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Catalina/Capri 25/250 Sailor's Forums

General Sailing Forum

Red Oak - best finish?

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britinusa
Web Editor

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USA
5404 Posts

Initially Posted - 09/11/2005 : 18:14:45

Just finished making a new magazine rack for joint decision.
Plan is to mount it on the fwd side of the head bulkhead. (so it faces fwd above the port cabin seat.)

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It's made of solid red oak glued and (copper) nailed, not sure what would be the best finish to apply.
Teak Oil, varnish ???

Joint Decision. (Sold)
PO C250WB 2005 Sail # 841.

Moved up to C34 Eximius

Updated August 2015

Edited by - on

GeorgeB
1st Mate

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90 Posts

Response Posted - 09/11/2005 : 19:47:43

Paul,

You have done a nice piece of work, It'll make a great addition to the boat. IMHO you have two things to consider, what the finish of the bulkhead is, and the open grain of the red oak. If you have an oiled bulkhead, I'd suggest many coats of a danish oil finish. Othewise sanding sealer, then varnish. Good luck!

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thaind
Navigator

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Canada
145 Posts

Response Posted - 09/11/2005 : 22:23:46

I use a lot of the coarse grained woods like oak, ash, elm and hickory. The Danish oil or Minwax Antique oil finishes are hard to beat except that they don't fill the grain and will leave an orange peel like texture. A lot of woodworkers will apply a heavy first coat and then sand with a 320 or 400 grit wet/dry sandpaper, wiping off across the grain with a cloth. A light sanding when dry before subsequent coats being careful not to sand through the filled layer will leave a very smooth finish especialy on the end grain.

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pjeffarch
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USA
135 Posts

Response Posted - 09/11/2005 : 23:06:55

I've been very happy with multiple coates of Cetol on my teak and other woods. Try it out first! Just give it a shot, along with other finishes or even teak oil, on any scrap oak you may have, preferable from the same lot as the shelves. With the test you can view all finishes side by side to make the pick of what looks best to you.

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MattL
Admiral

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USA
990 Posts

Response Posted - 09/12/2005 : 01:30:17

OK, this is not what you want to hear, but the first thing that came to mind when I saw the thread title is...

When in college, long ago, I was a fermintation science major. One of the required classes was plant sanatation. It was taught by an old Welshman that was the head of the brewing dept. Since he was in sort of a rival dept. he loathed anyone from Enology. When asked the best way to finish wood his instant response was, "Burn it."

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MattL
Admiral

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USA
990 Posts

Response Posted - 09/12/2005 : 01:31:11

Oh, I forgot to say, great job on the rack.

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britinusa
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5404 Posts

Response Posted - 09/12/2005 : 05:56:01

Thanks everyone, I'll test on some of the scraps.

and Matt... I guess it really showed the Welshman's Metal

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Gloss
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
1916 Posts

Response Posted - 09/12/2005 : 07:16:17

I'll admit I'm not the smartest guy (only two BS and one MS degree, so I'm well versed in BS) and have never heard of "Enology", nor can I find it in my dictionary.

So what is it?

BTW, I'm one of those folks who don't like the orange look of Cetol.

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Buzz Maring
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
1775 Posts

Response Posted - 09/12/2005 : 07:53:14

Hi Paul,

'Nice work on the magazine rack!

Since you rarely (if ever) need to worry about UV protection inside the boat, my personal favorite is marine spar varnish ... it protects the wood, and I think it leaves a really nice finish.

The secret to successfully applying marine spar varnish is to do many light coats ... make sure you let it thoroughly dry, lightly sand between coats (3M pads work great), wipe off the dust, then put on a thin coat of varnish ... it's worth the effort.

Good luck ... be sure to take some photos of the finished job!

Edited by - on

Frank Hopper
Past Commodore

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Pitcairn Island
6776 Posts

Response Posted - 09/12/2005 : 08:45:13

Paul,
I use red oak to test my construction design then I build it again in teak. Do you have a problem finding teak?
Your rack could be built using teak battens which are not expensive.
The biggest finish issue for we 25 owners is matching the red color of the aged burmese teak in our boats. All the new teak I have looks like light walnut.

PS Another reason to use the teak battens is the edges are pre-quarter-rounded, so for but-end consruction the finished product looks very nice.

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britinusa
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USA
5404 Posts

Response Posted - 09/12/2005 : 10:49:28

Frank, I read that too, I had to let it fermint a while.
I wondered if it was an example of slydexia?

Exactly what is a fermintation science major?
Oh, of course... studying beer and wine at college level!
(Somebody has to do it!)

Edited by - on

Derek Crawford
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
3324 Posts

Response Posted - 09/12/2005 : 11:55:42

It's actually spelt "oenology" (one of those stupid English dipthongs) and it only means "study of wine". (I don't often study it - just drink it!

)
Derek

Edited by - on

bobmac
1st Mate

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USA
47 Posts

Response Posted - 09/12/2005 : 11:55:43

Nice Rack ! you should submit it too www.ratemyrack.com

Flopper! - you use red oak just to test-run your designs? !
Why not spruce, pine or some "less expensive" product ?

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Gloss
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
1916 Posts

Response Posted - 09/12/2005 : 13:39:21

are stupid English dipthongs what fat english guys wear while on vacation at the beach?

Back in college I drank some cheap wines (Mad Dog) which probably could be used instead of Cetol.

I have stained oak with Minwax oil based stain(forgot the shade) to match the teak on my boat. I use several coats to let it soak in well, because if the wood chips, it really looks bad and touch up is a bear.

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Dave Bristle
Master Marine Consultant

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Djibouti
10005 Posts

Response Posted - 09/12/2005 : 13:52:51

Cute, Bob, but would you edit out that link? I think it's a little over the line here. (Don't ask how I know...)

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Gloss
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
1916 Posts

Response Posted - 09/12/2005 : 16:32:31

I agree with Dave. Maybe that link on racks shouldn't be here. I have no personal objections to the content, but it isn't appropriate for this forum. Besides, lots of bad viruses, spyware, and other nasty computer stuff lurk on these sites, and I would hate for our site to be infected.

but I did appreciate the humor intended.

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Happy D
Admiral

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921 Posts

Response Posted - 09/12/2005 : 17:16:37

My favorite finish is Zar finishes. I love the way they go on and just look beautiful. I donated ALL of my Minwax finishes to the garbage collector.
Try the Zar stains once and you'll never go back.
Dan

Edited by - on

MattL
Admiral

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USA
990 Posts

Response Posted - 09/13/2005 : 16:07:26

Frank,
It is the study of wine making. The teachers at the college I went to spelled it enology, they said that the fancy wine writers that don't know very much spell it oenology. I only have the one BS. My wife on the other hand is working on her second Masters.

Edited by - on

Derek Crawford
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
3324 Posts

Response Posted - 09/13/2005 : 16:22:39

"The teachers at the college I went to spelled it enology"
Another example of the dumbing down of American education.

Derek

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ClamBeach
Master Marine Consultant

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3072 Posts

Response Posted - 09/13/2005 : 18:01:43

Hmmm... I clicked on the link provided.

Spent 7-1/2 hours looking, never did find another magazine rack.
Sure gave it the college try though. ;>)

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Gloss
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
1916 Posts

Response Posted - 09/13/2005 : 21:37:24

thanks for the edumacation on wine making. I'm only up to drinking.

So Matt, two masters. Cool. What are they in?

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Frank Hopper
Past Commodore

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Pitcairn Island
6776 Posts

Response Posted - 09/14/2005 : 07:27:50

I practice with red oak because it is hard like teak so I feel it acts like teak when it is cut and nailed.

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