Teak finishing

[franks200645so]

I'd appreciate ideas on teak toe rail finishes.

My 45SO currently has Cetol light with Cetol Gloss on my grab rails and toe rails and the finish is showing signs of lifting in just one year.
It seems that it will be a real refinishing workout annually. I'm already not looking forward to the job!
In lieu of Cetol products, has anyone used oil finishing on bare teak toe rails? How does it stand up in fresh water. Which brand do you recommend?
Alternate finish ideas welcome as well

Thanks

[notorious7004]

Although varnished toerails do look beautiful, as does all other prperly varnished brightwork, I have opted for a "au naturel" look on my Sun Legende´s teak cockpit sole and seats. After cleaning them once, I reguarly spray them with a 3:1 mix of water and clorox bleach. Beats sanding and looks good. Good Luck.

[franks200645so]

Notorious

Thanks for the idea.
I'll presume that the 3:1 clorox also reduces the blackening effect you get with bare unfinished teak - especially in our northern climates.
The southern climates - with high UV more than 6 months in a year - creates the bright grey we all wish we had with bare teak!
As this is a new boat, I had no choice with the toe rails - they came prefinished.
I however, refuse to cover my bare cockpit sole and seats with any finish. I'll try your suggested approach to see how it looks over the year.
I only wish I didn't have the stripping job on the toe rails. Oh well

Thanks again



Regards

[notorious7004]

It does; that "blackening" is actually a kind of fungi that the clorox mix effectively kills. As for the toerails, if your going to go though with it, I´d strip that Cetol and sand it then use Epifanes´varnish. 6 or 7 coats should make them right and then a light sanding and one coat every 6 months should keep them looking good. I´m just not up to sanding and varnishing anymore. Fair Winds!

[Geoff]

I had teak decks on my last boat. My new SO36i is only having the cockpit sole finished in teak. I have found that unless you like varnishing then NEVER varnish teak, it has a natural oil that will allways lift the varnish. I found the International paints teak restorer used with a nail brush with the grain cleaned them perfectly. I used this about twice a year and they come up as new.

Happy sailing....not varnishing.