Cetol Marine Wood Finish

[JAYEN1]

Has anyone used 'Cetol marine wood finish', (either satin or gloss) on external teak.

[the_alpine]

Yep. About 4 years ago. It's flaking off now.


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[cabo_sailor]

Yep a long time ago. I was put off by the orange tint. I'm told that has been corrected. The other problem I noted was that the finish was soft, i.e. was easily worn thru. Again I am told that some of the clear Cetol can be applied at the end to help protect the finish.

Personally, I prefer the look of high quality varnish. I'd be lieing if I didn't say it's a lot of work. You pays your money and takes your choice.

Rich


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[Cheechako]

There seem to be people that like it. I used it once, didnt mind the color so much as that evens out once you are 20 feet away, but I found it to be soft... not dock line durable.

[stevec195]

I find that if you use 3 coats teak and 3 or more coats of clear that the finish is nearly the same as varnish. It does however breath a little more than varnish. I'm always amazed how much crud I wipe off with a towel after I have washed the boat with deck soap.
It is soft in warmer climates, but I don't think it to be a detriment.


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[Orion Jim]

Follow the application directions and its good for several seasons in New England.

[malbert73]

I use it on my teak toerail. It's so easy to apply and maintain. 3 coats light. 2 gloss. 1 coat gloss per season for maintenance, which takes about 30 min to prep and apply. Since it is softer, it doesnt seem to trap moisture under it like varnish, so small defects don't cause whole surface to lift. It is much more susceptible to abrasion so you can't lead lines over it. Easy touch up spots. Doesnt look as nice as varnish but looks much nicer than other non-varnish options.

[roverhi]

Really don't llike the orange color but have learned to live with it. Varnished some of the wood on the boat and Cetol'd other pieces. Did not do the gloss coat. The Varnish began to breakdown in 6 months under our unrelenting sun in Kona. The cetol'd stuff is still there after 2 years though needs a repeat coat. In the tropics it's Cetol or paint.

Neighbor refinished his wood a while back. Thought he'd varnished it and complimented him on the appearance. Told me it was Cetol with the gloss dinish coat. Couldn't tell the difference between the Cetol gloss and varnish from 5'

[gonesail]

it is soft and can turn dark in the sun. looks good at first but i would go with good varnish instead.

[CSY Man]

Good varnish will last 1 year in South Florida and the Bahamas between maintenance coats.
I tried Bristol Finish for a few years, but never again.
Never tried Cetol, heard good and bad about it.
My next boat boat will have no external wood. Looks good, but too much work.

[Siberianhusky]

Don't like the orange colour and it is very soft, slowly been de-cetoling mine and going back to varnish. Wasn't my choice PO went with the Cetol.
Not much wood on mine, but the accents do look much nicer in varnish.
I've wonder if the softness is due to the thickness I seem to be removing. PO kept it in good shape, seems to be a couple layers a year for the last 10 years!
Mine is so thick in areas it is almost an opaque orange.

[bletso]

I have had really good luck with it. Easy to prep for re-coats. I only do three coats of teak for the cap rails and redo as needed.

[IdoraKeeper]

I have tons of brightwork. Have done side by side comparison of Cetol Marine Natural Teak and Epiphanes spar varnish...if top clear coat used, Cetol will go longer. How long depends on where it is applied on the boat. Larger surfaces do better, small fussy half round trim, no better than varnish.
If you don't enjoy brightwork just paint it or let it go.

[Robin3]

Chafe is chafe is chafe regardless of the finish, remove source of chafe or protect the wood from it and then apply Cetol exactly as per instructions for Cetol not instructions and old ways for varnish. If applying to teak, use a lighter shade rather than 'teak' colour and it will look and stay good. our rails were done 2 years ago in Florida sun and are still like just done. if a fender line rubs through a quick local rub down followed by a light coat of Cetol on top does the trick easily and nicely.

[Terra Nova]

It's ugly.