Teak. Varnish or oil?

El Capitan

Well-Known Member
Jul 9, 2014
3,828
Chicago IL./Vero Beach, Fl
Boat Info
1970 SRV 180 w 2.5L Mercruiser.
2000 Ford Expedition Eddie Bauer
Engines
120HP Mercruiser
Getting ready to redo teak bannisters and platform and I’ve seen how beautiful it looks with varnish. There are some new products far more durable with ultraviolet light protection than ole varnish that lasts much much longer.

Or do you guys just sand, clean, and oil?
 
Have you researched the ingredients of these “new” varnishes? Do you know what is in them and what the short and long-term side effects are for your teak? I understand there could possibly be magnetic properties in them, as well as microscopic tracking particles in them. Just follow the money and carefully research when deciding to utilize this new product...
 
My teak cockpit deck gets sanded every 5 years, and monthly cleaning/brushing across the grain using
Bar Keepers Friend, which is mild oxalic acid. No oils to track in the cabin and no varnish to fade/redo...
 
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I'm gonna date myself, but on the teak swim platform, after it was stripped, sanded, and used bronze wool as the last step, I'd heat plain old transmission fluid and apply it with a brush. That's probably illegal now.
 
I use Minwax Teak Oil
https://www.lowes.com/pd/Minwax-Teak-Oil-Clear-Teak-Oil-Actual-Net-Contents-32-fl-oz/999913945

I do it once a season on the areas not in the sun all the time and 2x for those that are in the sun:
IMG_20210504_210918_01.jpg


Love the look but it is a bit of a pain.... I can do my lower cockpit area from start to finish, including taping and cleaning up in just about an hour
 
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We sanded and used Epifanes on our 390EC. Lasted a fair amount of time. I would scuff with brass wool and put another coat every 4 or 5 months.
 
Look at Awlwood. I had that on my external teak. After 2 years it was literally flawless - zero degradation.

The formulation has more flex than traditional varnish so it’s more likely to bend / dent when struck. Varnish is more brittle so will crack or chip.
 
Have you researched the ingredients of these “new” varnishes? Do you know what is in them and what the short and long-term side effects are for your teak? I understand there could possibly be magnetic properties in them, as well as microscopic tracking particles in them. Just follow the money and carefully research when deciding to utilize this new product...
...always one in every crowd...
derailed-zps7021e6af.jpg
 
I have a teak swim platform that gets sun and water constantly. It had been varnished but that failed in the weather. I stripped and sanded it and now use Sea Brite teak oil 3 times a year. Very quick and easy to apply, looks rich and good footing, too.
 
I have a teak swim platform that gets sun and water constantly. It had been varnished but that failed in the weather. I stripped and sanded it and now use Sea Brite teak oil 3 times a year. Very quick and easy to apply, looks rich and good footing, too.
I’d agree that anything underfoot should be oiled or left natural. Varnish is too slick when wet.
 
I’d agree that anything underfoot should be oiled or left natural. Varnish is too slick when wet.

Agreed, but if you must oil stop over paying for teak oil, which is the biggest rip off in the coating industry.

Make your own (and better) by mixing one part boiled linseed oil, one part polyurethane varnish and one part mineral spirits.

For the price of a quart of teak oil you'll make a gallon or more.
 
I use Minwax Teak Oil
https://www.lowes.com/pd/Minwax-Teak-Oil-Clear-Teak-Oil-Actual-Net-Contents-32-fl-oz/999913945

I do it once a season on the areas not in the sun all the time and 2x for those that are in the sun:
View attachment 110361

Love the look but it is a bit of a pain.... I can do my lower cockpit area from start to finish, including taping and cleaning up in just about an hour
Shaps - we have a teak cockpit and swim platform. I like how you tape it off, good idea. What do you use to clean, and or brighten, before you put the oil on?
 
E7D193AF-0B2F-40D1-AAA1-F462EB581161.jpeg

Mat finish polyurethane is very durable and not slippery to walk on. Only care requirement is to wipe it down with a damp cloth when it gets dusty or something is spilled.
 
View attachment 113658
Mat finish polyurethane is very durable and not slippery to walk on. Only care requirement is to wipe it down with a damp cloth when it gets dusty or something is spilled.
That looks great! Would it work for exterior applications? Cockpit and swim platform?
 
That looks great! Would it work for exterior applications? Cockpit and swim platform?
I’m not sure how this particular finish would hold up on a swim platform. Tiara is trending back to the use of teak on the exteriors of some models. They use a polyurethane of some type but I’m not sure what the composition is for that application. Our interior finish held up for 16 years and never looked any different than new boats with the same finishes. All we did for maintenance was wiping it down with a damp cloth when it needed dusting.
BA04EF2A-6A45-49EF-BCF1-CEA617A27FBE.jpeg
 
In the factory they use two part, catalyzed finishes that are not available for retail. Very durable stuff.
 

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