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…Needed to strip old varnish off of a vintage entry table and stripper wasn’t even close to being enough.
Vanessa Pilar GehrelsView all testimonials

Catalina Sailboat Teak Brightwork — Finish Stripping

Laser teak-stripping on a Catalina sailboat in Richmond CA: failed topcoat removed, grain intact, ready to re-oil. No sanding, no gouging.

Photos

The Boat: Well-Built, Finish Compromised

Angela and her husband purchased this Catalina in excellent structural condition. The teak interior was sound, but the previous owner had applied a water-based finish over the original oil — a combination that lifts and clouds rather than curing properly. See the Preparation page for why this combination fails.
…Needed to strip old varnish off of a vintage entry table and stripper wasn’t even close to being enough.

Before: Cabin Door — Failed Topcoat

The cabin door showed the water-based finish most clearly — milky patches where the film had lifted off the oily teak substrate. Sanding would remove wood material; chemical strippers risk grain staining. Laser cleaning ablates only the topcoat.
…We needed something stronger but not something that would destroy the wood.

Detail: Finish Delamination at Door Edge

Edge grain is where water-based failure is most visible — the finish had separated cleanly from the wood surface, confirming the adhesion incompatibility. This edge required lower energy passes to avoid heating the thin cross-grain section.
…So we contacted Z-Beam Laser.

Bulkhead Panels: Methodical Section Work

The cabin bulkhead panels were worked in sections to maintain consistent pass overlap across the grain. Each panel was inspected between passes — teak's natural silica content means finish lift-off is visible immediately as the surface shifts from milky to warm honey-brown.
…The owner was able to accommodate our schedule and brought over their powerful laser tool.

After: Engine Cover — Clean Grain Restored

The engine cover teak came out with open grain and no residue — exactly the surface condition needed before applying a penetrating oil finish. No sanding required; the laser left the wood dimensionally unchanged.
…This laser is amazing at tackling intricate woodwork designs, such as the one on our table.

Ready for Refinishing

With the failed water-based topcoat removed from all interior brightwork, Angela's Catalina is ready for a proper teak oil application. The wood surface is clean, dry, and open — conditions that allow the oil to penetrate rather than sit on top.
…Stripper and sandpaper would have been long, tedious, backbreaking work.
…Stripper and sandpaper would have been long, tedious, backbreaking work.
Vanessa Pilar GehrelsView all testimonials
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