Cheapskates guide to Teak Cleaning.

[oldgit]

Best budget method of removing engine oil/ crisp/ biscuit stains from Teak Decking.
Not the least bit interested in "brightening" it up with marina magic potions costing more than Chanel No5.
Happy with just a good overall patina of uniform dullness.

 

[MAURICE]

Easy Oxalic acid buy on the line mix with water in a bucket swill it on the deck don't scrub leave for 10 mins or so and wash off done

 

[Refueler]

I second Oxalic as its a bleaching agent used by restorers of stained furniture / woodwork.

Another is Oven Cleaner ...

Once done ... treat with any good Patio / Decking stain ... no need for fancy stuff. Once done - you just give light sanding each season and a quick coat .. its usually water based so easy clean brushes etc.

 

[thinwater]

One of the general rules of cleaning is that you can't remove a stain without making a clean spot.

Something to consider is that each application of oxalic acid removes about 0.01 inches of teak, as reported by two of the manufacturers and several boat builders. Do this too regularly and you will be replacing decks.

Ammonia also works reasonably well, not as effective but with considerably less errosion.

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Scrub with something mild or just seawater, and wear dark glasses. It's a floor, not jewelry.

 

[Skylark]

I always thought that conventional wisdom described the process of cheapskates teak cleaning as “a long beat to windward in a good blow”.

 

[Refueler]

One of the general rules of cleaning is that you can't remove a stain without making a clean spot.

Something to consider is that each application of oxalic acid removes about 0.01 inches of teak, as reported by two of the manufacturers and several boat builders. Do this too regularly and you will be replacing decks.

Ammonia also works reasonably well, not as effective but with considerably less errosion.

---

Scrub with something mild or just seawater, and wear dark glasses. It's a floor, not jewelry.

That is why I suggested treating the teak after cleaning to reduce the future staining / deterioration of surface teak.

 

[winch2]

Washing powder mixed in a bowl of warm water for the grease, then rinse and scrub with salt water.

 

[GEM43]

I never put “teak’ and ‘scrub” in the same sentence.

 

[dunedin]

I always thought that conventional wisdom described the process of cheapskates teak cleaning as “a long beat to windward in a good blow”.

That! Use Patio Magic to remove any green marks, and allow anything else to weather off.
Personally would never ever scrub, brush or abrade a mark, as generally they go with time if decent teak

 

[johnalison]

Do nothing. I have had everything from diesel to red wine on mine and it always washes itself out in time, usually a week or two.

 

[Refueler]

Many people know I have a personal dislike of silvered / weathered Teak .... I love its rich colour and feel when treated to retain its richness ..

 

[oldgit]

Thanks all , it would appear be a case of squeezing a little Fairy and some gentle rubbing..................

 

[Fr J Hackett]

Well if you can find a little fairy and do some gentle rubbing don't be surprised at the results

 

[oldgit]

We live in hope ?

 

[RunAgroundHard]

For the oil stain pour hot water onto the stain, about a kettle worth, then pour over dry salt until it mounds up and stops soaking up water. Use common table salt from one of the household bulk dispensers. Leave that for a while. Next use laundry detergent, dry powder after re wetting and again piling up on the stain.

Sometimes a mix of salt and laundry powder gently, lightly scrubbed in with a soft brush like the small, wooden handle disposable rushes for epoxy work can be used.

Maybe do the laundry powder first, then salt. Also instead of wetting out with hot water, use steam from either a steam wand or a wallpaper stripper pad to heat and wet out the stain.

The objective is to wet out the oil, break up the oil and for the salt to draw out the residue.

Similar methods on carpets to remove stains.

Good luck with your efforts.

 

[EdgarCove]

Maybe eat less biscuits and crisps and drink less engine oil ?

 

[Refueler]

For the oil stain pour hot water onto the stain, about a kettle worth, then pour over dry salt until it mounds up and stops soaking up water. Use common table salt from one of the household bulk dispensers. Leave that for a while. Next use laundry detergent, dry powder after re wetting and again piling up on the stain.

Sometimes a mix of salt and laundry powder gently, lightly scrubbed in with a soft brush like the small, wooden handle disposable rushes for epoxy work can be used.

Maybe do the laundry powder first, then salt. Also instead of wetting out with hot water, use steam from either a steam wand or a wallpaper stripper pad to heat and wet out the stain.

The objective is to wet out the oil, break up the oil and for the salt to draw out the residue.

Similar methods on carpets to remove stains.

Good luck with your efforts.

Did you know that Laundry Detergent and Washing Up Liquid actually use Salt (Sodium Chloride) in their formulation ?

 

[winch2]

I never put “teak’ and ‘scrub” in the same sentence.

Yesd quite right, poor choice of word. But the amount of grnd in bird poop in our cockpit teak takes a bit more than a gentle wipe. Anyway I only 'scrub' across the grain with a soft brush.

 

[Fr J Hackett]

Did you know that Laundry Detergent and Washing Up Liquid actually use Salt (Sodium Chloride) in their formulation ?

Yes, do you know why?

 

[davidej]

I’ve found a few weeks non treatment with sunshine and seawater removes all teak stains without removing any of the wood.

But I do like like the weathered silver look .