Boracol vs Patio Magic

[srah1953]

A different question on teak cleaning. Does anyone know what the difference in performance is between Boracol and Patio Magic? Patio Magic I can buy locally whereas Boracol will incur significant postage charge.
Thanks

 

[sailorman]

PM get rid if algae

 

[Stork_III]

Borocol is probably better, has a Fungicide and Algaecide, PM has only the same fungicide. But for the significantly lower price and ready availability PM does everything you want it to do. Neither restores the teak colour.

 

[pvb]

Boracol is the better product.

 

[maby]

Patio Magic users seem to be very happy with it. Boracol may last longer, but it is a lot more expensive. Thus far, we have used Boracol, but I recently picked up a small can of PM to try - ask again next year!

 

[FWB]

Have never tried Boracol.
I have used Patio Magic once a year for many years.
This is AFTER one year....

 

[srah1953]

Have never tried Boracol.
I have used Patio Magic once a year for many years.
This is AFTER one year....

pretty as a picture.
What way do you apply it? One or two coverings?
Thanks

 

[FWB]

pretty as a picture.
What way do you apply it? One or two coverings?
Thanks

Mix 4 water to 1 PM. Spray on dry teak with garden sprayer, leave and don't touch again. It's magic

 

[maby]

Mix 4 water to 1 PM. Spray on dry teak with garden sprayer, leave and don't touch again. It's magic

I prefer to brush it - it is quite toxic to marine life, so it is just responsible to do everything possible to minimise contamination

 

[FWB]

I prefer to brush it - it is quite toxic to marine life, so it is just responsible to do everything possible to minimise contamination

I spray it on the teak not on the sea.

 

[maby]

I spray it on the teak not on the sea.

Unless you are using a model maker's airbrush, it is pretty difficult to spray right up to the edges without some overspray! I can cover a lot of teak very quickly with a decent size brush and no run-off into the marina.

 

[FWB]

Unless you are using a model maker's airbrush, it is pretty difficult to spray right up to the edges without some overspray! I can cover a lot of teak very quickly with a decent size brush and no run-off into the marina.

It goes on the teak, not in the water. Can't see your problem.

 

[l'escargot]

I get less run off with a fine garden spray - get better coverage too so less wastage means less running off into the marina.

 

[Mistroma]

It goes on the teak, not in the water. Can't see your problem.

Active ingredient is extremely toxic to marine life so brushing helps minimise run-off (+ cheap and quick). Best to apply pre-launch where minimal run-off would probably bind with clay in soil or at least take a longer route to the sea. Only apply in dry conditions to give it a chance to bind to the teak instead of just washing off.

I last used it about 2 years ago and will probably brush on some more this year as I can see 2 small greenish spots developing.

 

[dje67]

I've used both over the last 5 years and couldn't see any advantage of one over the other in terms of keeping the deck very clean looking. As per the lovely photos earlier in the thread, it keeps the teak almost white with no need to do any cleaning whatsoever.

 

[srah1953]

What I find curious is that people show pictures of a clean deck after a period of months or a year (whether treated with boracol or PM), whereas on my boat any surface that gets walked on gets quickly dirty, either from shoes or dirt in the air.

 

[maby]

What I find curious is that people show pictures of a clean deck after a period of months or a year (whether treated with boracol or PM), whereas on my boat any surface that gets walked on gets quickly dirty, either from shoes or dirt in the air.

I do wash the deck periodically with mild soap and a very soft brush, but that alone will not keep teak clean. A lot of the dark stains that develop on any unvarnished teak are mildew and you need a fungicide like Boracol or Patio Magic to clear that.

 

[longjohnsilver]

Surprised that no one has mentioned Algon. That's what I use, and very effective it is too.

 

[maby]

Surprised that no one has mentioned Algon. That's what I use, and very effective it is too.

never heard of it! I will research it - Boracol is good, but very expensive!

 

[charles_reed]

Patio Magic - http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Benzalkonium_chloride
Boracol - http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Disodium_octaborate_tetrahydrate
Algon is ethanoic acid, might work on some algae, but will (from reports) be more hit 7 miss.

Take your pick, I'd use the less expensive. Benzalkonium chloride is more widely used in more applications. Both are highly toxic to marine organisms.