is this teak

[ShaunG]

i put a post on PBO that may have been better here, i am trying to identify if the cockpit seat is made of teak (can't trust the previous owners to have used the right stuff. After i posted in PBO i realised that the knowledge on wood is probably far higher here.

If you can help, the post with the photo is here

http://www.ybw.com/forums/showthread.php?t=233111

thanks

shaung

 

[burgundyben]

Incompetance has enabled me to post a reply to the wrong thread!

Nothing to see here!

 

[Kilter]

Iroko I believe

 

[lesweeks]

I agree, almost certainly Iroko - 'Poor Man'sTeak' - but still a very sound alternative to Teak. I'm using lots of the stuff.

 

[121]

I would stake my house on it definitely not being oak!!

Iroko or Teak, it's age would probably be a good indicator; recent introduction (within last 20 years or so) I would lean toward Iroko I would think, later and it might be Teak.

Other advice to smell seems reasonable, sanding without a mask and rendering you to a snivelling sneezing wreck would indicate Teak!!

 

[Tranona]

Looking at your photo, if it is a veneer about 2-3mm thick then it is probably teak. Commonly used to skin cockpit seats etc.

Anyway, whether it is iroko or teak the choice of treatment is the same - wash it down regularly to get the airborne dirt out of it. Check where the caulking is coming out to make sure water is not getting underneath it. You can tell if it takes a long time to dry near the seams. If it is lifting then dry completely and squirt some Sika underneath, put weights on while it sets and re-caulk.