Recommendations for finishing teak

Leave bare and allow to go grey, or International Woodskin if you want bright. Make sure you clean and degrease thoroughly first.
 
eddystone said:
OK so what would you do - use soft toothbrush or just wipe with cleaning agent (I'm talking about removing accumulated crud from the grain)
Click to expand...
I use Wessex Chemicals' 2-stage cleaner at the beginning of the season and that's it.

Dilute 10:1 with water. Apply each part with a great big sloppy big carwashing sponge and gently wipe (not scrub) accross the grain. Use a hose without a handgun on the end, to gently wash each part off.

Scrubbing brushes or powerwashers remove the soft fibres from the grain, leaving it ridged.

Hope this helps.
 
As already said, never scrub with anything. Use a chemical cleaner if it is really dirty, but in most cases that is not necessary either - most of the apparent "dirt" is actually mould or mildew - a fungal growth that stains the wood - kill the fungus and it will wash away leaving a silver-grey deck. The chemical cleaners kill the mould, but typically don't do much to prevent regrowth. Fungicides like Boracol or the cheaper Patio Magic kill the mould and prevent regrowth for a period of time - up to a year, possibly more. The fungicides are less agressive than the teak cleaners and do not produce immediate results - you apply them and the deck looks clean a week or two later but stays clean for many months.

We applied two coats of Boracol in the summer, following the instructions - one coat leaving the wood looking wet, let it dry, then a second coat. You then wait two or three weeks, lightly moistening the deck from time to time to help the fungicide soak deep into the wood - much of the "dirt" simply fades away. At the end of those three weeks, wash the deck with warm water and a mild soap - we used baby shampoo - don't use any stiff brush, a simple mop is fine. That removes the remaining dead fungus and you are left with a beautiful silver grey deck.

Patio Magic is cheaper than Boracol and reportedly works as well. There are questions over how long it lasts - Boracol contains two active ingredients - Patio Magic only contains one - the one that is potentially shorter lived.
 
maby said:
As already said, never scrub with anything. Use a chemical cleaner if it is really dirty, but in most cases that is not necessary either - most of the apparent "dirt" is actually mould or mildew - a fungal growth that stains the wood - kill the fungus and it will wash away leaving a silver-grey deck. The chemical cleaners kill the mould, but typically don't do much to prevent regrowth. Fungicides like Boracol or the cheaper Patio Magic kill the mould and prevent regrowth for a period of time - up to a year, possibly more. The fungicides are less agressive than the teak cleaners and do not produce immediate results - you apply them and the deck looks clean a week or two later but stays clean for many months.

We applied two coats of Boracol in the summer, following the instructions - one coat leaving the wood looking wet, let it dry, then a second coat. You then wait two or three weeks, lightly moistening the deck from time to time to help the fungicide soak deep into the wood - much of the "dirt" simply fades away. At the end of those three weeks, wash the deck with warm water and a mild soap - we used baby shampoo - don't use any stiff brush, a simple mop is fine. That removes the remaining dead fungus and you are left with a beautiful silver grey deck.

Patio Magic is cheaper than Boracol and reportedly works as well. There are questions over how long it lasts - Boracol contains two active ingredients - Patio Magic only contains one - the one that is potentially shorter lived.
Click to expand...

Patio magic lasts over a year on my boat.
 
Little Star said:
Hi everyone

Am restoring the deck teak work on my boat.....what do people recommend for finishing after being cleaned

Thanks
Click to expand...

If you really must clean, I recommend wine after you finish. Whiskey if the boat is particularly large. Varnish if you don't really like sailing...
 
We cleaned our teak with soapy water and a sponge, then flushed with fresh water. As said do not use a pressure washer it removes all the grain. Do not use teak oil from chandlers it contains castor oil and the teak goes black caused by UV light. There is pure teak oil but it is expensive. Also as said I would put nothing on it and leave it to go grey.
 
Little Star said:
Thanks pub...would you recommend this for handrails,weather boards etc
Click to expand...

I have used Cetol-light pine for many years, as Tranona has said it is now marketed as International Woodskin, I understand. Cetol (Novatech/Novatop) can still be got and may be a bit cheaper than the boaty stuff, but probably not by much. Three coats is the max you need and it is very clean and easy to apply and to touch up.

My teak capping on the bulwarks seemed to be weathering a little too much, when left to go gray, particulary forward where it took most spray.
 
For rinsing my teak I often use the pressure washer with the power switched off. The lance provides a nice soft fan of water which is excellent for 'sweeping' any dirt away. I imagine plenty of people have seen me at this and tut-tutted, thinking I'm blasting it to oblivion.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.

Share this page

Top