Exterior Teak

I am about to redo my teak and would like to know what you have found to be the best method of cleaning teak as well as treating / maintaining.

Easiest way to strip the teak is use a carbide cabinet scrapper. Then sand it a little with 220 grit.
Then finish with CETOL or Epifane varnish. 3 coats min.

I have some questions about refinishing exterior teak. Our IP 32 has several coats of Cetol and it is starting show it's age. I would like to try something else like varnish or Starbright Tropical Teak sealer.

1. When I start using a scraper, do I also use a heat gun?
2. Do you tape around the teak before you start to scrape?
3. If so, will the heat gun make the tape stick badly?
4. Do you re-tape after you get all the old Cetol off?

I'm sure I will have other questions, so I hope y'all have patience.

I would highly recommend that you read "Brightwork: The Art of Finishing Wood," by Rebecca Wittman. Check it out at www.amazon.com/Brightwork-The-Art-Finishing-Wood/dp/0877429847 . This book will answer most if not all of your questions. Excellent!

Thanks for the recommendation! I'll certainly check it out.

An alternative to the varnish or Cetol thing is to use teak oil. We stripped our teak down to bare wood and brushed on 2 or 3 coats of oil. We like the look better but it does require upkeep. It's good for about 3 months. Then we scrub the teak with a green pad and apply more oil. It goes pretty quickly. It's a trade-off with the Cetol. The actual application is less work with the oil but you do it more often. What I really like is the old timely glow you get from the oiled teak.

Another alternative is to let it go natural. Grey is good. I've got it in my hair and I think it looks just fine.

Tom Ward
IP420-35
La Vida Dulce