Finishing Cockpit Grates

[John Nuttall]

Hi Everybody,
It just got cold here in NC, so we will have to stop sailing for a day or two ( I know you FL sailors are enjoying the breezy cold fronts that have us putting logs on the fireplace, so don't rub it in too much !).
So with nothing fun to do,this weekend I sanded and scraped my cockpit grates down to bare teak. Now what do I use for a finish?
I like varnish, but that's too slippery. Teak oil might work, but it won't look like my brightwork. Hmmm. What to do? Can you add grit to varnish? Ok Dorians help me out...........

John Nuttall
s/v Aimless
CD31 #28
Oriental, NC



nuttallj@msn.com

[Bob Paterson]

Hi Everybody,
It just got cold here in NC, so we will have to stop sailing for a day or two ( I know you FL sailors are enjoying the breezy cold fronts that have us putting logs on the fireplace, so don't rub it in too much !).
So with nothing fun to do,this weekend I sanded and scraped my cockpit grates down to bare teak. Now what do I use for a finish?
I like varnish, but that's too slippery. Teak oil might work, but it won't look like my brightwork. Hmmm. What to do? Can you add grit to varnish? Ok Dorians help me out...........

John Nuttall
s/v Aimless
CD31 #28
Oriental, NC

Hi John,
This should be a no brainer.If you want the cotpit grates to look like piece of French or Elizabethan furniture,by all means varnish it,bearing in mind of course that what you have is a sailing vessel that is prone to getting wet and slippery underfoot,especially when the surface is highly polished .Of course you could keep it at the dock for all to admire. On the other hand it would seem more practical to soak the teak in a good oil,a light sheen can be achived with some good qulity products,(Sitkins comes to mind)though I will leave that debate to the teak gods! But for please!dont varnish and add gritt! That in the vanishing, varnishing world of the purist is darn right sacrilige........I just might not get any sleep tonight

Regards BoB P

[Marv Birdt]

Hi Everybody,
It just got cold here in NC, so we will have to stop sailing for a day or two ( I know you FL sailors are enjoying the breezy cold fronts that have us putting logs on the fireplace, so don't rub it in too much !).
So with nothing fun to do,this weekend I sanded and scraped my cockpit grates down to bare teak. Now what do I use for a finish?
I like varnish, but that's too slippery. Teak oil might work, but it won't look like my brightwork. Hmmm. What to do? Can you add grit to varnish? Ok Dorians help me out...........

John Nuttall
s/v Aimless
CD31 #28
Oriental, NC

Hi John,
This should be a no brainer.If you want the cotpit grates to look like piece of French or Elizabethan furniture,by all means varnish it,bearing in mind of course that what you have is a sailing vessel that is prone to getting wet and slippery underfoot,especially when the surface is highly polished .Of course you could keep it at the dock for all to admire. On the other hand it would seem more practical to soak the teak in a good oil,a light sheen can be achived with some good qulity products,(Sitkins comes to mind)though I will leave that debate to the teak gods! But for please!dont varnish and add gritt! That in the vanishing, varnishing world of the purist is darn right sacrilige........I just might not get any sleep tonight

Regards BoB P

Get a bucket of fresh water, squirt in some JOY, get a brush and clean the grate. And return the grate to it's normal position. That is what I do after a long cruise. Also brush the deck under the grate.
The wood looks like working teak. And has foor 13 years.
Marv Birdt..CRYSTAL a CD 30B Hull #358



mbirdt@peganet.com

[vince morrison]

have used a new product called armada on the teak grate in our shower. the color has lasted and it is not slippery. We use both the satin and glossy versions on our bright work. i am very pleased. unlike varnish and other such finishes to fix water spots you only need to clean away the dark mold with a bit of bleach sand a little nad then recoat. it blends perfectly with the existing finish. costs about 27 bucks a quart but spreads very well, got mine at West marine.

Hi Everybody,

It just got cold here in NC, so we will have to stop sailing for a day or two ( I know you FL sailors are enjoying the breezy cold fronts that have us putting logs on the fireplace, so don't rub it in too much !).
So with nothing fun to do,this weekend I sanded and scraped my cockpit grates down to bare teak. Now what do I use for a finish?
I like varnish, but that's too slippery. Teak oil might work, but it won't look like my brightwork. Hmmm. What to do? Can you add grit to varnish? Ok Dorians help me out...........

John Nuttall
s/v Aimless
CD31 #28
Oriental, NC

adulted2000@yahoo.com