Cetol refinishing

[mstern]

Well, I got lazy over the past few years, and my cetol-finished teak is looking a little worse for the wear. There are places on the teak where it is definitely thin, and places where the cetol has worn off completely. Do I have to strip the remaining cetol off completely and start fresh? If so, how?

[LarryandSusanMacDonald]

Best to strip it off completely, if you want it to look not blotchy. Though, if it can be sanded smooth and what remains looks fairly light, three coats should even it out. You can usually tell a little what it's going to look like without committing by wiping down with alcohol and look at it while it's wet.

If it needs to be stripped, and it's really thin, then 120 sandpaper can do it. Run it by hand with the grain unless you have some with really wide areas (like steps and drop boards), then you can use a D.A. (dual action) sander. Start with 120, then 150. Then hand sand the final scratches with 180. (The little swirl marks made by the DA won't show until you lay down some cetol)

Did you know that there is a new cetol color, called cetol teak? I think it looks better than the cetol or cetol light.

When you're applying the stuff, of course, always tape out (I like the 3m blue because it comes off easier) and have some rags and mineral spirits handy to wipe up any spills or spatters immediatly. Cetol is a bear to get off gelcoat - especially older porous gelcoat.

Check out this thread: http://www.sailnet.com/forums/gear-m...y-bubbles.html

[mstern]

Thanks! I'll give it a try.

[labatt]

Lots of alternatives to Cetol these days... Practical Sailor did a review a few months back. We ended up going with West Marine WoodPro Plus. It has a 4 hour drying time (compared to Cetol's 24-hour) and looks more like a varnish finish, which is interesting since it's made by Epifanes. It went on great and I'm looking forward to seeing how it holds up for the season.

[lbdavis]

Originally Posted by labatt

Lots of alternatives to Cetol these days... Practical Sailor did a review a few months back. We ended up going with West Marine WoodPro Plus. It has a 4 hour drying time (compared to Cetol's 24-hour) and looks more like a varnish finish, which is interesting since it's made by Epifanes. It went on great and I'm looking forward to seeing how it holds up for the season.

Labatt,

Can you tell us a little more about what PS said about the WM WoodPro Plus and your own experience. I'm getting ready treat a bunch of prepped wood and I am still deciding what to use. I think the cetol v varnish debate has been done ad nauseam, but I'd love to hear pros and cons of woodpro.

Sorry for the hijack.

LB

[artbyjody]

Originally Posted by lbdavis

Labatt,

Can you tell us a little more about what PS said about the WM WoodPro Plus and your own experience. I'm getting ready treat a bunch of prepped wood and I am still deciding what to use. I think the cetol v varnish debate has been done ad nauseam, but I'd love to hear pros and cons of woodpro.

Sorry for the hijack.

LB

Here is I believe that article in full context:

PRACTICAL SAILOR ARTICLE ABOUT TEAQUA TEAK OIL TEAK TREATMENT TEAK SEALER FROM TEAQUA.COM

[labatt]

Yep - that's the article. I wonder if PS knows the article is there! We picked WoodPro Plus due to the price, the look/feel of the finish and the dry time. It seemed to have the best combination of these for us. It dries hard and has a high gloss hard finish rich look to it - very similar to true varnish. Contrary to the "Good" rating for application in the article, it went on very easy for us. I've been told there MAY be an issue with chafing. We tie our fenders to our hand rails to store them underway, so we'll find out real quick this summer! I'll keep everyone updated.

[lbdavis]

Originally Posted by artbyjody

Here is I believe that article in full context:

PRACTICAL SAILOR ARTICLE ABOUT TEAQUA TEAK OIL TEAK TREATMENT TEAK SEALER FROM TEAQUA.COM

Sweet! Thanks, Jody.

I bet they don't know it's up there, Labatt. I better read it quick!