Refinishing Teak / Brightwork

[KWKloeber]

On the lighter side of things.....

I recall about 60 years ago (give or take) mentioning that I wanted to drive a train.  Mom took it to heart but, despite spending a ton of money on school and getting a engineering license, I've still driven a train only once -- and then it was for only a few minutes (I won't mention the Amtrak line, location, engineer, lest the guy lose his job.)

Much later I wanted a sailboat.  I thought that meant I'd "sail" it? 
Instead I find I had learn to be a wood finishing expert, re-finishing expert, painter/laborer (I HATE tedious painting.) And then, after spending untold hours to make things look nice, I need to regularly repeat the distasteful practice (instead of "sailing".)  And then have to make or spend cash for others to make, and periodically replace, covers to hide the nice result, and/or spend time dismantling/re-mantling covers and protection and whatnots (before "sailing".)

I see a pattern.  When I have the spare cash -- PlasTeak, here I come!!   

-kk

[Noah]

As they say..."whatever floats your boat..."

[Ed Shankle]

I agree with Noah. Annually I light sand and varnish with 1 coat. Occasionally I have gone 2 years without varnishing. Usually the cockpit sole starts to look a bit dull at the end of year 2. I also have grab rail covers, but don't always use them.
Regards,
Ed

[kwaltersmi]

I've tried Cetol, Semco, varnish, natural, and teak oil. I'm currently using teak oil after an annual cleaning since the application is simple and a late summer (usually by August) touch up keeps things looking good.

[Roland Gendreau]

When my years of Cetol needed to be refreshed, I removed all the teak and brought it home.  I sanded/stripped it down, then applied 3 coats of Cetol, followed by 3 coats of Cetol gloss clear.

The clear gloss coat provides a hard durable layer plus UV protection.

It's been 3 years and it has required nearly zero maintenance.

[Ron Hill]

Roland : What did you do with the teak plugs that cover the mounting screws?? 

[Bobg]

I use Cetol, works fine for me, when I leave the boat for any length of time I slice swim noodles lengthwise and put those over the grab rails to keep sun off it, friction fit works good, plumbing pipe sleeves work too..If signature is put on properly it looks good and lasts for years, but difficult to apply, I tried it and couldn't get it down well, if I had the skills to install signature, thats what I would do, but cetol is inexpensive and a no brainer to put on and maintain