I am seeking the wisdom of the group here...

I had occasion to strip the varnish off of our shower grate. When I had
it down to bare wood, it looked pretty good. Although it was finished
from the factory, I now wonder if that was only the request of the first
owner. The grate in the cockpit is bare wood, and it looks good...

What is the wisdom he Should I leave it bare, or should I re-varnish it?

bob
s/v Eolian
Seattle

Teak looses it natural non-slip qualities when varnished; the shower is
a place many prefer not to be slippery!

Provided there's no standing water, i.e. the grate is not partially
imersed in fresh water for extended periods, rot won't be a concern.

I'd go unfinished.

MW

Seems like the unfinished wood would make a great catch place for all
kinds of skin oils and cells, bacteria and mold growth, etc. Seems like
a stinker waiting to happen. Although the raw teak wouldn't care, I'd
sure finish it with something just to seal the wood and let more of the
nasties go down the drain.

On Mon, 20 Nov 2006 10:59:39 -0800, RW Salnick
wrote:

I am seeking the wisdom of the group here...

I had occasion to strip the varnish off of our shower grate. When I had
it down to bare wood, it looked pretty good. Although it was finished
from the factory, I now wonder if that was only the request of the first
owner. The grate in the cockpit is bare wood, and it looks good...

What is the wisdom he Should I leave it bare, or should I re-varnish it?

How about a coat of Cetol?

Won't look as good as unvarnished in the short term, but maybe better
in the long term.

I'd have thought that soap will strip out the oils in the surface of
the teak over time. If the wood remains damp it might get mouldy and
discoloured.

cheers,
Pete.

inscribed in red ink for all to know:
Teak looses it natural non-slip qualities when varnished; the shower is
a place many prefer not to be slippery!

Provided there's no standing water, i.e. the grate is not partially
imersed in fresh water for extended periods, rot won't be a concern.

I'd go unfinished.


The teak grate in the cockpit is exposed to the weather, and it seems to
do fine. I was wondering if anyone had actually had a bare teak grate
in the shower... does the soap affect it? Does it look good after a
year's use?

bob

I'd go unfinished for slip resistance. How hard would it be to remove
it once in a while and pressure wash any accumilated crud?

Drew Dalgleish wrote:
I'd go unfinished for slip resistance. How hard would it be to remove
it once in a while and pressure wash any accumilated crud?

Dashew's "Cruising Encyclopedia" made a good point. In a grate there
are many holes you can only clean out with a toothbrush. Tedious.
Their suggestion was to make a 'grate' but with all the pieces going in
the same direction, (held together with a couple cross-pieces on the
back). Much easier to clean out.

RW Salnick wrote:
I am seeking the wisdom of the group here...

I had occasion to strip the varnish off of our shower grate. When I had
it down to bare wood, it looked pretty good. Although it was finished
from the factory, I now wonder if that was only the request of the first
owner. The grate in the cockpit is bare wood, and it looks good...

What is the wisdom he Should I leave it bare, or should I re-varnish it?

Now that brings back memories ... many years ago, I travelled north a
few times a year. I remember the showers in one camp had unfinished
teak grates which were not fastened in place. So for cleaning, the
grates were removed to clean up the shower stall, and the grates
themselves could also easily be cleaned. Seems like an idea.

I have a removable teak grate (finished) and use a botte brush to clean
out all those holes, and the back as well. Once in awhile, I take it to
the car wash and use the high pressure hose to blast it as well. A
spritz of bleach occasionally keeps it clean as well.

RW Salnick inscribed in red ink for all to know:
I am seeking the wisdom of the group here...

I had occasion to strip the varnish off of our shower grate. When I had
it down to bare wood, it looked pretty good. Although it was finished
from the factory, I now wonder if that was only the request of the first
owner. The grate in the cockpit is bare wood, and it looks good...

What is the wisdom he Should I leave it bare, or should I re-varnish
it?

bob
s/v Eolian
Seattle


Thanks for all the comments...

I have begun using the grate in its unfinished condition - so far, so
good. It continues to look good...