Before the wood on your boat was processed and placed there, it was insulated from the elements by a thick coat of bark. But what’s protecting it now? An old coat of varnish that’s past its prime? Unprotected wood’s natural oils can carry it for only so long before the ravages of people, pollution, and pounding weather cause dulling, dirtying, and delamination.

We all want good-looking wood on our boats. The choice of whether and what to use to preserve and protect it depends on the type, location, color, depth, and gloss you’re going for, and how much time and money you want to spend on the project. This guide aims to help determine the best wood finish for your project needs to minimize wasted efforts and products.

Varnishing is the most common way to finish wood, but others include applying teak oils, teak sealers, and synthetic marine wood finishes. If you decide to use varnish, we’ll give you some great tips. And you’ll learn about our line of TotalBoat varnishes - Lust, Gleam, and Halcyon - that let you DIY in just over a day to get a super glossy brightwork shine that requires no between-coat sanding.