Oil or Varnish

[dingoman]

Hello folks. For exterior wood work I have been advised to oil unvarnished areas instead of varnishing as it would save lot's of headaches later on. What is you opionion on this?? BTW she will be in tropical waters for the next few years.

[Pete7]

Quite right in my opinion, varnish is for interior surfaces. Too much work for outside woodwork. Wipe the oil on, then off, job done, go get another beer.

Pete

[anjou]

Always oil. The wood can breath and if its damaged there is no skin for water to enter and be trapped behind.
Nothing worse than blistering varnish that traps the damp inside.

[rtbates]

Varnish is a pain in the butt and oil grows mold/mildew.

The modern answer is TEAKGUARD..

I use it, I like it.

Yes, if've used plenty of other oils/varnishes in the past, didn't like any of them..

[anjou]

Originally Posted by rtbates

Varnish is a pain in the butt and oil grows mold/mildew.

The modern answer is TEAKGUARD..

I use it, I like it.

Yes, if've used plenty of other oils/varnishes in the past, didn't like any of them..

Mineral oil doesnt grow moldy. Maybe applying too much veggy oil gives bugs something to live on

[Bash]

on a Pacific Seacraft 31? Varnish.

[matauwhi]

G'day, mate. Varnish here. We spend the same amount as time as what keeping oil renewed would take and enjoy the results much better. Cheers.

[marc2012]

I oil everything except two places that still have polyurethane,talk bad about po that put that s$%^ on.marc

[gonesail]

if in the tropics .. varnish is a pain to keep up. you would need to recoat after a year for sure. but the varnish looks so much better than oil. you could try the new clear gloss from cetol. some folks here put it on top of the varnish.

[zeehag]

oil does not mold..LOL..in the sun--isnt gonna happen!!! i use oil all the time--i have 110 ft of caprail that i oil once per year. after i wash the teak with sea water

[dingoman]

Thanks everyone! Bash, why do you say on a Pacific Seacraft varnish?? Just curiuos. Is it because she has more of a traditional look??

[David M]

I know it's sacrilegious to do this but I got tired of doing both and painted my wood a teak color. I have been going on three years now. I don't regret it either.