teak laid decks

[BMcL]

Due to the very damp summer weather we have had, the teak laid decks have become very green. Any one help with ideas of the best way to clean the decks and if possible prevent them becoming green.
Yours, Bob

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[FWB]

Rub gently with either a plastic scourer or better still a stainless steel one. Dont pressure wash. Clean decks with salt water not fresh.

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[tome]

Echo this, though I use freah water then a few buckets of seawater to finish.

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[pvb]

Prevention...

After you've cleaned the deck thoroughly (and gently), there’s a way of helping to keep this green stuff at bay, and it involves almost no work. Hallberg-Rassy recommend a product called Boracol, which is generally sold as a timber preservative. It’s highly effective in killing green algae, mould spores and termites. Unfortunately, in the UK it’s only licensed for professional use. However, the two active ingredients - disodium octaborate (a fungicide) and benzalkonium chloride (an algaecide) - are available in various amateur products. Easiest to find and use is Polycell 3-in-1 Mould Killer (about £5 a litre from bigger B&Q stores). It’s a colourless liquid. I’ve used it for several years now, and I’m very pleased with the results. In comparison with neighbouring boats, my deck stays much cleaner.

To apply it, first clean the deck thoroughly and allow at least 24 hours to dry. Choose a day when rain isn’t expected for 24 hours and apply the liquid liberally with a soft paintbrush. I use about 2 litres on my 35-footer. You should wear protective gloves and safety glasses. Wash splashes off skin immediately. Reapply every 4-5 months.

I use the same liquid on the inside and outside of my canvas sprayhood, again with good results.

Most mould and mildew products are basically bleach. This Polycell product contains no bleach, but has the powerful fungicidal ingredients which get rid of the mould. It also has a medium-term residual effect, so a treatment every 4-6 months should keep your deck and sprayhood looking good.



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[Anwen]

There was a good thread on this a while ago. <A target="_blank" HREF=http://www.ybw.com/cgi-bin/forums/showflat.pl?Cat=&Board=pbo&Number=567802&page=&view=&sb=&o=&vc=1>here</A>

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[Oldhand]

Re: Prevention...

We have taken previous advice to use Polycell 3 in 1 mould killer. It certainly works but our deck seems have got rather bleached over time since its application.

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[pvb]

Re: Prevention...

Bleached - or staying cleaner? The active ingredients in Polycell 3 in 1 Mould Killer shouldn't cause a bleaching effect, but they will help stop the development of tiny black mould spots, which would otherwise darken the colour.

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[Courageous]

Re: Prevention...

why seawater and not fresh??? In hot climes that leaves a salt crust behind?

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[pvb]

Saltwater or fresh...

It's generally thought that saltwater helps to preserve wood, although both salt and fresh water can cause rot in certain circumstances. Bearing in mind that the deck is totally exposed to rain (fresh water), it probably doesn't matter which you use for occasional washing. And I think "occasional" is an important word - frequent washing of a teak deck can quickly remove much of its thickness!

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[jerryat]

Re: Prevention...

Hi Courageous!

I understand it, the theory of using salt water is that the teak absorbs the water which, when it dires, leaves an amount of salt cystals. As salt is hygroscopic (attracts water) the teak never dries out suffiently to crack or twist. Ok, not necessary in the UK and similar climates, but I assure you that in the Med and Caribbean, it is quite normal to see crew sloshing a few bucketfuls of the briney over their decks after sundown (gives it a chance to soak in before evaporating) to help protect their expensive investment.

I only have decking in my cockpit, but always soak it well at night AFTER sundowners(!) when we're in the hot places.

Hope this helps

Jerry

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[Courageous]

Re: Prevention...

Ahh ok chaps - I can follow that but does that mainly apply IF the deck hasn't been oiled?

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[pvb]

Oil?...

Whoever suggested you should oil a teak deck, Ian? But it's a bit of an academic question anyway, isn't it?

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[Courageous]

Re: Oil?...

Obviously not you (mystery man....) but nonetheless, since mine is already oiled I feel the academicity of the query should not be questioned! Should I re-clean my bright and shiny teak (which has now been oiled) OR may I simply commence applying the delightfully cheap seawater after I finish a late shift at around midnight? (Dives off to take a look in his english/spanish dicshunary to see if academic can be distorted so... [in either language])

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