Semco teak sealer for teak decks

[johnnyboy]

I have been researching how to treat the teak deck in the cockpit and the teak inlaid seats on our 42ds. The teak is new and unfinished. I am trying to decide between letting it go natural and using a product called Semco Teak Sealer. it got a good write up in Practical Sailor magazine. Since it is a sealer it does not last long, It will need to be re coated 2x year, but is should preserve the nice color of the teak. it appears that it does not build up and need to be sanded between coats.

does anyone have any experience with this product and their likes or dislikes?

[flippercarson]

I used Semco on my boat last year. Generally I am pleased with the product. Initially I went with the clear product, but would recommend one of the darker one's (honeytone or darker) as the clear product without pigment is not nearly as long lasting.

It creates a nice look, but I suspect to keep it in top shape, you will still have to do some teak maintenance with sanding or stripping every couple of years.

Hope it helps.

[Deleted]

I've used Semco for three years now and am very happy with the product. You do indeed need to reapply at least 2xs a year or essentially whenever water doesn't bead up on the teak. I've haven't seen a need to sand or do anything between biannual applications. The only time I've needed to sand or re-strip is when I let it go too long between applications and wood goes back to grey. The only tip I can pass on is to make sure there's a day or two of dry weather when you apply as it doesn't like rain before it cures.

[Phantom]

We use two coats of Semco for our 39i-P's teak deck, swim platform, seats, and cockpit floors. Our color of choice is 50% natural and 50% goldtone = honeytone and use one quart of each for two coats applied with a sponge brush. When the water no longer beads, another coat is applied. The teak always looks fresh and sharp. Great product.

[so40gtb]

I'm entering my fourth season with Semco teak sealer on the cockpit and stern inlay teak on my SO34.2. My routine has evolved into:
a) April: Scrub thoroughly with a soft brush and Murphy's Oil Soap. After at least 24 hours of good drying, apply two coats of Semco Natural. Launch boat.
b) June/July: Scrub lightly with Murphy's. After the teak is dry, apply one coat of Semco Natural. If water doesn't bead well the next day, apply another after the surface has fully dried.
c) September: Same as June/July. This coat is intended to offer a modest degree of protection over the winter (under a canvas cover), with our sailing season ending in late October.

Application is quick and easy, so the repetitive coating is not painful. The look is great and puts all those Jeanneaus with excessive dealer-applied Cetol to shame! Be sure to wipe the excess and take care to quickly wipe off all spillage onto the gelcoat as the sealant is applied. Acetone seems to dissolve it when you don't catch the streaks on the gelcoat soon enough, but avoid that if possible.

--Karl

[johnnyboy]

sounds like this is a good product to use. I also have a teak rub rail and toe rail. Any suggestions for that? i was thinking of using cetol on the toe rail (and teak cockpit table) but not sure about the rub rail. If I bump at the marina, or should I say when I bump at the marina, it will get chipped and need repair?
go natural?
Trying to recoat the rubrail with semco 2x a season will be tough as I'd have to use a dink for some of it.

[Don Reaves]

I'm in the process of removing the Cetol on my rub rail with the intention of going natural. Once it weathers, it will match the aluminum extrusion it's mounted in.