Teak decks - again

[johnalison]

We went down to look at the boat the other day and were struck by the difference between our decks and those of our sister-ship next-door. Both looked identical a few months ago but I put another dose of Polycel mould-killer on in the autumn. Boracol and other products do the same, but it does show how effective they are. I'm not really feeling smug because I know our neighbour will be looking immaculate again by the spring.

 

[sarabande]

I don't want to spoil your contentment, but Polycell mould killer is pretty lethal to fish and marine life.

The ICI help line and technical reference people suggest that it should not be used near any form of animal life, especially water.

This is not a personal attack , just a concern that the use of some boaty products can have unintended negative consequences for marine wild life.


I do not know of a "safe" cleaner for algae. Does anyone have info please ?

 

[pvb]

Yes, it's good stuff isn't it? Best of all, it's virtually no work.

 

[mobeydick]

"I do not know of a "safe" cleaner for algae. Does anyone have info please ?"

Yes, seawater. A regular bucket over the deck helps to keep algae away.

(I can sell you some Bottled Seawater, from pristine sources off the coast of rugged cliffs in Scotland, over 3 million years old, carefully collected and bottled for discriminating consumers?)

 

[LadyJessie]

[ QUOTE ]
I do not know of a "safe" cleaner for algae. Does anyone have info please ?

[/ QUOTE ]Salt water and a brush. Gives you some good exercise as well. The salt crystals are very good for the teak and will prolong its life, not so sure that Polycell will not do the opposite.

 

[sarabande]

Damn ! I had a whole bucket of the stuff yesterday and tipped it up by accident. I left the bucket on deck, and would you believe the magic ! It's almost full again this morning. /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif

 

[pvb]

Properly applied, the Polycell product (and Boracol too) should pose little risk to aquatic life. It's important to apply to dry decks, when rain isn't expected for several days. The liquid penetrates deeply into the teak, and is very resistant to washing off.

If you're concerned about this stuff being harmful, what on earth are your views on antifouling?

 

[mobeydick]

Unless you have had REALY rough weather where you are, the bucket may be full of inferior, rain (fresh) water, rather than seawater, which is what promotes the algae in the first place.

 

[johnalison]

We tried seawater regularly for 2 years and were rewarded with a filthy-looking deck with patches of lichen growth. If anyone manages with washing alone, good luck to them, but I am hoping people will be able to avoid hours of rather fruitless work scrubbing their decks (or cockpit/hand-rails etc.)

 

[wiggy]

If your on a tight budget i can provide a blended seawater based product, not as good as the pure stuff but much better than that dreadful rain stuff.

 

[mobeydick]

I can reduce shipping costs by sending dehydrated seawater.

(never scrub teak by the way)

 

[doca]

The deck looks good. What pocedure do you use when applying the Polycell mould killer ?

 

[purplerobbie]

why is the one on the left higher out of the water than the one on the right?
Rob

 

[Swagman]

[ QUOTE ]
why is the one on the left higher out of the water than the one on the right?
Rob

[/ QUOTE ]

Is algea that heavy?
JOHN

 

[PeterGibbs]

Bottled Scottish seawater - love the concept, but I could only buy if the label looked comfortingly authoratative, with a claid of some sort, and the bottle was sealed in the presence of some dignitary with one of those impressive Scottish titles "procurator maritime.." 3 m years old, you say... But I fear the water might have been passed personally by lesser types in that interval..

D'you know - I can hear the laugh of the sealions, even now...do they know something I should?

PWG

 

[johnalison]

The difference in levels may be partly a perspective illusion if my boat is slightly astern, but mainly due to heeling in the moderate wind from the right of the picture.

 

[mobeydick]

[image]

[/image]

 

[FlorealIII]

Why not using bleaching water ? It is very effective against algae and molds and certainly not expensive !

 

[LadyJessie]

Bleach can do serious damage to the gelcoat around the deck. Do not not use bleach in the vicinity of any modern deck.

I stand by my earlier recommendation: seawater and a brush is a centuries old proven method for maintaining teak decks. It just works.

 

[pvb]

[ QUOTE ]
I stand by my earlier recommendation: seawater and a brush is a centuries old proven method for maintaining teak decks.

[/ QUOTE ]Unfortunately, a brush is one of the worst things you can use on a modern teak deck! It's too easy to remove the soft fibres, leading to ridging which will accelerate deterioration. With such a relatively thin teak covering, modern teak decks need very gentle care.