Teak cleaning

[Guest]

Does anybody have any cut-price recipes for teak cleaners. The SeaBrite product contains sodium hypochlrite and sodium hydroxide, I think and the product works quite well. Are these chemicals available at other than yacht-chandlers' prices anywhere?

 

[petery]

The chemicals are 'bleach' and 'caustic soda' and are available generally under those names at hardware stores ... but caustic soda is very corrosive and the concentration used is obviously important. Sodium Hypochlorite ( bleach) is relatively safe.

 

[stuartw]

I have just done a teak bathing platform last w/end. All I used was some low foam washing powder(for automatic machines) dissolved in hot water and a stiff brissled brush (not wire). Came up a treat. Rinsed down (with scrubbing), then finished off with a wood lightner-containing oxalic acid- to remove the dark stains, then a final rinse. It looks like new now.
I have used Starbright products in the past, but my method is just as good and a lot less hazardous, and cheaper.

 

[ccscott49]

I mix my own, with thick household bleach (sodium hypochlrite) and a small amount of caustic soda (sodium hydroxide) with some washing up liquid to destroy the waters surface tension, this works a treat, then use a solution of oxalic acid, which is the teak brightener you buy for loads of cash. For my annual clean I mix 5 gallons of the stuff! Saves a lot of money.

 

[Guest]

Re: Thanks

Great responses, thank you to you all. it might be a minor question, but this is the forum at its best, three very clear and useful answers within hours.

(A bit embarrassing that I didn't remember "bleach" and "caustic soda" from high school chemistry, but then I think I am beginning to suffer from CRAFT (Can't Remember A F****** Thing)

Any thoughts on SAILING CRAFT?