MY PLATFORM IS GETTING REALLY LIKE DRY AND WHITE COLORED BECAUSE A LACK OF OIL IN IT. DO I OR CAN I STAIN MY PLATFORM AND IF YES SHOULD I DO IT BEFORE OR AFTER I OIL IT.

Starbrite (at most marine stores)makes a 3 step system, a cleaner, whitener, and oil. If you follow the directions, your platform will come out great. <BR>

I detail boats and we have used the starbrite and we didn't like it as much as the meguiars. But I tried the tropical oil/sealer from starbrite ita little costs a little more but I like it better than just plain oil, and its supposed to last longer than oil.

ok so no stain at all

From what I've heard it is one or the other, stain or oil. Stain will not take if there is oil in the wood and oil will not be absorbed if the teak is stained. Oil is supposed to be better for the wood, as teak has its own natural oils. Also, I think that teak staining is recommended for applications that will not be IN the water, like a swim platform is. It is more for sailboat decks. <BR> <BR>With that said, I used a three step system from West Marine last year and the wood was white and fuzzy after just a couple weeks. This year I used the Starbrite 3 step system, but after the cleaner and brightener, I sanded the whole platform with a random orbital sander and 120 grit paper. After thoroughly rinsing it and letting it dry for a couple days I oiled it. This was all about 3 weeks ago and the teak still looks brand new. Definitely worth the effort.

I just stained my platform and it looks great. I power washed it and then sanded it down smooth. I stained it a color that was as close to the original color of the platform (before it dried out and turned grey). So far everything is looking how I want and it seems that it will be lower maintenance.