Best treatment for teak cockpit table?

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McFly
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Best treatment for teak cockpit table?

Hi all, wondering if anyone could offer the best way to rejuvenate the teak cockpit table? This one is in decent shape but needs to be spruced up. Has anyone ever used any of the Starbrite products for teak?

See attached pics.

Thanks!

Mike

1999, Wing, tall, in mast
Phinneys Harbor, MA

Jackfish Girl, 1999, C36 MKII, Tall Rig, Wing Keel, In-mast furling, Monument Beach, Bourne, MA

two-rocks
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McFly
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Wow!  When I look at the $50 I was going to spend on the "teak brightening" products, this seems like the way to go!  Thanks Greg!

Mike

Jackfish Girl, 1999, C36 MKII, Tall Rig, Wing Keel, In-mast furling, Monument Beach, Bourne, MA

two-rocks
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We have the one with the wine glass holders. works very well, but it's small (we bought the 'large' version).

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Catboat Willy
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Our friends from Zarcor also make a nice table & seats for the Catalina 36; ​ https://zarcor.com/products/c-tables/index.php
We have one and are quite pleased.
Bill

Bill Dolan 1990 Catalina C-36 MKI - Hull #1041  'Williwaw'
Std. Rig, Walk Through, Wing Keel
M35, Oberdorfer Conversion,
Home Waters; Charlotte  Harbor & The Gulf Islands of Florida
'You are never out of work if you own a boat'

 

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Chachere
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Posts: 825

I'd hate to lose the beauty and feel of that teak for a plastic table, though those of us with MKIs (which had lots more outside wood than the MkIIs) well understand the downsides of the maintenance issues.

There are, of course, a plethora of other opinions on the forum archives on what to do with our boats' outdoor teak.  As they say, your boat, your choice!

For the past 5 years I've been using Semco teak sealer for the cockpit grate that we build back in '14 (first picture below, before sealer applied), as it would have beena huge PITA to varnish something like that (much less maintain it).   Its super easy to apply (plastic spray bottle, brush, foam brush or cloth), its not sticky, and dries in an hour or so.  A quick recoat  once a year is all it takes (no sanding or other prep).  Its not in the slightest degree glossy, but it does seem to protect the wood and still looks nice after 5 years with just a wipe on application once a year (see second picture below, taken last week -- although you can see the cockpit table, which I last varnished a few years back, needs some love!). 

I'm contemplating switching to the teak sealer treatment for all the other outdoor teak at somepoint.  Its definitely not as pretty as a nicely varnished piece of brightwork, but I have to acknowledge that revarnishing has fallen way down my maintenance priorities list over time.

 

Matthew Chachère
s/v ¡Que Chévere!
(Formerly 1985 C36 MKI #466 tall rig fin keel M25)
2006 Catalina Morgan 440 #30.
Homeported in eastern Long Island, NY

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Phil L
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All of my exterior teak is oiled, except my cockpit table, which is varnished.  I don't like the thought of spilling on oiled wood, which I would invariably do, and dealing with it potentially staining.  I put 4 coats of varnish on and everything just wipes up easily.  I got it pretty cheap from an outfit I loved but that seems to have gone out of business- Thai Teak Marine- that had all sorts of great teak products direct from Thailand.
 

Phil L 
Southern Cross
Channel Islands, CA
C36MKI #400

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McFly
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Joined: 10/22/18
Posts: 200

Looks amazing. I agree with you, I think varnish is the way to go. This boat has so little teak, and the table detaches and comes home pretty easy, so no real excuse to care for the small amount of teak in the off season. I'll post my results when I get'er done.

Mike

Jackfish Girl, 1999, C36 MKII, Tall Rig, Wing Keel, In-mast furling, Monument Beach, Bourne, MA

McFly
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Phil, now that I have used teak cleaner and brightener, can I still varnish?  I have only oiled the cup holder, have yet to oil the actual table.  Wondering if it's too late to varnish.  Can I still varnish the parts that have been oiled?

Mike

Jackfish Girl, 1999, C36 MKII, Tall Rig, Wing Keel, In-mast furling, Monument Beach, Bourne, MA

pierview
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I sand minedown and then use 2 coats of Cetal Light and a coat or two of Cetal Gloss. Not as attractive as varnish but I only have to do it every 3-4 years at best. With varnish you have to use many coats.

Chuck Parker
HelenRita 2072 Mk II
2002 Tall Rig - Winged Keel
Atlantic Highlands, NJ

McFly
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What about not using varnish at all?  Just a light sanding then Teak Cleaner / Brightener / Oil ??

Mike

Jackfish Girl, 1999, C36 MKII, Tall Rig, Wing Keel, In-mast furling, Monument Beach, Bourne, MA

Wally-1840
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I use Minwax Helmsman gloss varnish. Multiple coats, (till it looks right). I have a pedestal cover that extends nearly to the floor. Keeps the sun and rain off the instruments and table. The varnish holds up for a couple of seasons easily. When it gets iffy, home it comes for a redo. As previously said, the table cleans up spills easily.

Wally
"Onanne"
2000 MKII, deep keel, tall rig
​Lake Champlain
 

knotdoneyet
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Joined: 7/27/12
Posts: 253

Yike, those plastic tables are tiny.

i used the Starbrite brightener and teak oil and looked great.  This time I think I am going to varnish as it looks so much better.

Note, the teak oil keeps spills from being a problem as it just pools and cannot penetrate.  As it ages, this protection will fade.

 

2000 C36 MKII 1825

knotdoneyet
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Joined: 7/27/12
Posts: 253

Yike, those plastic tables are tiny.

i used the Starbrite brightener and teak oil and looked great.  This time I think I am going to varnish as it looks so much better.

Note, the teak oil keeps spills from being a problem as it just pools and cannot penetrate.  As it ages, this protection will fade.

 

2000 C36 MKII 1825

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