Removing Oil marks from teak decks

[SVB]

Our outboard has leaked / dripped oil over the teak bathing platform (it is stored on a bracket so this has occured over an extended period).

Does anyone have some tips / methods to remove / reduce the staining?

thanks.

 

[mjf]

Keep applying white spirit until the oil is removed

 

[Pendana]

Don't know if it will totally remove the oil stains but I would try Wessex chemicals 2-part teak cleaner. It transformed the teak bathing platform of my boat that had been neglected for years. Truly amazing how much filth it removed. Leaves it that rich amber colour. Follow up after a couple of days with a coat of teak oil.

Eddie

 

[SVB]

Thanks for the reply mjf,

Isn't white spirt an oil based product rather than a solvent so would allow the oil to penetrate rather than be removed? Have you tried this before?

I don't mean to dismiss your idea but just to make sure it is taking me in the right direction before starting!

Thanks
Simon

 

[dingdongs]

try oxalic acid

 

[aquapower]

I have always used Semco teak cleaner its a two part process and think it comes from Onward trading

 

[mjf]

Thanks for the reply mjf,

Isn't white spirt an oil based product rather than a solvent so would allow the oil to penetrate rather than be removed? Have you tried this before?

I don't mean to dismiss your idea but just to make sure it is taking me in the right direction before starting!

Thanks
Simon

What the others say is fine if you want to treat the whole teak deck.

my reply is for spot cleaning like say a 2stroke oil leak onto the wood.

Yes I use it all the time to remove spot stains like crisps that fall onto the wood and other marks that water alone will not remove. The beauty of the spirit is that once dry there is no mark and the area matches that around it.

 

[VicS]

I agree clean off with white spirit.

Could try an emulsifying solvent such as Bilgex but I think I'd stick to white spirit. But if it has dripped partly burnt oil from the exhaust the black stain might be difficult to remove. Some detergent (washing up liquid) and a light scrub might help.

I dont think oxalic acid will help ... why should it ?

 

[nightjar]

Have had exactly the same problem recently; some idiot (me) forgot to turn off the fuel cock on the engine and it leaked nearly a whole tankful over the deck !!!!
Tried bilge cleaner, white spirit etc with limited success. Finally bought a bottle of Vanish in the supermarket (pink spray bottle) its for stain removing on clothes. Apply to stained area and allow to soak in; rinse off with water. Two applications did the business and it costs very little compared to marine cleaners.

 

[gjgm]

What the others say is fine if you want to treat the whole teak deck.

my reply is for spot cleaning like say a 2stroke oil leak onto the wood.

Yes I use it all the time to remove spot stains like crisps that fall onto the wood and other marks that water alone will not remove. The beauty of the spirit is that once dry there is no mark and the area matches that around it.

Aha, excellent.. must give it a go (or eat less crisps, which might also be a good idea)

 

[mjf]

but the worst is peanuts (now banned) as people bloody well stand on them (when they leave) too!

 

[DougH]

I use an aerosol which is intended to remove stains from clothes.

Cannot remember the name but is smells heavily of Ammonia and drys to a white powder when sprayed onto oil or grease spilt on teak.

It removes all traces and is widely used by the charter skippers in Mallorca.

When I go back to the boat I will get the name and attempt to see if it is available in the UK.

 

[VicS]

Finally bought a bottle of Vanish in the supermarket (pink spray bottle)

Was that
"Vanish Oxi Action Prewash Spray Stain Remover" or
"Vanish Pre-Wash Stain Remover Spray"

Both in pink bottles but probably no advantage in using the "Oxi action" one for this purpose.

 

[rafiki_]

I used a Karcher on my teak, and it came up a treat. I know some on here will say this is a definite no no, but I have had no problems as a consequence.

 

[Nick_H]

I use an aerosol which is intended to remove stains from clothes.

Cannot remember the name but is smells heavily of Ammonia and drys to a white powder when sprayed onto oil or grease spilt on teak.

It removes all traces and is widely used by the charter skippers in Mallorca.

When I go back to the boat I will get the name and attempt to see if it is available in the UK.

It's called K2R, widely available in the UK as well, probably very similar to the Vanish stuff mentioned above.

 

[AndieMac]

I used a Karcher on my teak, and it came up a treat. I know some on here will say this is a definite no no, but I have had no problems as a consequence.

I have always done the same, and got yelled at by forumites , but the more I read about it, I want to try some alternatives.
Even printed off a copy of the well known TCM post, "updated teak" from last year, although I can't find a local distributor for the Wessex cleaners.

 

[FunkyMonkey]

id say a jet washer as a one off... any kind of detergent is going to harm the teak just as much IMO; i have used a chemical called "grease Gobbler" in the past for a similar stain on wood, did the job but i needed to jet it as well as it was in the grain. i guess it would depend on the condition of the wood in the first instance.

anth