Varnish

[reash]

Hello.
What type of varnish would you recommend for exterior use?
I have teak covered with varnish, some of which is now lifting slightly.
However, I need to get after it soon!

[David M]

After spending umpteen years varnishing, trying all the different brands including one part and two part, and then getting tired of it and painting over the wood, it does not make a whole lot of difference. Just get a one part brand name marine grade varnish with a UV filter. You are still going to have to apply new coats of varnish twice a year in order to stay on top of it regardless of what you use.

[Christian Van H]

You might be interested in using CPES to saturate your wood before varnishing with a quality UV protected varnish. CPES™-Wood based epoxy products to repair and resist wood rot.

[CharlieCobra]

I wouldn't waste CPES on Teak as it has more than enough rot resistance. Teak is one of very few woods you can leave bare in a marine environment without issue.

[S&S]

CPES is okay but there's no build or grain filling with it. I recommend a coat of MAS non blushing epoxy followed by several coats of good old Epifanes. Scuff and overlay one coat/year and it'll stay.

As above, since teak won't rot, you really need a grain filler.

[Christian Van H]

Use of CPES in this case has nothing to do with rot. It's strictly used as a penetrating sealer with the idea of stopping moisture from getting under and lifting the varnish. Think of it as a primer...You can fill the grain with Epifanes...I use ONLY MAS on my boat, but it's not a penetrating epoxy, and this is oily teak we are talking about.

[S&S]

Originally Posted by Christian Van H

Use of CPES in this case has nothing to do with rot. It's strictly used as a penetrating sealer with the idea of stopping moisture from getting under and lifting the varnish. Think of it as a primer...You can fill the grain with Epifanes...I use ONLY MAS on my boat, but it's not a penetrating epoxy, and this is oily teak we are talking about.

For anything on teak, a good wipe with denatured alcohol is necessary. MAS or CPES will both work to seal out the moisture., But the Mas will serve as the scratch coat (grain fill) better than the Epifanes would.

[Highlander40]

The thing about varnish. When it starts lifting, it's too late.
To fix that, sand down the area and recoat many coats to equal nearby wood. Then sand everthing and put on one or two coats on everything.

[bobfnbw]

I am going with interlux perfection. Its a 2 part varnish. Looks great down below on my soles so I will go with it topsides.
Not to hard to use... just sand between coats.
Expensive though.