Finishing a Cockpit Table

[rsolomon]

I have no quarrel with Capn Gary's suggestions; if done carefully, I have no doubt that it will produce the best looking finish possible. But, it's a lot of work. I've used almost every product on the teak of my two Valiants, and I'm back to being a Cetol Natural Teak fan. Two coats of this a year, plus a coat or two of the Cetol gloss for ths shiny look, if desired, is all it takes (after stripping and starting from new, of course). Dings and other areas which wear through to bare wood (like from an errant dock or other line rubbing...) can be fixed with two or more coats (after sanding and feathering the area to be refinished). The original Cetol had an ugly orange coloration, which I didn't like. But this new "natural teak" finish is just like varnish, but a lot easier.
My 2 cents (and you get what you paid for!).

Richard
Grebe, Valiant 40
Santa Barbara, CA

[T37Chef]

Welcome to Sailnet rsolomon.

Gary & Ed must be retired, or they would never do anything in their free time but bright work Ed that canoe is amazing looking, nice job! The grandson is a cute one too

To the OP, ahalfon,

These days I am using Cetol Natural followed by Cetol Gloss for all my teak...except the cockpit seats in which I am using Semco Teak Sealer.

I have used different products throughout the years, but I always seem to come back to Cetol, and the new "Natural" with "Gloss" is more than satisfactory for me and my time. Yes, the original Cetol is Fugly, especially after a few years maintenance coats. Now you would apply your annual maintenance coat using the gloss, therefore the old "orange" tinted ugliness is a thing if the past. I wouldn't be surprised if they stop making the original in a few years.

I decided to use/try Semco (Natural as well) on the cockpit seats so they would retain their non skid, and not grey or mold, I am hoping anyway. I cannot comment on how well the Semco product last because I just put it on today for the first time. But I was pleased with the look of it.

I will take some pictures tomorrow after it fully dries and post them here.

Teak care & maintenance comes with a lot of opinions as you can see in this thread. Just the other day I asked the local "teak guy" what he was using on the boat he was working on. He said, "Well the owner requested Cetol, not my favorite" ( I don't know what type of Cetol he was using). I asked, "So what do you use on your boat?" He responded, "Semco"

[T37Chef]

Here are some photos I took today, the glossy is Cetol natural and gloss, the other is Semco Natural.