Hatchboard Finish
Scott,
Just to show that everybody
has an opinion... :) I used a belt
sander then a finish sander to make the boards nice and smooth the year I got
the boat, removing the original shiny finish.
I simply rub on some Penofin oil (99% UV Blocker) every so often. I
just use a small sponge and wipe it on. Takes about the same amount of time to wipe off the counter as it
does to do this job. Penofin brings out the rich teak grain and color tones and
soaks in immediately.
I typically don't use Teak
oil only because doesn't prohibit mildew growth, but the visual effect is
similar. Cetol
wears really well, but my "issues" with it and sealers like it, is
that it does build up and even if you only do it a
every year or two, it's still a much bigger project. Also, I personally don't care for the orange
color of Cetol, but that's a personal
preference. Perhaps they have a version
that doesn't make it look that way.
Also, once you start using Cetol, you're
pretty much stuck with it for life as I understand.
Island Packet uses Cetol (I believe) on their external teak, and while it is
shiny, it's *orange*. :-) If you don't have a dodger and you get a lot
of weather on the hatch boards, then with Penofin,
you'd want to wipe it on a couple times a season to retain the UV protection
(which is what makes teak go gray).
Cheers!
-Jeff H.
I used the Ultra Premium Red
Label product, only because I also use it on my IPE deck. If I were to go out and just buy it for this
purpose, I'd get the Marine Oil Finish.
With penofin,
it's better to put on light coats wiping off the excess. Then apply another
coat a few days or weeks later when you have time. Then you’ve got a solid UV blocking oiled
finish. It doesn't mildew like alot of oils can do in the right conditions.
I had to call around to find
it.
-Jeff
PS: Ipe
(aka Ironwood) is an awesome decking and marine
material...
http://www.bearcreeklumber.com/productimagepages/ipe/products/ipedecking.html
I've considered rebuilding
my hatch boards with this stuff.
Stronger, prettier and weathers better than teak. Unfortuately, it's
HEAVIER also...