Cetol...yes, CETOL

[Clinton B Chase]

My entry into boats (the fiberglassy ones) introduced me to Cetol, the stuff the POs used on my Tartan 30. I kept using it and have liked it; easy, one maintenance coat per year @ most, like the look. I might use it on my Shellback...may "varnish" the interior. Mainly curious here...who has used Cetol and what about Cetol Light? What are other folks' experience with this stuff. (I made $5 at the boatbuilders show doing a Lonnnnng survey for Interlux on "wood coatings".

Cheers,
Clint

[Clinton B Chase]

My entry into boats (the fiberglassy ones) introduced me to Cetol, the stuff the POs used on my Tartan 30. I kept using it and have liked it; easy, one maintenance coat per year @ most, like the look. I might use it on my Shellback...may "varnish" the interior. Mainly curious here...who has used Cetol and what about Cetol Light? What are other folks' experience with this stuff. (I made $5 at the boatbuilders show doing a Lonnnnng survey for Interlux on "wood coatings".

Cheers,
Clint

[Clinton B Chase]

My entry into boats (the fiberglassy ones) introduced me to Cetol, the stuff the POs used on my Tartan 30. I kept using it and have liked it; easy, one maintenance coat per year @ most, like the look. I might use it on my Shellback...may "varnish" the interior. Mainly curious here...who has used Cetol and what about Cetol Light? What are other folks' experience with this stuff. (I made $5 at the boatbuilders show doing a Lonnnnng survey for Interlux on "wood coatings".

Cheers,
Clint

[Dale Genther]

We put Cetol on many of the boats we refinish, although more and more of our customers are switching to varnish. Cetol has an orangeish unnatural appearance to it that doesn't stand up well to abrasion. Over a period of 5 or so years it builds up to the point that it turns dark brown and the grain of the wood hardly shows thru at all. The Cetol light has a better color, but I suspect it has less UV inhibiters in it. If you decide to go with it, first lay on a coat or two of Interlux Interprime Wood Sealer. before coating with the Cetol (three coats of Cetol). If you want a gloss look, put a couple of coats of Interlux Goldspar Clear over it. Its better than the gloss overcoat Cetol sells. By now you are up to a total of 6-7 coats of various "stuff". You'll still have to put on a maintenance coat every year. If you had put on 6-7 coats of Epifanes Woodfinish Gloss Varnish. You would have a better looking longer lasting finish. This is exactly why so many of our customers are switching to varnish.

[Dale Genther]

We put Cetol on many of the boats we refinish, although more and more of our customers are switching to varnish. Cetol has an orangeish unnatural appearance to it that doesn't stand up well to abrasion. Over a period of 5 or so years it builds up to the point that it turns dark brown and the grain of the wood hardly shows thru at all. The Cetol light has a better color, but I suspect it has less UV inhibiters in it. If you decide to go with it, first lay on a coat or two of Interlux Interprime Wood Sealer. before coating with the Cetol (three coats of Cetol). If you want a gloss look, put a couple of coats of Interlux Goldspar Clear over it. Its better than the gloss overcoat Cetol sells. By now you are up to a total of 6-7 coats of various "stuff". You'll still have to put on a maintenance coat every year. If you had put on 6-7 coats of Epifanes Woodfinish Gloss Varnish. You would have a better looking longer lasting finish. This is exactly why so many of our customers are switching to varnish.

[Dale Genther]

We put Cetol on many of the boats we refinish, although more and more of our customers are switching to varnish. Cetol has an orangeish unnatural appearance to it that doesn't stand up well to abrasion. Over a period of 5 or so years it builds up to the point that it turns dark brown and the grain of the wood hardly shows thru at all. The Cetol light has a better color, but I suspect it has less UV inhibiters in it. If you decide to go with it, first lay on a coat or two of Interlux Interprime Wood Sealer. before coating with the Cetol (three coats of Cetol). If you want a gloss look, put a couple of coats of Interlux Goldspar Clear over it. Its better than the gloss overcoat Cetol sells. By now you are up to a total of 6-7 coats of various "stuff". You'll still have to put on a maintenance coat every year. If you had put on 6-7 coats of Epifanes Woodfinish Gloss Varnish. You would have a better looking longer lasting finish. This is exactly why so many of our customers are switching to varnish.

[Peter Malcolm Jardine]

I've put lots of cetol on my pop's boat, but I never liked it personally. It doesn't hold a good gloss, and it always looks murky to me. Never used cetol light. The upside of Cetol is that is forgiving of a patch, and hides water stains because it's so murky. I think it's varnish for people who don't care.

I use Epifanes, and it stands up very very very well.... beautiful gloss, and good uv resistance. ;)

[Peter Malcolm Jardine]

I've put lots of cetol on my pop's boat, but I never liked it personally. It doesn't hold a good gloss, and it always looks murky to me. Never used cetol light. The upside of Cetol is that is forgiving of a patch, and hides water stains because it's so murky. I think it's varnish for people who don't care.

I use Epifanes, and it stands up very very very well.... beautiful gloss, and good uv resistance. ;)

[Peter Malcolm Jardine]

I've put lots of cetol on my pop's boat, but I never liked it personally. It doesn't hold a good gloss, and it always looks murky to me. Never used cetol light. The upside of Cetol is that is forgiving of a patch, and hides water stains because it's so murky. I think it's varnish for people who don't care.

I use Epifanes, and it stands up very very very well.... beautiful gloss, and good uv resistance. ;)

[kc8pql]

Originally posted by Peter Malcolm Jardine:
I think it's varnish for people who don't care.

I think that's exactly right. I used Cetol and don't mind the look, but I won't think twice about painting the whole thing when I get tired of taking care of brightwork.

[kc8pql]

Originally posted by Peter Malcolm Jardine:
I think it's varnish for people who don't care.

I think that's exactly right. I used Cetol and don't mind the look, but I won't think twice about painting the whole thing when I get tired of taking care of brightwork.

[kc8pql]

Originally posted by Peter Malcolm Jardine:
I think it's varnish for people who don't care.

I think that's exactly right. I used Cetol and don't mind the look, but I won't think twice about painting the whole thing when I get tired of taking care of brightwork.

[uncas]

Tradition calls for varnish!
I can spot a cetoled job at 100 paces. I don't like the color and as someone wrote, it appears murky.
Have never tried cetol light.
I'll stick to epi..
There is nothing more beautiful than a varnished mast, cockpit, cabin, etc. in the sunlight.

[uncas]

Tradition calls for varnish!
I can spot a cetoled job at 100 paces. I don't like the color and as someone wrote, it appears murky.
Have never tried cetol light.
I'll stick to epi..
There is nothing more beautiful than a varnished mast, cockpit, cabin, etc. in the sunlight.

[uncas]

Tradition calls for varnish!
I can spot a cetoled job at 100 paces. I don't like the color and as someone wrote, it appears murky.
Have never tried cetol light.
I'll stick to epi..
There is nothing more beautiful than a varnished mast, cockpit, cabin, etc. in the sunlight.

[Ian McColgin]

There is a definate place for CETOL, perhaps over an CPES base, and that's on the rails of any iron fastened boat. CETOL and CPES are both vapor permiable so as the hot sun causes the moisture to wick up those iron fastenings and gather under the caprail bungs, it can evaporate out, rather than lift a dozen coats of glorious varnish. The varnish will also hold the moisture and help a bit of rot get started.

Other problem areas that lend themselves to CETOL include trunk cabin corners if the sides land on a verticl timber and somehow moisture is getting in either the verticle seams, under the carline, or along the deck/trunk connection.

Other than that, varnish remains the better choise for most places and the only choise on spars.

G'luck

[Ian McColgin]

There is a definate place for CETOL, perhaps over an CPES base, and that's on the rails of any iron fastened boat. CETOL and CPES are both vapor permiable so as the hot sun causes the moisture to wick up those iron fastenings and gather under the caprail bungs, it can evaporate out, rather than lift a dozen coats of glorious varnish. The varnish will also hold the moisture and help a bit of rot get started.

Other problem areas that lend themselves to CETOL include trunk cabin corners if the sides land on a verticl timber and somehow moisture is getting in either the verticle seams, under the carline, or along the deck/trunk connection.

Other than that, varnish remains the better choise for most places and the only choise on spars.

G'luck

[Ian McColgin]

There is a definate place for CETOL, perhaps over an CPES base, and that's on the rails of any iron fastened boat. CETOL and CPES are both vapor permiable so as the hot sun causes the moisture to wick up those iron fastenings and gather under the caprail bungs, it can evaporate out, rather than lift a dozen coats of glorious varnish. The varnish will also hold the moisture and help a bit of rot get started.

Other problem areas that lend themselves to CETOL include trunk cabin corners if the sides land on a verticl timber and somehow moisture is getting in either the verticle seams, under the carline, or along the deck/trunk connection.

Other than that, varnish remains the better choise for most places and the only choise on spars.

G'luck

[uncas]

http://www.imagestation.com/picture/sraid183/p08ef3c1a7dc65a26873d3ac4064910be/f2a51f16.jpg

Some good points but, I'm gonna stick with varnish. Gives me something to do in the off season after it warms up a bit and before I set off.

[uncas]

http://www.imagestation.com/picture/sraid183/p08ef3c1a7dc65a26873d3ac4064910be/f2a51f16.jpg

Some good points but, I'm gonna stick with varnish. Gives me something to do in the off season after it warms up a bit and before I set off.

[uncas]

http://www.imagestation.com/picture/sraid183/p08ef3c1a7dc65a26873d3ac4064910be/f2a51f16.jpg

Some good points but, I'm gonna stick with varnish. Gives me something to do in the off season after it warms up a bit and before I set off.

[Keith Wilson]

I think it's varnish for people who don't care.I think of it as something in between varnish and paint. It's less work and lasts longer than varnish, but still looks sort of like wood - OTOH, it's more work and less durable than paint, but not as pretty as vernish. I have used both original orange Cetol (I don't like the color either) and the West Marine knockoff (Wood Pro or something like that). Over CPES, both are about as durable as a you can get with a clear finish. The West Marine stuff is a little cheaper, and more important, is a much better color, more brown than orange; it seems identical otherwise.

[Keith Wilson]

I think it's varnish for people who don't care.I think of it as something in between varnish and paint. It's less work and lasts longer than varnish, but still looks sort of like wood - OTOH, it's more work and less durable than paint, but not as pretty as vernish. I have used both original orange Cetol (I don't like the color either) and the West Marine knockoff (Wood Pro or something like that). Over CPES, both are about as durable as a you can get with a clear finish. The West Marine stuff is a little cheaper, and more important, is a much better color, more brown than orange; it seems identical otherwise.

[Keith Wilson]

I think it's varnish for people who don't care.I think of it as something in between varnish and paint. It's less work and lasts longer than varnish, but still looks sort of like wood - OTOH, it's more work and less durable than paint, but not as pretty as vernish. I have used both original orange Cetol (I don't like the color either) and the West Marine knockoff (Wood Pro or something like that). Over CPES, both are about as durable as a you can get with a clear finish. The West Marine stuff is a little cheaper, and more important, is a much better color, more brown than orange; it seems identical otherwise.

[Dave Hadfield]

I disagree. I've been using it for 7 years now on Drake (40ft LOD ketch), for the coaming boards and all masts and booms.

It looks great on the mhogany coaming boards, and great on the sitka spruce masts. Not very orange at all.

BUT I DIDN'T BUY THE MARINE STUFF. I don't like it. It doesn't wear as well as I'd like. Instead, I've been using the same stuff I paint onto my cedar-sided house -- that's "Cetol 1" on the bare wood, followed by "Cetol 2,3+" as a topcoat. The Cetol 1 goes in deep and prepares the surface for the Cetol 2,3+, which is a porous top-layer.

What's most rewarding about these 2 products is that you get a finish which is NOT too orange (mind you, I have no teak on my boat -- can't speak for teak), which can be done quickly (it does NOT take 7 coats) and which NEVER bubbles up off the wood (the water vapour makes its way through the topcoat, not held against the wood like varnish).

I get around the boat once every year -- one coat, and that seems to be plenty. That generates enough "She looks gorgeous!" comments to make me happy.

Tell you what, I'll try to resurrect that thread over on the designs page where I posted a lot of pictures of Drake, and you can judge for yourself.

[Dave Hadfield]

I disagree. I've been using it for 7 years now on Drake (40ft LOD ketch), for the coaming boards and all masts and booms.

It looks great on the mhogany coaming boards, and great on the sitka spruce masts. Not very orange at all.

BUT I DIDN'T BUY THE MARINE STUFF. I don't like it. It doesn't wear as well as I'd like. Instead, I've been using the same stuff I paint onto my cedar-sided house -- that's "Cetol 1" on the bare wood, followed by "Cetol 2,3+" as a topcoat. The Cetol 1 goes in deep and prepares the surface for the Cetol 2,3+, which is a porous top-layer.

What's most rewarding about these 2 products is that you get a finish which is NOT too orange (mind you, I have no teak on my boat -- can't speak for teak), which can be done quickly (it does NOT take 7 coats) and which NEVER bubbles up off the wood (the water vapour makes its way through the topcoat, not held against the wood like varnish).

I get around the boat once every year -- one coat, and that seems to be plenty. That generates enough "She looks gorgeous!" comments to make me happy.

Tell you what, I'll try to resurrect that thread over on the designs page where I posted a lot of pictures of Drake, and you can judge for yourself.

[Dave Hadfield]

I disagree. I've been using it for 7 years now on Drake (40ft LOD ketch), for the coaming boards and all masts and booms.

It looks great on the mhogany coaming boards, and great on the sitka spruce masts. Not very orange at all.

BUT I DIDN'T BUY THE MARINE STUFF. I don't like it. It doesn't wear as well as I'd like. Instead, I've been using the same stuff I paint onto my cedar-sided house -- that's "Cetol 1" on the bare wood, followed by "Cetol 2,3+" as a topcoat. The Cetol 1 goes in deep and prepares the surface for the Cetol 2,3+, which is a porous top-layer.

What's most rewarding about these 2 products is that you get a finish which is NOT too orange (mind you, I have no teak on my boat -- can't speak for teak), which can be done quickly (it does NOT take 7 coats) and which NEVER bubbles up off the wood (the water vapour makes its way through the topcoat, not held against the wood like varnish).

I get around the boat once every year -- one coat, and that seems to be plenty. That generates enough "She looks gorgeous!" comments to make me happy.

Tell you what, I'll try to resurrect that thread over on the designs page where I posted a lot of pictures of Drake, and you can judge for yourself.

[Jay Greer]

Oh God, you said the "C" word!

[Jay Greer]

Oh God, you said the "C" word!

[Jay Greer]

Oh God, you said the "C" word!

[uncas]

Bottom line.
Do what you want. You want cetol, use cetol. You want to do it right use varnish.
When one's mind is made up, there is nothing to say.
End of case...Good luck!

[ 03-27-2006, 10:03 PM: Message edited by: uncas ]

[uncas]

Bottom line.
Do what you want. You want cetol, use cetol. You want to do it right use varnish.
When one's mind is made up, there is nothing to say.
End of case...Good luck!

[ 03-27-2006, 10:03 PM: Message edited by: uncas ]

[uncas]

Bottom line.
Do what you want. You want cetol, use cetol. You want to do it right use varnish.
When one's mind is made up, there is nothing to say.
End of case...Good luck!

[ 03-27-2006, 10:03 PM: Message edited by: uncas ]

[Concordia..41]

I think to say that it's for people who don't care is harsh.

A. An old timer once told me, "It's your boat, you can put peanut butter on it if you want."

B. Some folks have a limited amount of time and have to choose between maintenance time and on-the-water time. For anyone that has a handful of weekends per year, even a few hours counts.

Don't get me wrong, there won't be a can of Cetol within a boat length of Sarah, but I used it on my first boat (because I saw a well kept boat that used it, asked what it was, and went with it before I knew the difference).

I also have a client that insists on it. (He doesn't know about the CPES he's sitting on, but whatever....). In this case it is a race boat that sees infrequent, but heavy use, and Cetol has been the perfect choice.

[Concordia..41]

I think to say that it's for people who don't care is harsh.

A. An old timer once told me, "It's your boat, you can put peanut butter on it if you want."

B. Some folks have a limited amount of time and have to choose between maintenance time and on-the-water time. For anyone that has a handful of weekends per year, even a few hours counts.

Don't get me wrong, there won't be a can of Cetol within a boat length of Sarah, but I used it on my first boat (because I saw a well kept boat that used it, asked what it was, and went with it before I knew the difference).

I also have a client that insists on it. (He doesn't know about the CPES he's sitting on, but whatever....). In this case it is a race boat that sees infrequent, but heavy use, and Cetol has been the perfect choice.

[Concordia..41]

I think to say that it's for people who don't care is harsh.

A. An old timer once told me, "It's your boat, you can put peanut butter on it if you want."

B. Some folks have a limited amount of time and have to choose between maintenance time and on-the-water time. For anyone that has a handful of weekends per year, even a few hours counts.

Don't get me wrong, there won't be a can of Cetol within a boat length of Sarah, but I used it on my first boat (because I saw a well kept boat that used it, asked what it was, and went with it before I knew the difference).

I also have a client that insists on it. (He doesn't know about the CPES he's sitting on, but whatever....). In this case it is a race boat that sees infrequent, but heavy use, and Cetol has been the perfect choice.

[Peter Malcolm Jardine]

I know I was a bit harsh :D ... I did a lot of cetol for pop... and a fresh six coats from bare wood looks good.... but it ain't gonna beat a nice gloss varnish. Mind you, I beat myself to death with varnish work.. :rolleyes: :D

My transom was done three years ago... and guess what needs serious refreshing.. (in my fanatic bent mind) :D

http://www.imagestation.com/picture/sraid86/p2f65ad04f911af884c11b645b8df6fb2/faacc1cc.jpg

[Peter Malcolm Jardine]

I know I was a bit harsh :D ... I did a lot of cetol for pop... and a fresh six coats from bare wood looks good.... but it ain't gonna beat a nice gloss varnish. Mind you, I beat myself to death with varnish work.. :rolleyes: :D

My transom was done three years ago... and guess what needs serious refreshing.. (in my fanatic bent mind) :D

http://www.imagestation.com/picture/sraid86/p2f65ad04f911af884c11b645b8df6fb2/faacc1cc.jpg

[Peter Malcolm Jardine]

I know I was a bit harsh :D ... I did a lot of cetol for pop... and a fresh six coats from bare wood looks good.... but it ain't gonna beat a nice gloss varnish. Mind you, I beat myself to death with varnish work.. :rolleyes: :D

My transom was done three years ago... and guess what needs serious refreshing.. (in my fanatic bent mind) :D

http://www.imagestation.com/picture/sraid86/p2f65ad04f911af884c11b645b8df6fb2/faacc1cc.jpg

[JimD]

Cetol Light isn't much lighter than Cetol regular. It has just about the same translucent iron oxide appearance. Cetol Clear seems to be as clear, shiney, and hard as any of the other one part clear coats.

[JimD]

Cetol Light isn't much lighter than Cetol regular. It has just about the same translucent iron oxide appearance. Cetol Clear seems to be as clear, shiney, and hard as any of the other one part clear coats.

[JimD]

Cetol Light isn't much lighter than Cetol regular. It has just about the same translucent iron oxide appearance. Cetol Clear seems to be as clear, shiney, and hard as any of the other one part clear coats.