two year study on teak treatments in the Feb 15, 2005 issue. Of the varnishes (Epifanes, Petit, West Skipper and Armada), Epifanes was the top pick. Of the synthetics (Armada, Bristo and Honey Teak), PS did not like any of them. Of the oil/pigmented stain (Deks Olje, Cetol and West Wood Pro), Cetol was the top pick. You can get a copy at: http://www.practical-sailor.com/
Used 'em all
Bristol, Epiphanes and Cetol that is. Bristol - Currently have on my cockpit seats. Pros - I can get nearly two years down here on one set of coats. Cabn do 3-5 coats in a day! Cons - It's extremely hard and brittle. Will chip easily. Doesn't flex so it allows water to get under edges. I think it's the worst option for a toe rail which has a zillion feet of edges and will get beat on frequently. It's also tricky to work with and bubbles badly if temps and mixes aren't perfect. Cetol - Used it on our last boat. Pros - Very low maintenance. Lasts like Bristol but is much more forgiving. Might be a reasonable tradeoff for the toe rail if you went with the light and did a gloss coat, but only if... Cons - ...you can stand the color. I just can't do it on our current boat. Epiphanes - Now using on the handrails (after the Bristol failed so miserably.) Pros - relatively easy to work with, nice flow, great color. Cons - needs a few maintenance coats every 6 months or so. Although, now that I've had some practice with it I'm finding that I actually enjoy the process (probably breathing too many fumes.) The Beneteau is a nice boat but I am soooo glad I've got aluminum rails. I'll come by and admire yours when they're done.... ;-)
Bristol, Epiphanes and Cetol that is. Bristol - Currently have on my cockpit seats. Pros - I can get nearly two years down here on one set of coats. Cabn do 3-5 coats in a day! Cons - It's extremely hard and brittle. Will chip easily. Doesn't flex so it allows water to get under edges. I think it's the worst option for a toe rail which has a zillion feet of edges and will get beat on frequently. It's also tricky to work with and bubbles badly if temps and mixes aren't perfect. Cetol - Used it on our last boat. Pros - Very low maintenance. Lasts like Bristol but is much more forgiving. Might be a reasonable tradeoff for the toe rail if you went with the light and did a gloss coat, but only if... Cons - ...you can stand the color. I just can't do it on our current boat. Epiphanes - Now using on the handrails (after the Bristol failed so miserably.) Pros - relatively easy to work with, nice flow, great color. Cons - needs a few maintenance coats every 6 months or so. Although, now that I've had some practice with it I'm finding that I actually enjoy the process (probably breathing too many fumes.) The Beneteau is a nice boat but I am soooo glad I've got aluminum rails. I'll come by and admire yours when they're done.... ;-)
Cetol Gloss
I too would recommend Celtol, but don't just use the Marine. Put at least 3 coats of the Marine on first, then top coat with 3 coats of the Cetol Gloss. There is still some orange color to the wood that many folks hate, but the effect of the gloss is to bring out the highlights of the grain much as varnish does. My wood was treated with this combination and I got many compliments on it. Maintenance is just a light sanding and top coating with more gloss every year or two. Don't forget that a toerail takes a lot of abuse, and the benefit of Cetol is that is doesn't seem to lift off if you get a chip in one part of the finish.
I too would recommend Celtol, but don't just use the Marine. Put at least 3 coats of the Marine on first, then top coat with 3 coats of the Cetol Gloss. There is still some orange color to the wood that many folks hate, but the effect of the gloss is to bring out the highlights of the grain much as varnish does. My wood was treated with this combination and I got many compliments on it. Maintenance is just a light sanding and top coating with more gloss every year or two. Don't forget that a toerail takes a lot of abuse, and the benefit of Cetol is that is doesn't seem to lift off if you get a chip in one part of the finish.
Echoing Steve
While I wish I had a beautiful Beneteau, you'll wish you have Cetol on your brightwork as I do on my boat;D Adding the Cetol Gloss after the Cetol Marine, lightens the look of the Marine, and put a beautiful rich finish on your teak. You will spend less time working on your wood and more time sailing when you're done. Did I mention the great comments you will receive about the look of your boat? Why, because your brightwork looks sooo good!
While I wish I had a beautiful Beneteau, you'll wish you have Cetol on your brightwork as I do on my boat;D Adding the Cetol Gloss after the Cetol Marine, lightens the look of the Marine, and put a beautiful rich finish on your teak. You will spend less time working on your wood and more time sailing when you're done. Did I mention the great comments you will receive about the look of your boat? Why, because your brightwork looks sooo good!
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