[C38] Teak oil or varnish/urethane?

[Les]

On Wed, 2007-01-03 at 10:57 -0500, Duff, Russ (R.W.) wrote:
> I need to refinish all of my exterior wood; hand rails, hatch boards,
> hatch sliders, locker trim... and was wondering what everyone else has
> done.  Did you oil everything or use a varnish/urethane?  Oil some and
> varnish the rest?  Thanks. 
> 
> Sincerely,
> Russ Duff
> Catalina 38, Hull #112
> "AVANTURA"
Hi, Russ,
	Nancy does ours.  She has a book, "Brightwork the Art of Finishing
Wood" by Rebecca J. Wittman, she follows religiously, using Seafin teak
oil.  The process is basically heat the old varnish and scrape it off
(use sheets around the rails to prevent pollution).  Sand as required to
complete the scraping.  The apply some oil and wait for 20 mins then
wetsand a light coat of oil with 300 grit (use 3M wet paper) the stuff
will get thick and fill the grooves and so on to emphasize the color and
grain.  Wait until dry.  repeat with 400 grit, repeat with 800 grit, 1
thin coat of varnish (thin the varnish with 1/8 or so thinner) when dry,
coat full strength. repeat coating 5 times (6 total full coats).  Lasted
about 5 years this last time, would have lasted longer if we had
followed the book and light sanded each year and recoated.  There are
several details in the book that make the process so good.  Buy it,
follow it, revel in peoples comments on your wood.

	Do not sand the old varnish off.  You will invariably take too much off
the handrails and weaken them.  Do not use a power sander for the same
reason.  Good paper, changed frequently and used with blocks by hand
will go much quicker than you imagine.  Don't use "sandpaper", use the
dark colored wet sanding cloth.  It lasts longer, cuts better and
doesn't leave bad scratches.  You can use foam brushes, in fact, we
recommend them, but get the best grade you can of the disposable ones.
We get ours at San Diego Marine Exchange for about 1.25 each and just
pitch them after each coat.  If you do want to use a brush, get very
good ones with the frazzled ends on the bristles, keep them clean and
dust free, clean them religiously and only use them for varnish.
Varnish and paints don't mix. Use a tack cloth between coats. Keep the
tack cloth in its bag when not in use.

	Our experiences dictate these things.
Regards,
Les H