Varnish on Teak?

J

Jeff2012

Petty Officer 3rd Class
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Jan 24, 2003
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I put a few coats of varnish on my teak. The last coat I put on was really thick. Now it seems the outer skin of the varnish is dry but the under varnish is not. Is there anyway to harden it? Or do I have to strip the whole thing off and start over?<br />Thanks.
 
JB

JB

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Re: Varnish on Teak?

I would get rid of it altogether, Jef. Teak is too oily for almost any varnish.<br /><br />See the thread on teak refinishing below (or above, depending on replies).
 
O

Ouan

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Oct 25, 2004
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Re: Varnish on Teak?

Other than using teak oil, fellers around here use Cetol. I don,t care for the yellow effect, but it seems to hold up. The newer marine Cetol may be formulatd differently but guys have used the original stuff here with sucess.
 
C

crab bait

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Re: Varnish on Teak?

the only good way to 'virgin' varnish teak is a coat of epoxy first.. then scuff sand an ammonia wash.. then varish.. the epoxy gives a bond-able surface to start..
 
1

18rabbit

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Re: Varnish on Teak?

You do not varnish teak, you oil it as Ouan mentioned above. Varnish is for mahogany, etc.
 
S

santana21

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Aug 23, 2004
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Re: Varnish on Teak?

Teak is beatiful varnished!!!!!!!!!!!!<br /><br />I have a sailboat full of it, inside and out.<br /><br />Use whatever means you see fit to clean it.<br /><br />Sand smooth, at least 150 grit-220 grit paper<br /><br />WIPE WITH LAUQUER THINNER!!!! This gets rid of the surface oil and allows the first coat of varnish to penetrate.<br /><br />Thin a good marine varnish (I use Interlux Goldspar polyurethane exclusively) about 10% whith their thinner (216 becuase I apply with a brush) and coat.<br /><br />I use a foam brush that I throw away after each coat.<br /><br />on later coats go to about 2-5% thinner. I am never able to use the stuff out of the can and have a flawless finnish<br /><br />8-10 coats to have that awesome " deep" look<br /><br />Let cure for about 7 days<br /><br />Wet sand lightly with 1200 grit paper.<br /><br />Use a foam buffing wheel and buff with liquid rubbing compound medium grit.<br /><br />Looks like a million bucks
 
LubeDude

LubeDude

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Re: Varnish on Teak?

Originally posted by santana21:<br />Looks like a million bucks
Click to expand...
Yes, but it wont eventually as the oil starts to try and get out, look forward to cracking and peelling. Mostly on the weather exposed pieces.
 
flashback

flashback

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Re: Varnish on Teak?

I've had pretty good results putting epoxy on first as crab bait reccomends.. if it is out in the weather.. I remove the pieces from the boat( toe rails , grab rails etc..) and seal them on all sides with a couple coats of epoxy before starting the varnish.. and I agree it is beautiful... but eventually it will come off...
 
V

Vicente

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Re: Varnish on Teak?

It always amazes me when people say you shouldn't varnish teak. If that were true, I'd be out of a job-- I've been doing brightwork on mostly teak as a professional for eighteen years. Surely these people have seen some of the Hinckley sailboats and motor yachts around with their miles of varnished teak, just to name one of the most beautiful makes.

I've varnished teak on everything from a classic Concordia
yawl to a Catalina sloop.

EDIT. JB
 
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JB

JB

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Re: Varnish on Teak?

It always amazes me, Vicente, that some folks will dig up a three year old thread to put in their $.02 worth on.

I am of the "oil it or Cetol it" school. I got there from bad experience with varnished teak.

I am also of the school that know SPAM when we see it. Your link is deleted, read the rules.
 
V

Varnisher

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Re: Varnish on Teak?

I guess you don't see many Hinckleys in Ft. Worth, eh? Try to tell them you don't varnish teak.
 
Tail_Gunner

Tail_Gunner

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Re: Varnish on Teak?

I agree to a certain point with finishing a wood product, but that is a very subjective topic. I believe you wood be by far better off with Perfection made by Interlux.....it's a two part poly less work....better adhesion....and it's strength or abrasion quality's are far superior.

On this subject i have been trying to find a blond teak.....no luck at all. I am beginning to suspect the blond llok is achieved using chemicals anyone have any input???
 
JB

JB

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Re: Varnish on Teak?

Varnisher said:
I guess you don't see many Hinckleys in Ft. Worth, eh? Try to tell them you don't varnish teak.
Click to expand...

I have seen and been on thousands of great vessels with teak, smart alec. The best of them use oil, but that is not the point. The point is that you make your choices and do what you please.

There is no "only" way to do anything.
 
Plotus

Plotus

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Aug 15, 2010
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Re: Varnish on Teak?

18rabbit said:
You do not varnish teak, you oil it as Ouan mentioned above. Varnish is for mahogany, etc.
Click to expand...
Would Formby w/tung oil be the ticket?.....mine is virgin teak bits and trims...thanks.....Rich
 
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