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I am thinking of varnishing my montauk teak. Should I stain the teak before applying varnish? If so, what is the best option for a mid to darker toned finish?

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No stain.....just varnish.

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I'm think the only one here that likes SEMCO teak sealer.

http://www.westmarine.com/1/1/11287-teak-sealer-natural-quart-from-semco.html



added
It is a dry natural look you can see it on my personal page if you like, (console)

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If it darker effect you're trying to get, you will be surprised how much darker it will get when you apply the varnish on it, so do not add any stain.

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Most people think my varnish work looks remarkably good, so I have to differ with the pros here, and recommend stain,

http://smg.photobucket.com/albums/v42...CN1357.jpg

I use ZAR Natural Teak oil based stain. Stain adds pigment which gives the wood additional UV protection, and keeps it from getting bleached out under the varnish. All varnish will yellow with age, at the same time the wood is getting bleached out, and the initially darker varnish job provided by the stain, keeps the work looking better years later. After 5 years, the wood and varnsh will have faded and yellowed to look like a new varnish job done with out stain. Even when I re-varnish, I first wipe on a coat of stain before topcoating several more coats of varnish.

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The nice part about these boat's is that you can do your "Brightwork" in many different way's, everyone know's little "Tricks & Tip's" (and I love reading them), it's what "YOU" like that count's. I too like "Zar" stain, it's "marine rated", it never skid's, and look's GREAT !

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Do not ad stain. Let the natural beauty of the wood show its self. Go to my personal page to see what natural Mahogany looks like with no stain and just marine varnish. My Mahogany was a pale pink before varnish. If not convinced use the back side of one of your pieces of wood or scrap and do a varnish only test. Have fun and be patient!

Paul B

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I also like Semco, a lot, best solution to a teak finish I've tried to date. I would not varnish teak, ever. Someday you, or another, owner will regret your having done so, but to each his own.

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wow this has been a 50/50 debate that has been clear as mud. Its your boat do as you wish. Some people are practical some purist both are right, that is the beauty of opinions. As stated before try scrap or back of piece with stain and one without.;)