Refinish Companionway slide or buy new?

[Mattlikesbikes]

Refinish Companionway slide or buy new?

Not sure what to do. The companionway slides are in pretty bad shape.  I removed them and stated sanding but after about a half an hour it still looks pretty crappy. 
I am not sure if I should spend more time or just get new ones at $35 apiece.  I plan on just using teak oil on all the bright work.  I was able to clean the handrails up
pretty except for gouging them up trying to remove the plugs but I guess that's what wood filler is fore. The slides have mold spots and I am not sure what to use on them.

[Tim Gardner]

Make a paste of Barkeepers friend cleanser.  It contains oxalic acid.  spread the wet paste over the spots.  wait an hour, wash the paste off.  Repeat if necessary.

TG

[deisher6]

Hey Matt:
On our C16 I ran the companionway slides through a joiner set pretty thin.
regards charlie

[Mattlikesbikes]

I think I am going to try the Barkeepers friend I think we have some of that in the house.  I do not have any woodworking equipment so a joiner is out of the question.
I do have a palm sander somewhere, I might give that a go on the other one to save some time.  worst case is I spend $70 on a new pair.

Thanks Guys

[wes]

I've started with teak in much worse shape than yours, and ended up with a nice result. Personally I prefer sanding to chemical cleaners, but that's just me. I like to get down to a fresh layer of wood for the new finish to bond to. I use a 5" random orbit sander with 120 grit, which gives good control but also aggressive enough to take off the outer layer of wood. Hand sanding block/sponge for the corners. The RO sander is so much easier and faster than hand sanding for this kind of thing.

Wes

[Mattlikesbikes]

I've started with teak in much worse shape than yours, and ended up with a nice result.
Wes

I will post a picture of the other side which is still on the boat.  It is bad.

[Salty19]

Yep, I like to sand them down too.  The palm sanders are nice and can use it (120 grit), but on some of the parts its best to do it by hand.Sand until the darkness disappears (realizing that some areas like knots might be darker and won't sand out). Teak is a medium tan color when you expose fresh wood.

Then use 220 grit and your favorite coating. I've tried different things and like Cetol Light and spar varnish or Cetol Light and Cetol Clear. Of course you could just oil them too, and once the gray and black and gone, they'll look good no matter what you use to seal them.

However...that barkeepers friend does work well, not just for cleaning wood, but for the fiberglass too.  Rinse it really, really well, then rinse again.
Maybe do both so you'll sand less and know better that is natural dark areas and what is stained.

Some of my original wood was split and I bought new rails and slides. No need to buy new unless it's split, warped or you just want everything fresh and new.

[SpeakEasy]

I think you'll be pleasantly surprised by how nicely that finishes up.

-Speak