Varnish (Cetol) - Gelcoat Interface

[Steve O]

Does anyone have a solution to the fact that varnish (or Cetol) always seems to fail at the area where the teak meets the gelcoat?

I know it is water getting under the finish but if you varnish to close to the gelcoat the finish discolours the gelcoat and keeping away gelcoat allows the water into the teak. I have thought of using a small bead of caulking (4200?) to bridge the gap but not sure. Your thoughts please

[minaret]

Originally Posted by Steve O

Does anyone have a solution to the fact that varnish (or Cetol) always seems to fail at the area where the teak meets the gelcoat?

I know it is water getting under the finish but if you varnish to close to the gelcoat the finish discolours the gelcoat and keeping away gelcoat allows the water into the teak. I have thought of using a small bead of caulking (4200?) to bridge the gap but not sure. Your thoughts please

It's called a "beauty bead". Use 4000 UV Black and it will match your deck seams and look nice, as well as holding up well in the sun.

[barnakiel]

You may try making a neat and extra narrow seam out of polyurethane sealant then paint this seam over with cetol.

Plain varnishes seem to stick fine to polyurethane caulking. Not quite this well to polysulfide though.

b.