Mahogany vs Teak

SS MAYFLOAT

Admiral
Joined
May 17, 2001
Messages
6,372
The railing around my rear deck is Teak. It has been been sanded so much that the mounting screws are showing through. With it getting thinner, it seems to be weak. Just affraid that it could break if someone was off balanced and put their weight on it. So I plan to replace it.<br /><br />In my scrap pile of wood, I have several pieces of mahogany with some pretty grain. I plan to use this instead of Teak. Question is, "Should I use a exterior poly, or an oil sealer like you would use on teak?<br /><br />Also, how will the mahogany stand up to exterior use? Thanks SS
 

crab bait

Captain
Joined
Feb 5, 2002
Messages
3,831
Re: Mahogany vs Teak

i am so glad to answer this question..<br /><br />mohog is my favorite wood..it's a whole lot prettier than teak,,imho..it works better an doesn't dull tools..like teak .. cause teak is mostly silicone.. that's why it last forever.. but mohog last almost forever..<br /><br />but it must be REAL mohog ... all types but phillipinne... which it not mohog at all .. an has the rot stave off as pine..<br /><br />to have a maintenance free woodwork.. apply a coat or two of 'thin 'epoxy .. scuff sand ,,wash with a 50/50 water/ammonia mix to remove any wax..<br />from the scuff sanded epoxy..<br /><br />an apply multi coats of varnish .. minn. 3 coats..<br /><br />must varish cause the only thing that hurts epoxy is uv.. <br /><br />if this is done,, the varish will never 'pop' 'crack' 'lift' or 'peel'.. <br /><br />it's the only way to go..
 

SS MAYFLOAT

Admiral
Joined
May 17, 2001
Messages
6,372
Re: Mahogany vs Teak

Thanks Crab bait,<br /><br />I had paid 50 cents for an old door frame from an old early 1800's house that had burnt. It had several dozen coats of paint on them. They were true 1x6x84. I thin cut the painted surface down to 7/8, then run them thru the planner. Then realized what I had found. <br /><br />Do I have to wash the wood since I am down to virgin wood?<br /><br /> Just wished I had enough to do the rest of my wood trim. :(
 

roscoe

Supreme Mariner
Joined
Oct 30, 2002
Messages
21,799
Re: Mahogany vs Teak

I made the same mistake whan reading the post. Crab bait says to epoxy. Then scuff sand, then wash.
 

JB

Honorary Moderator Emeritus
Joined
Mar 25, 2001
Messages
45,907
Re: Mahogany vs Teak

Howdy, Mayfloat.<br /><br />While I really like the look of freshly varnished Mahog, I prefer all teak.<br /><br />Harder to work with and more expensive, yes. But teak wont rot. Even the best, Honduran mahogany will rot. Also, there are at least a dozen varieties of hardwood of widely varying quality marketed as mahogany. <br /><br />The few pieces of mahogany on my BW Montauk have all required replacement due to rot. All of the original teak is still there and still in good shape.<br /><br />I would guess that your old door was first rate Honduran Mahogany. I would still use teak.
 

crab bait

Captain
Joined
Feb 5, 2002
Messages
3,831
Re: Mahogany vs Teak

but if you epoxy coat first then varish.. the mohog will be a family heirloom before it rots..an it'll look beautiful the whole time doin'it.. <br /><br />teak's problemsome to keep right..
 
Top