Finishing wood

[Shawn]

I know that Bertram is using Semco. In 13 years of ownership that Teak has been sanded twice. At the start of the season you just wash the teak, let it dry and reapply the Semco.

I'd rather be on the water then sanding teak.

Shawn

[newt]

Yesterday was the second time this month somebody pulled along side of me ( when I was sailing of all things) with their motor sailor and told me how beautiful the wood was. It's kinda embarrassing but my wife loves to be with me when it happens. Says its about time I got some recognition. Whatever...I just think good boats need good treatment. Ceatol and a power sander makes it easy.

[mrb]

Shawn

What kind of treatment do you consider Semco to be.  Is it akine to a oil treatment or more like a surface treatment like varnish.  Sounds fairly user friendly, wash,dry and reapply.

I'm with you on being on the water, not_______ beside just liking the teak silver color.

melvin

[Bob23]

   I'm really enjoying this discussion on teak finishes. As you may know, I'm a varnish guy but I was just checking out the Semco website www.semcoteakproducts.com and this stuff sure looks interesting. I may do a test piece out this spring and check out the results.
   I also would rather sail than sand but my varnish finish, has been quite low maintenance so far. It may have to do with using wet sanded Tung oil as an initial sealer before the varnishing begins. The Pettit guy at the Maine Boatbuilders show says that Flagship varnish can be thinned 50% for the beginning coats; allows it to soak into the wood.
   Some of my customers on Long Beach Island have been asking for a finish for thier wood siding and wood decks. I wonder if Semco will work?
   Shawn- nice idea with the nail polish container full of varnish. I'll do it!
Bob23-I love wood!
   Correction: On April 2nd I made mention of a finish called Veranda. Not so! It is called Armada.
   One final note: I wonder if Practical Sailor has done a test on teak finishes?

[Shawn]

Hi Melvin,

Semco is much more like an oil or stain then a hard surface finish like varnish or Cetol. The different versions have differing amounts of pigment in it.

When the teak is ready you can brush on the Semco, or use a sponge or rag it on like a stain. Once you finish the first treatment you can apply the second doesn't matter if the first has dried or not. After that next year it is just washing the Teak off and applying the Semco again, very quick and easy.

Sanding is getting old fast. I have about 10 hours in scraping/sanding off the old Cetol on my Teak and I'm still not there yet. Haven't even touched the hand holds or the trim by the portholes.

Shawn

[mrb]

Shawn

Thanks for the explanation.  I checked out lead Bob23 posted and they have a store in Little Rock that handles product. Guess I will check it out the next time I am down there.

Melvin

[mikehennessy]

A good review on recent wood finishes.

https://www.practical-sailor.com/issues/37_9/features/exterior_wood_10576-1.html?ET=practicalsailor:e39910:1999460a:&st=email&s=p_Waypoints041319