On Sun, 03 Dec 2006 13:53:15 -0500, Wayne.B
wrote:

I'm getting ready to do a major varnish project on my Grand Banks 49
and was thinking that it might be nice to have the teak more or less
the same color (some is lighter, some darker, etc.). The wood will be
stripped and sanded before I start with the varnish.

Does anyone have any thoughts, experience, whatever with staining
teak? If so, what type and color of stain would you recommend?

Is there any downside other than some loss of wood grain visibility?

I'm planning to use epifanes gloss varnish which builds up to a dark
amber color with enough coats.


On my last boat I used Watco danish oil finish stain on my interior
teak, but did not apply a varnish over it, just more oil. I used
Cherry. It came out great.

It will only alter tone as it is a suspended pigment stain in an oil
base. The effect is to blend the various wood tones, rather than
impart a serious color change.

All stains are not the same, Dyes are not the same as pigment stains.
Dyes can be water based, alcohol based, or oil based and generally
provide the most color change, but also the most chance of blotching.
Dyes penetrate, oil stains tend to stay on the surface.

My suggestion, read up on the subject, (flexnor, Jewitt, others..),
but sample first to see what you like.

I'm also a woodworker and currently finishing a china cabinet. I must
have about 30 samples of various dyes, stains, topcoats combinations
sitting around the shop and still haven't gotten it perfect. In this
case, I'm trying to match an existing piece so it is that much harder.
With that, you also have to estimate the patina change over time.

Frank