Teak cabin table - oil, varnish or polyurethane?

R

RM

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Sanded our teak cabin table and trying to decide what to finish with. It was previously oiled but thinking of going with a more glossy "varnished" finish. If go with the glossy /varnish finish what product would you recommend?
A varnish or a poly?
Any brand would suggest?
Any tips? Ie # of coats, brushes, etc?
Will the color depend on coating?

Looking for a medium gloss, a lighter natural color is preferred. Don't like the orange tint of cetol.

Thanks
 
I'd use either Oil or Varnish, rather than poly ( on teak ). Teak is naturally oily, and does not need that type of sealer that you get with poly.

If you do use varnish, use a thin coat. You gain little or nothing ( in this usage ) from a heavier coat, and a heavier coat could, by itself, cause problems. Also, with varnish, be sure to use new, fresh varnish because "stale" varnish will not harden well, and will tend to remain sticky.
 
I personally prefer oil. By sanding it back down to the plain wood, oiling it will not make it an orange tint. Try a light colored furniture oil. Since this table is not outside, you don't have to worry about UV protection. You just need to replenish the natural oil in the wood. I'd "paint" the oil on with a new soft brush, let it sit for an hour or so, then wipe it with a clean absorbant towel to get up any excess. I think varnishing is just too much work and high maintenance.
 
One part interior grade poly.

Thats all I've been using on interior teak for years and never had a lifting issue.
It's easy to apply, you can do 2 - 4 coats in a day without sanding between coats, it's waterproof, alcohol resistant, fairly cheap to buy, tough enough for floors and easy to touch up.

I like the satin look for interiors myself.
 
I'm with Bill on this one. Use a 25% thinned down sealer coat of satin (low luster) polyurethane varnish, followed by at least 2 additional coats, lightly sanded with 220 grit between coats. This will remove any specs which may become imbedded in the dried coat. Use a tack rag after sanding.

Additional coats gives more depth to the finish and adds extra impact protection - desirable on a tabletop. I use Interlux Goldspar Satin (formerly called "Handrubbed") on all my boat's interiors.
 
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