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Author Topic:   Teak care - Oil or Varnish?

whaleryo posted 07-01-2002 12:27 PM ET (US)
I checked back over the last 2 years and couldn't find a definative statement on this. Is there a consensus on treatment of teak? I just bought a 1984 Montauk and the teak is very clean but has not been treated. What is the best treatment in terms of beauty and (low) maintenance?
Incidently, the boat is in the northeast, will be trailered, and won't spend too much time in the sun when not in use.
Bill
ratherwhalering posted 07-01-2002 01:21 PM ET (US)
I don't think you will find one answer to this question. As in past posts, everyone has an opinion. I prefer the slick look of varnish, but I spent at least 50 hours sanding and applying additional coats. I lack the my earlier gusto to tackle that project again. Next whaler, I will use the 3 part oil system (cleaner, brightener, and oil) and simply maintain the wood 2-3 times a year. This also looks good, and can be done in just a few hours.
John W posted 07-01-2002 01:45 PM ET (US)
The lowest maintenance method are products like Cetol, but I personally don't like the looks of them at all.
The choice between oil & varnish on teak is a personal one. Varnish is alot more work initially, but if it's kept out of the sun it'll be less frequent ongoing maintenance. Oil is easier, but needs doing every couple of months to really look good. Plus teak gets dirty when oiled & requires periodic cleaning & sanding. If the boat is kept in the sun, varnish can be a real pain, but if it's stored in the shade I prefer the look of varnish over oiled teak.
Bigshot posted 07-01-2002 03:01 PM ET (US)
PermaTeak.....best of both worlds. try it!
OutrageMan posted 07-01-2002 03:10 PM ET (US)
Hey Bigshot...we agree!!!
I had completely forgotten about perma-teak. I have used it and loved it. After cleaning some very abused teak and putting on 2 coats of the stuff, the boat went back into its neglected state, but the teak looked very good after 3 years.
Brian
rubadub555 posted 07-01-2002 05:32 PM ET (US)
I sanded and oiled my bow hatchcover for safer footing, but varnished, sanded and revarnished the console doors with Interlux Schooner Varnish; threads galore on this topic can be located in the forum.
grandmufti posted 07-01-2002 11:58 PM ET (US)
I have used permateak in the past but have not been able to find it again.I have been told it has been discontinued.Where are you buying it Bigshot?
compounder posted 07-02-2002 09:07 AM ET (US)
If you decide to go with varnish I highly recommend the Epifanes brand. Great stuff!
Bigshot posted 07-02-2002 10:21 AM ET (US)
I have not bought it in about 2 years.....mine still looks that good:) I bought the clear gloss. Looks like freshly cleaned teak, almost like whitewash...I love the look!
Tom W Clark posted 07-02-2002 12:15 PM ET (US)
whaleryo,
Definitive statement?! No there never will be but there has been a ton of debate on this issue even in the last few months here on the FORUM.
As I have said many times before, if you want the look of oiled teak, use Daly's SeaFin Teak Oil. It is the best product I have ever used.
whaleryo posted 07-03-2002 06:10 PM ET (US)
Tom,
With your extensive knowledge and experience, your opinion is the only concensus I need. Thanks for the info, I'll give Daly's SeaFin Teak Oil a try.
BTW, I did a Yahoo search on PermaTeak and came up with only two hits...two articles praising the product, but no sources.
Barry posted 07-05-2002 11:47 AM ET (US)
According to DIY Boat Owner's Teak 101 page http://www.diy-boat.com/Pages/Archives/links/teak.html , Perma Teak is a water-based acrylic coating. A similar product is Cape Ann's Teak Fix www.teakflex.com/cape_ann/products.htm .
lae posted 07-05-2002 11:59 PM ET (US)
Varnish? Epifanes. Oil? Sea Fin is it. Clean with soap and brush then one coat a year on the toerail of the Chris has looked great for 8 years.

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Author	Topic: Teak care - Oil or Varnish?
whaleryo	posted 07-01-2002 12:27 PM ET (US) I checked back over the last 2 years and couldn't find a definative statement on this. Is there a consensus on treatment of teak? I just bought a 1984 Montauk and the teak is very clean but has not been treated. What is the best treatment in terms of beauty and (low) maintenance? Incidently, the boat is in the northeast, will be trailered, and won't spend too much time in the sun when not in use. Bill
ratherwhalering	posted 07-01-2002 01:21 PM ET (US) I don't think you will find one answer to this question. As in past posts, everyone has an opinion. I prefer the slick look of varnish, but I spent at least 50 hours sanding and applying additional coats. I lack the my earlier gusto to tackle that project again. Next whaler, I will use the 3 part oil system (cleaner, brightener, and oil) and simply maintain the wood 2-3 times a year. This also looks good, and can be done in just a few hours.
John W	posted 07-01-2002 01:45 PM ET (US) The lowest maintenance method are products like Cetol, but I personally don't like the looks of them at all. The choice between oil & varnish on teak is a personal one. Varnish is alot more work initially, but if it's kept out of the sun it'll be less frequent ongoing maintenance. Oil is easier, but needs doing every couple of months to really look good. Plus teak gets dirty when oiled & requires periodic cleaning & sanding. If the boat is kept in the sun, varnish can be a real pain, but if it's stored in the shade I prefer the look of varnish over oiled teak.
Bigshot	posted 07-01-2002 03:01 PM ET (US) PermaTeak.....best of both worlds. try it!
OutrageMan	posted 07-01-2002 03:10 PM ET (US) Hey Bigshot...we agree!!! I had completely forgotten about perma-teak. I have used it and loved it. After cleaning some very abused teak and putting on 2 coats of the stuff, the boat went back into its neglected state, but the teak looked very good after 3 years. Brian
rubadub555	posted 07-01-2002 05:32 PM ET (US) I sanded and oiled my bow hatchcover for safer footing, but varnished, sanded and revarnished the console doors with Interlux Schooner Varnish; threads galore on this topic can be located in the forum.
grandmufti	posted 07-01-2002 11:58 PM ET (US) I have used permateak in the past but have not been able to find it again.I have been told it has been discontinued.Where are you buying it Bigshot?
compounder	posted 07-02-2002 09:07 AM ET (US) If you decide to go with varnish I highly recommend the Epifanes brand. Great stuff!
Bigshot	posted 07-02-2002 10:21 AM ET (US) I have not bought it in about 2 years.....mine still looks that good:) I bought the clear gloss. Looks like freshly cleaned teak, almost like whitewash...I love the look!
Tom W Clark	posted 07-02-2002 12:15 PM ET (US) whaleryo, Definitive statement?! No there never will be but there has been a ton of debate on this issue even in the last few months here on the FORUM. As I have said many times before, if you want the look of oiled teak, use Daly's SeaFin Teak Oil. It is the best product I have ever used.
whaleryo	posted 07-03-2002 06:10 PM ET (US) Tom, With your extensive knowledge and experience, your opinion is the only concensus I need. Thanks for the info, I'll give Daly's SeaFin Teak Oil a try. BTW, I did a Yahoo search on PermaTeak and came up with only two hits...two articles praising the product, but no sources.
Barry	posted 07-05-2002 11:47 AM ET (US) According to DIY Boat Owner's Teak 101 page http://www.diy-boat.com/Pages/Archives/links/teak.html , Perma Teak is a water-based acrylic coating. A similar product is Cape Ann's Teak Fix www.teakflex.com/cape_ann/products.htm .
lae	posted 07-05-2002 11:59 PM ET (US) Varnish? Epifanes. Oil? Sea Fin is it. Clean with soap and brush then one coat a year on the toerail of the Chris has looked great for 8 years.