Teak Oil or Varnish

[Marc]

Hey guys I know it's been awhile.  I have some new wood that I want to put on my boat but want to treat it first.  It's honduran mahogany.  I also have phillippine mahogany and brazilian teak that I would like to make new again.  What is the best thing to use?  I have been on JD forum and their website but I trust you guys more.  have a great day and thank you in advance.  Marc

[Frank]

Kinda like the dreaded "anchor talk".....we're all different

Both Cetol and varnish most often need sanding to re apply. That's the hard part...

I'm currently using Semco Teak Sealant (kinda like Thompson's water seal)
Wood most be sanded, clean and dry the 1st time. Tape not needed (but go ahead if you're too messy) Simply wipe up drips right away as you go.
Apply 4-5 coats 1st time. Water beads well!
After that as it deteriorates, simply scrub, let dry, re apply...NO SANDING...NO TAPE!
I use the dark brown and think it looks rich.
After 9mths in sunny hot storage here, when I arrived I simply scrubbed really well, let dry and put 4 coats on. Still looking good 3mths later.
No...it does not look as good as varnish!
I think it looks way better than Cetol
But it is EASY and I'm lazy..... perfect "fit" for me
Your milage may vary   ;D

http://www.semcoteakproducts.com

[CharlieJ]

Good deal, except I have all Mahogany on Tehani


Speaking of Cetol- I have an unopened quart of original Cetol out in the shop I've been trying to give away for 5-6 yrs now- no takers:)

[Marc]

Thanks Frank, and I'll check out that link.  Charlie if noone has picked up the cetol yet that tells me something.  I'm up here in Iowa trying to get a boat ready for a voyage with limited resources.  what do you guys think of epiphanes?  There is a dealer up here that I can get that from.  It's gotta be a tough product sun all the time.  Thanks again Marc

[Godot]

I really like the Cetol. They have a formula which doesn't yellow as much. It looks good to me. I keep using the original stuff on the outside teak, just to keep things looking the same, which has a bit of a strange look; but that I find acceptable. I use the clear stuff on the mahogany hand rails I added which looks beautiful. Seems to last a long time; and so long as you reapply before the base coat starts pealing (hard to motivate to recoat something that looks fine, though), it's just a light scuffing.

Inside I'm all oil on the teak faced plywood and real teak. It would be easy to reapply; but being out of the direct sun for the most part, the oil seems to last years. The cheaper plywood I have in places have either a teak colored penetrating stain or paint on them, depending on how visible they are. There is a good chance the cheaper plywood I used in prototyping will get replaced and it will all end up oiled. Or not.

[CharlieJ]

I use Epiphanes a lot. Like it. But it's like any other down here on the Texas coast. Keep covered when not in use, or recoat about twice a year, maybe more

Edited to add- I also use, and am quite happy with Z-Spar 2015 Flagship