Teak Cleaning

[Cruiser]

I have an older boat (1985) that has alot of teak - I have sanded it down to bare wood but now I have teak that is not consistant in color - Is there any way to bleach this wood or is there anything out there that I could use to finish the wood and not have to strip and clean it each year ? <br /><br />Thanks for any help you could provide

 

[JB]

Re: Teak Cleaning

Just had the same problem earlier this year. The product(s) you need are made by Star Brite. Any boat store that doesn't have them in stock can order them for you.<br /><br />Teak Cleaner will wash away any remaining oxidized (gray) wood fibers. Next, use <br /><br />Teak Brightener, which will bleach out any remaining dark pigments. Finally, use<br /><br />Teak Oil or (better) Gold Teak Oil, which preserves and protects the wood, as well as giving it that rich, golden color so loved by us boat nuts. Because you have sanded it, you will probably need at least two applications of oil.<br /><br />Re-oil the wood during the season and in the fall. How often depends on the amount of UV it is exposed to. If you keep the boat under cover when not in use you may not need to re-oil until putting her up for the winter.<br /><br />Never try to varnish teak. The wood is too oily to hold the finish and it will crack and peel within months. The teak trim on my 1980 Boston Whaler had been varnished with a tough polyurethane at some time before I bought it. It was hideous, and getting the remaining stuff off was profane. Lots of sanding and the Star Brite treatment has made the 21 year-old boat beautiful again.<br /><br />Good luck, Cruiser.

<br />JB

 

[SEAFARER22]

Re: Teak Cleaning

I agree with the previous message that was sent. I just used the three treatments of teak restoration marketed by Star Brite and have had very good results. Some of my trim had been polyurethaned and I had to sand them down to bare wood, but the remainder came up nicely with the noncaustic solvents. Being my initial experience with the preserving compound, I do not know the quality or endurance of this protective barrier to UV radiation until it has weathered a season of exposure. Hope this helps.