T&T: Cap rail woes...

[John Adams]

Jeff,

My experience says that in time you will get cracks and a rough finish, 
especially in an uncontained and horizontal piece of wood like the cap 
rails.  Further, although you clean them regularly, and hopefully wash them 
sometimes with salt water, you will have to sand them occasionally if you 
want to maintain a smooth finish.  So, in time you will find that you have 
reduced your cap rails into expensive sanding dust!  Unfinished teak that 
has been lightly sanded regularly, cleaned regularly, and salt rinsed has a 
beautiful soft honey and gray color that appears  to have depth like 
varnish.  It is beautiful!
But at a cost.

John Adams
m/v Oriental  CT T35
New Bern, NC


> Here's what I don't know: What are the downsides of medium-to-long-term
> natural, uncoated teak on the cap rail?  Has anyone done this in the past
> and has some experiences to share?  Is there a danger of the cap rail
> cracking?  Should a natural cap rail be cleaned yearly or should it just 
> be
> left alone?
>
>
> ================
> Jeffrey Siegel
> M/V aCappella
> DeFever 53PH
> W1ACA/WDB4350
> Castine, Maine
> _______________________________________________
> http://lists.samurai.com/mailman/listinfo/trawlers-and-trawlering
>
> To unsubscribe send email to
> trawlers-and-trawlering-request@lists.samurai.com with the word
> UNSUBSCRIBE and nothing else in the subject or body of the message.
>
> Trawlers & Trawlering and T&T are trademarks of Water World
> Productions. Unauthorized use is prohibited.