Need some info from some wood finishing experts. I am refinishing a few
pieces of teak trim that had been finished with *something*, and
unfortunately I cannot get Pearson Composites to give me any clues as
what it really was. They first told me that it was Sherwin Williams
varnish, but that company could find nothing in their inventory that
matched Pearson's description, and their marine division makes only
paint for big/military ships. After a lot of back and forth, Pearson
told me that a good substitute would be Interlux #60 varnish. Turns out
that #60 is something called "polyurethane varnish". That name of course
is nonsense, it is just poly that resembles varnish. So now after doing
a little research I find out #60 used to be regular varnish up until 2
or 3 years ago. So did Pearson use varnish, or poly? The final piece of
info dragged out of them is that all the finishes they use are *indoor*
only, and these pieces of wood are exposed to the sun (they run around
the companionway) and got all ratty.
Since they won't fess up and I still need to refinsh, what would be
some recommendations? I need to match as best I can the rest of the
interior, and yet it needs better protection from exposure. Can straight
spar-type varnish be used on wood previously poly'd but sanded? Can you
varnish over a few new coats of poly? And if anyone knows, what finishes
might meet my needs AND be a close color match with Interlux 60, and
hold up well like a good UV varnish? Of course, relative ease of future
upkeep and refinishing is important which is why I would 'prefer'
varnish vs. poly if possible - poly is a PITA to remove adequately for
refinishing.

Thanks,

Red

Red wrote:
Need some info from some wood finishing experts. I am refinishing a
few
pieces of teak trim that had been finished with *something*, and
unfortunately I cannot get Pearson Composites to give me any clues as
what it really was.
snip

Certainly no finishing expert; however, have never found anything that
was sold to protect teak on a boat that was worth the price of admission.

As a result, have learned to like my teak au natural which may not be
to your liking.

One suggestion.

Clean teak then COMPLETELY seal with 4-5 coats (1/day max) of epoxy
sanding lightly between coats.

You must totally seal the teak or it will fail early.

Finally, seal the epoxy with a good marine poly that contains UV
inhibitors which are required to protect the epoxy.

When you get a poly scratch, repair it before the epoxy gets damaged.

Have fun.

Lew

Duh, there are lots of polyurethane varnishes out there. Since that
seems to be what is on your boat, stick with it. If you want to change
to spar varnish (and why would you?) sand down to bare wood and put on
a minimum of 8 coats, letting them dry and lightly sanding in between.
Personally, I use Honey Teak and love it. A bit of work to put on, but
very durable and only requires a maintenance coat or two of their
clear every year.

Keith penned:
"Duh, there are lots of polyurethane varnishes out there. Since that
seems to be what is on your boat, stick with it. If you want to change
to spar varnish (and why would you?) sand down to bare wood and put on
a minimum of 8 coats, letting them dry and lightly sanding in between.
Personally, I use Honey Teak and love it. A bit of work to put on, but
very durable and only requires a maintenance coat or two of their
clear every year."

Keith,
Varnish is varnish, but poly is poly. Varnish can be had with UV
inhibitors, but indoor poly cannot. So far I haven't found any poly that
would match the original color and texture (satin) and have UV
protection. The exposed teak had indoor poly on it. It caused a nasty
white-ish/yellow-ish crusty look and feel to the wood that was exposed
(less than 2 seasons in the N. East). As I've said, I want to be able to
protect the wood, AND match the color of the original if possible. Poly
is a major PITA to keep up when weathered. Varnish, like you've pointed
out is comparatively fairly easy and with care lasts - and can be
restored much easier than poly ever could when damaged. What I wanted to
know was if I could put varnish over wood that has been previously
poly'd, or would it have adhesion or other issues down the road.
Thanks,
Red

You're just arguing semantics. When you say "poly" to me, that means
polyethylene, polypropylene, etc. "Poly" by itself really means
nothing, except some unspecified polymer.

Anyway, if there is a polyurethane finish on there now, you should
sand it completely off before switching to "regular" varnish.

Oh yea, and if you want to really learn about "varnish", read up at:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Varnish
You'll want to decide which of the following types of "varnish" you
need:
2.1 Violin
2.2 Resin
2.3 Shellac
2.4 Alkyd
2.5 Spar Varnish
2.6 Drying Oils
2.7 Polyurethane
2.8 Lacquer
2.9 Acrylic
2.10 Two-Part

You're welcome.

Keith said:
"You're just arguing semantics. When you say "poly" to me, that means
polyethylene, polypropylene, etc. "Poly" by itself really means
nothing, except some unspecified polymer."
....and also some useful info.

Indoor Polyurethane. Never heard of the other two used for wood finishes.
I wasn't really arguing semantics, just trying to learn. Thanks for the
useful info and link - I am going to read it tonight.

Red

Red wrote:

Thanks for the
useful info and link - I am going to read it tonight.


Get a Jamestown Distributors catalog.

Contains some skinny you may find useful.

Lew