Epoxy or polyurethane tiller?

[lapworth]

I have a wood tiller and the urethane coat is wearing away. Should I use a urethane or could I coat it with a epoxy and hardener?

[sailingdog]

Even if you epoxy coated it, you'd have to put varnish or some other finish over the epoxy to protect it from UV damage. BTW, most tillers are VARNISHED, not POLYURETHANED, since most polyurethane clear finishes aren't very UV tolerant AFAIK.

[souljour2000]

Sailing Dog pretty much nailed it... epoxy undercoats are a good idea as long as you varnish or cetol the outer few coats to get your UV protection because epoxy alone is not UV compatible and quite susceptible to peeling and drying if left unprotected..

So I'd go a couple coats of thin epoxy, then a couple more coats of a thicker epoxy and then at least 4-5 coats of your choice of the above (varnish or cetol)for the outer UV protection

[poopdeckpappy]

Yeah, I'd go with 3 coats cetol natural teak with 2 coats of cetol gloss, good wear and great UV protection........ or varnish

What ever you use, you could do a wrap of either leather or cordage to help reduce wear and hand oils damaging the finish

[lapworth]

So are you all telling me that these out door urethanes with uv protection are no good?

[SJ34]

I like poly on the areas of the boat that get a lot of abuse but it doesn't like UV exposure and you will have to recoat every couple of months to keep it looking nice. Urethane will also get very dark over time. It is very hard and not very fun to remove if you decide to.

Epoxy will yellow even with a varnish top coat.

[sailingdog]

Most of the urethanes aren't really designed for the type of abuse they get on a boat. First, the UV levels on most boats is higher than on terrestrial uses, since there is a lot of reflected UV off the water and such. Water reflects about 50% of the UV light hitting it. Even the ones with UV protectant additives aren't very durable when it comes to marine use. Then there is the physical abuse that marine woodwork often gets subjected to—nicks, scrapes, impact, constant handling—all of which can break the surface coating and allow moisture to get beneath the finish. Then there is the weather that marine woodwork is subjected to, which is often harsher than what you'd see on land. Marinas are often more exposed to the weather than residential areas are.

Originally Posted by lapworth

So are you all telling me that these out door urethanes with uv protection are no good?

[garyguss]

I don't like urethanes either, peels and is a major pain to get it off, Cetol is a better option, easier to renew. Probably wouldn't hurt to put a tiller cover on it if you don't have one. Wrapped cordage on mine for a handle. I like it.

[CalebD]

Lapworth,
I've used Bristol Finish which is a 2 part urathane based coating on my hand rails on the coach roof. It looks nice but for the effort I'd consider just oiling it and giving it about 7 coats of a good varnish over the winter.
I used (Schooner) varnish on my teak tiller about 8 years ago and put about 7 coats on it and by now it has some dings and needs some refinishing work.
I also second Cetol natural teak for exterior wood as others have mentioned. UV protection is the key. Some folks make tiller covers for when not in use.

[Siamese]

Paint it.