Teak Swim Deck

I know this subject is in the archives, but I don't have time to search. How do you get the teak to shine again? Is it ok to sand it down and refinish?

yes

Light sand + Teak Oil.

I have been thinking about this lately because teak is in need of some TLC. Has anyone ever tried to spray diluted bleach like in a spray bottle on their teak to bring back that golden color. My teak is starting to get dark almost like a cherry wood color.

Several companies offer teak kits which contain a cleaning chemical, a neutralizing chemical, and the teak oil. I just ordered one and haven't used it yet but i have seen many pics from people who have and it seems to be the way to go.

I have used the teak "kit" form Starbright. Makes the teak look like brand new. Careful getting it on your hands. The chemical will burn your skin. As I found out the hard way.

I used the teak "kit" once as well, I don't think it made any difference. Just do a light sand and apply the oil. It looked exactly the same as using the kit. I think it's just one more money grab...

Definitely go with the Starbright teak kit. We use this on the decks of our Grand Banks trawler and it works quite well. Sanding everytime is much too laborious.

I have never tried this so do some more research. I read somewhere on this website of a guy that took off the teak platform , sanded it and then stained it. The thing looked brand new. I think he then oiled and sealed it but not sure. I think it was under the winter projects thread.

I know one thing those Starbright Kits are a rip man. All they do is burn the skin and make your platform look good for 10 min.

I found that Before the season I oil the platform and after the season I oil the platform. That wood is real sensitive to light and will dry out real quick

Here is a 15 yr old teak platform that has been sanded and stained with an Olympic natural deck stain. I lighty sand and restain at the end of every season and it looks like this all year long!

Poweerwash it first to get the impurities out of the grain, like dirt, oil and mold. If you don't, it you will just push it into the grain further when you sand. Then sand with 100 grit usine a palmsander, followed by 100 grit. Teak oil, at least 2 applications...will look good as new.

The problem I had with Teak oil was that you had to re-apply it about every 2-3 trips to the lake, and after every application the first person on the deck got oil all over the bottom of thier ski... By using a stain and protectant it doesn't wear off and only needs to be reapplied once a year.

I have had boats with teak platforms sitting in the water/sun/outside for about 20 years. Here is my suggestion for do's/dont's with teak platforms.

Cover them from the sun with your boat cover or have a seperate cover made just for the platform.

I don't like to use a pressure washer, it tends to remove the pulp from the grain making the surfact too rough and possibly more apt to produce a sliver.

Don't varnish or stain the teak. Teak naturally releases oil causing the greying, simply replenish the oil with a good teak oil. More oil if you want it darker. Varnish and stain interfere with the teak's ability to absorb oil and cleaning.

Use a 2 step cleaner as somebody else mentioned above once a season. Follow up the day after with the oil, re-oil as needed.

Teak is almost industructable, you can fix almost anything with a little sanding. I use my platform as a bumper sometimes (loading houseboat). The belt sander comes out when things get really ugly, 120 grit belt (80 for deep nicks/chunks missing). I sanded through the plugs on my last platform.

That M/C platform on Kstate's boat looks nice but it might become too orange for me after a couple seasons as the stain would start to build up.

(Message edited by mikeski on March 14, 2005)

(Message edited by mikeski on March 14, 2005)

I did not even think about using a pressure washer. Thanks THEGMAN. I spent all day Sunday trying to sand out scratches and residue. Oh yeah, reagrding my first post the bleach thing did not work.

Lance,

As Mikeski points out, use caution when using a power washer, and don't use anything above 2100 PSI.

Fortunately teak is a very hard wood, hence one of the reasons it is used so often on boats. However, it will gouge (burn) the grain if you get too close to the surface you are cleaning.

After you finish powerwashing, let the platform dry and you will notice the surface will be "furry", then sand and oil liberally with a quality teak oil, let sit for 10 mins. and then wipe the extra "pooled" oil with a clean, dry cloth until completely dry. Let it sit for 24 hours before you get the platform wet again. The wood will absorb all of the oil and should not rub off on anything that comes in contact with it.

I have had great success with this process, but know that you will have to oil it once a month or so to keep it looking good.

Also...and to another point by Mikeski...teak oil will keep your platform teak, which I think looks great. Stains tend to change the color over time and build up residue in the wood grain.