Teak

[Bushwacker]

I've been trying to maintain the teak on my boat for over 30 years, and I've tried about everything. I've found that the 2-part cleaners are pretty harsh and actually destroy the soft part of the grain, so I usually just sand it w/ 60 grit before coating. The UV here in S. Fla. is very strong and raises hell with all coatings; teak oil seems to oxidize and turn dark in just a few months. I've found that it's actually less work to build up a good coat of varnish (at least 4-5 coats) and then every couple of years just scuff it with a red 3M pad and give it a couple of more coats. PowerBoat Reports did a 2-year test, I believe over in Sarasota, of 10 different coatings, both matte and gloss finish, in their 2/05 issue. They picked the Epifanes High Gloss as the best (most durable) gloss coating, and Cetol as best matte finish. In 11/03 they picked Honey Teak, as the best gloss. I've tried Deks Olje (both oil and oil + varnish), Honey Teak, and Epifanes, and I like the Epifanes best. In first shot below, I used Honey Teak on cabin door & steering wheel hub; it's heavily pigmented and a little darker than I like. The handrail & binocular box on port bulkhead are Epifanes. The cockpit sideboards in second shot were done with Epifanes, as was the mahogany trim piece in the last shot; gel coat was done with PolyGlow. The varnish had been on there about a year in first 2 shots. It was just done in last shot, but I try to keep a tarp or cover on the boat and that also helps all coatings last a lot longer.