marinetrader
Senior Member
- Joined
- Oct 6, 2007
- Messages
- 301
Some time back, we reviewed the current marine varnishes that are available.* Let's now talk about applying that varnish on your new trawler.
If you are a trawler traditionalist like me, a trawler is not a true boat unless there is some exterior bright work (varnished teak) on the boat. But the trend of today's builders is NO teak if at all possible. The contemporary consumer does not want to be troubled with such mundane chores.*
That's too bad as I often hear buyers tells me "if there is any teak to maintain forget it".. But I understand why, they just don't want to invest the time into it to keep it looking beautiful.* To me, the high gloss brightwork give a trawler character.
The key to maintaining bright work is to reapply the finish before it needs it, yes, before. Don't wait until it begins to crack or peel, you have waited too long. But for discussion sake, lets take for granted you are looking at an older trawler you are thinking of buying from me. The owner has let his bright work go and it needs revitalizing. Would it just be best to avoid that boat? No, not at all. Let me show you how to get it looking great.
The first matter we need to consider is whether we need to simply sand it down smooth or completely remove the old finish.
If we need to get the old varnish completely off we need to go to our preferred hardware store and get a heat gun and a 2-3 inch metal putty knife; look in the paint department. This method is far better and quicker than chemicals. Don't even consider of using a vibrating sander! Turn on your heat gun on full power and hold it about 4-5 inches from the surface; with some help from your putty knife the varnish will come off in sheets. Be cautious not to get too close or you will scorch the teak itself. When you have removed the varnish, sand with 120 and 220 sandpaper to get a smooth surface.
Ok, so what do we do if we do not need to take off all of the varnish?I did my yearly maintenance last weekend and here is the rundown. Just so you know, my trawler has 94 feet of teak handrail.
My choice of finish is Sikkens Cetol. It's a product made for teak by the manufactures of Awlgrip . You can look into it out at www.yachtpaint.com.
Shopping List
·Heat gun (if you are removing the old varnish)
·Sandpaper 120/220 grit
·7-day blue painters tape
·Mineral spirits
·Tack rags
·Soap
Step 1 - Clean the Teak
For starters, mix up some soapy water and wash the teak really good. Get the dirt and crud off. Wipe it down and let it dry. Next, very important here, moisten a cloth with mineral spirits and wipe the teak down again. The solvent will remove any silicon or wax that might lift your varnish later on If you sand with these on the wood, you will actually drive the products into the wood
Prep Time - 30 minutes
Step 2
OK, the teak is clean and we need to rough up the surface to assure we get good adhesion.
Next, tape up any adjacent metal to keep varnish away from those areas you do not need varnished. Use blue 7-day painter's tape; it will save you lots of cleaning time later on.
Prep Time - 2 hours
In our next article, well begin the application process.
If you are a trawler traditionalist like me, a trawler is not a true boat unless there is some exterior bright work (varnished teak) on the boat. But the trend of today's builders is NO teak if at all possible. The contemporary consumer does not want to be troubled with such mundane chores.*
That's too bad as I often hear buyers tells me "if there is any teak to maintain forget it".. But I understand why, they just don't want to invest the time into it to keep it looking beautiful.* To me, the high gloss brightwork give a trawler character.
The key to maintaining bright work is to reapply the finish before it needs it, yes, before. Don't wait until it begins to crack or peel, you have waited too long. But for discussion sake, lets take for granted you are looking at an older trawler you are thinking of buying from me. The owner has let his bright work go and it needs revitalizing. Would it just be best to avoid that boat? No, not at all. Let me show you how to get it looking great.
The first matter we need to consider is whether we need to simply sand it down smooth or completely remove the old finish.
If we need to get the old varnish completely off we need to go to our preferred hardware store and get a heat gun and a 2-3 inch metal putty knife; look in the paint department. This method is far better and quicker than chemicals. Don't even consider of using a vibrating sander! Turn on your heat gun on full power and hold it about 4-5 inches from the surface; with some help from your putty knife the varnish will come off in sheets. Be cautious not to get too close or you will scorch the teak itself. When you have removed the varnish, sand with 120 and 220 sandpaper to get a smooth surface.
Ok, so what do we do if we do not need to take off all of the varnish?I did my yearly maintenance last weekend and here is the rundown. Just so you know, my trawler has 94 feet of teak handrail.
My choice of finish is Sikkens Cetol. It's a product made for teak by the manufactures of Awlgrip . You can look into it out at www.yachtpaint.com.
Shopping List
·Heat gun (if you are removing the old varnish)
·Sandpaper 120/220 grit
·7-day blue painters tape
·Mineral spirits
·Tack rags
·Soap
Step 1 - Clean the Teak
For starters, mix up some soapy water and wash the teak really good. Get the dirt and crud off. Wipe it down and let it dry. Next, very important here, moisten a cloth with mineral spirits and wipe the teak down again. The solvent will remove any silicon or wax that might lift your varnish later on If you sand with these on the wood, you will actually drive the products into the wood
Prep Time - 30 minutes
Step 2
OK, the teak is clean and we need to rough up the surface to assure we get good adhesion.
Next, tape up any adjacent metal to keep varnish away from those areas you do not need varnished. Use blue 7-day painter's tape; it will save you lots of cleaning time later on.
Prep Time - 2 hours
In our next article, well begin the application process.