So is there anything new for exterior teak?

[alctel]

Looking back through old threads from years ago and it seems that the options are still either vanish, cetol or let go grey.

Is there any new stuff out there that looks as good as vanish but lasts longer? Or am I resigned to years of scraping?

[Franziska]

Semco or Deksolje #1 should be part of that list too...

[Manateeman]

Paint. Looks like you are at least trying to keep the wood from splitting or rotting.
A well painted fish boat looks better than a yacht with all the varnish peeling.
Read this in a book. Maybe on wood boats. Maybe Giffy Full?
Mark

[JPA Cate]

First, remove the old stuff, varnish, cetol, whatever. Then apply two coats of varnish. Now, sand and paint it grey like the color of weathered teak. The paint will last longer than 12 coats of varnish, and can be touched up, but going back to varnish is possible, because the varnish coats have sealed the timber, and the paint will come off clean with a heat gun, with no seepage into the grain of the teak. It is a user-kindly strategy for going to the tropics, and saves you heaps of work. In the long run. Other colors I've seen used have been a kind of golden teak color and a deep maroon. I was surprised how good the maroon looked, but I personally prefer the grey. It can, of course be whatever color you want, even reflective paint so it really shines when the sun or a spotlight strikes it. Makes you really show up in an anchorage.

Ann

[Bowdrie]

Originally Posted by alctel

Or am I resigned to years of scraping?

Yes, you are.
Proper varnish is the mark of a true yachtsman, all else is but heresy, (except bare and salt water scrubbed).
Cetol is a Faustian bargain, looks sweet in the beginning only to reveal its true bitterness over time.

Originally Posted by Manateeman

Giffy Full?
Mark

Ah yes, I know now that you are familiar with someone who was the "Real Deal", one who knew what he was about, and a thing or three about boats.

[thesaltytar]

I like the varnish and covering paint combination. I don't like Cetol at all. The color never looks right to me.

As for products I recommend Awlwood MA. It's a two stage single part system.. couple coats of primer/stain and topcoat with satin or gloss clear coats.

Easy to apply, it likes humidity, so no need to wait for dry days. Easy to maintain. Lasts longer than varnish. In a side by side, coat for coat, I believe it looks better than varnish. I still use the real stuff down below because I prefer the smell.

You could always go real old school and mix some linseed oil, varnish, and pine tar. THAT is the way. Turns wood black eventually but smells great and is the easiest to maintain. People get tar on their hands and feet. Builds character.