Finish for teak and holly veneer decking

[Bob Bradley]

I've been spending the past few weeks putting in teak and holly (veneer on marine ply) decking inside the cabin of my boat. Although it's still too cold to finish it, I do want to take home and finish the piece that will go under the head, so I can install that. I like the Epifanes products, and am leaning toward the Rubbed Effect varnish, but I'd like to get opinions on using that product in this application. Does anyone have any experience they'd care to share? Good or bad.

I am also putting down solid teak trim and door saddles, and am concerned about compatibility due to the high oil content of the wood.

 

[ThirdHatt]

Bob, I had Teak & Holly plywood flooring installed in my boat last fall and the yard HIGHLY recommened SATIN varnish over the high-gloss. Their reasoning is that especially in hi-wear areas, it will dull and show scratches almost immediately with the high-gloss. I agreed and let them apply the satin. It looks GREAT! I am quite plased, and even after a heavy amount of holiday-party traffic over the last month, I am happy to say that the finish looks like it did when I left the yard in November.

GOOD LUCK!

 

[Bob Bradley]

Thanks. Do you know how many coats they applied?

 

[Angela]

Last year, I cheated on my stairs, not having the time to rip them out completely and rebuild them with nice wood, and applied a veneer over the ugly plywood which I knew would wear out, but it bought me some time until I could do it right. I used Ultimate Sole, about 6 coats, and I have to say, there isn't a mark of wear on any of it, and they get a good workout with daily use 365 days/year. When I replace all of the carpet on the boat with the same teak & holly material you are using, I'm going to use Ultimate Sole since I've had such good results with it. I used high gloss, but I like the idea of satin on the floors at stated above.

 

[first big boat]

Bob,
I put down the plywood teak and holly in my heads and galley last year. I actually went with a home grade high gloss poly finish a long time flooring guy recommended. I think it was Varathane but I will let you know later today for sure. You can buy it a Lowe's. He uses it in historic houses with pine floors where they generally have wood in the kitchen and baths as well as the rest of the house. He said it would hold up well to the effects of uratic acid and I have to say, so far, the floor shine like new after a dozen or so cleanings.

I used about 6 coats and after trying the expensive lambs wool applicator I ended up using a good quality brush. The product flowed out smooth as a baby's butt. I also used solid teak for the threshold and trim. gave them same amount of coats as the floor and then installed and added a final coat to everything. In my application I held the thresholds up about a 1/4" higher than the plywood so I would be sure not to have any issue with the edge of the plywood chipping from a shoe catching it. I put a slight bevel on the bath side and the carpet side of the threshold.

Good luck with your project, it's one of those that really gives you instant gratification when you finish it!
Tom