Varnish or Polyurethane?

[NorCal Boater]

So Guys,

I have over 200 feet of teak rails that I have to refinish this winter. The question is should I use varnish or a product like Minwax Spar Polyurethane? I have never used varnish for small teak jobs but I have used urethane and it seemed to work well. But I want to make sure I am getting the best finish I can.

Don't forget....over 200'

Thanks,
Shawn

[kilroy]

Polyurethane is okay and certainly better than alkyd varnishes, but Spar or Marine-grade varnishes/polys are best for exterior use. I like Sikkens products. Sikkens Cetol Marine is a very good choice. I have a different Sikkens product on my redwood garage doors and they look great and stand up to weather better than most other products I've used.

[Bugsy24]

Hopefully Henry will Chime In he's a Master with the Wood!!

[Henry Boyd]

Sorry, been preparing for Frankenstorm. Changing topic slightly, I just bought a propane fired portable generator. Is that ok for the boat?

Back to serious stuff.
The big thing is preparation. I've used the Minwax for small things like cup holders and dash panels, but for stuff that is in direct sun I'd recommend a marine finish. For big stuff I use the Interlux Schooner Varnish. What ever you use, the big thing is to do many thin coats, allowing as much time as possible for out gassing of the VOC. If you have a the winter, then waiting 24 between coats (5-6) will work great.

I've also found cleaning with bleach and then a diluted dish detergent & water (I use Dawn because the wife buys it, but any brand would be fine) works to remove a lot of left over oil and dirt. For sanding unless it is really deteriorated start with a 120 grit as the coarsest. Where these ae all probably long grain pieces, using a block and hand sanding may be easier than trying to use a power sander (unless they are just flat boards). For flat boards a belt sander would be preferable.

Are you planning to remove the rails? If you do, I recommend getting a plug cutter to make the replacement bungs. It is way cheaper than buying pre-cut plugs, or teak Dowels by being end grain will give a contrasting color.

Henry

[rondds]

Shawn
I've been using this stuff on my teak for 9 years. Let me explain - when I bought the boat the teak was neglected and grey. I cleaned it first with the TeKa A and B stuff. I then applied 3 coats of the Sikkens Marine Gloss. Every other spring since, I use a 200 grit sandpaper to just scuff the surface and add an additional coat. It's been holding up very well.

http://www.westmarine.com/webapp/wcs...A#.UIsBrG_A-8A

[Woody]

Henry what size generator did you get?

[Mike Blake]

Marine Varnish have for years.

[NorCal Boater]

Thanks Guys,

I think I know which way to go. Ron, I tried Sikkens on the old Sea Ray and I guess I bought stuff that had some stain 'cause it turned everything yellow so I scrapped it and wen with something else. Can you tell me the exact Sikkens you have been using?

Henry, I do have a plug cutter and I do plan to take about 100' of rail off the boat and do the work in my garage. The other 100' is the toe rail and I am not removing it so it will get done on the boat. I am also planning to remove all of the stanchions and safety cable to refresh all. Lastly, I will be removing the 8" wide teak cap rail from the stern and bringing it home as well and then cleaning up the transom and doing some repairs and touch up.

My winter list is so long I can't see the end of it. But at least the boat stays in the water.

Thanks again.
Shawn

[rondds]

Shawn
Cetol Marine Satin. Forgot to mention I power-washed the teak first. Where my boat is slipped, the cockpit faces south, so I get sun all day, every day. I do NOT have a cover in place over my aft cockpit. This stuff is remarkable in its ability to stand up to UV and weather, with little to no maintenance, other than the bi-annual "touch up."

[25thmustang]

200' of rail on a 34'er, that must look nice. Is it original or added by a previous owner?

I used Smiths CPES epoxy for 3 coats, and then 8-10 coats of varnish (Epiphanes woodfinish gloss). Held up great for the first year.

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