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Teak decks are beautiful !!!! No doubt about that.
1. Part of the general job discription of yacht crew is to maintain the vessel in pristeen condition that includes cleaning teak decks. Not an unpleasant task on a warm day.
2. Sealants and oils do protect the teak and look good if applied correctly however they do have some undesirable side effects, they tend to be slippery when wet, some products can stain paint, because of the darker color that the deck takes on they are also hotter.
3. Yes you can wash teak with regular detergent but to get that freshly sanded look, most people use a 2 pack system, the first part generally has a caustic soda base which will damage paint work in time especially if left on the paint for any length of time. The second part is an acidic base usually oxalic acid or phosphoric acid these products will also damage paint over time. If you like the weathered sunbleached look then you need to avoid areas where industrial and city dirt can land on the deck and only wash the deck with regular detergent and when possible hose down the deck with clean seawater, however this is only really possible in really REMOTE locations.
4. Having had some experiance with teak veneer and solid teak, I personally would avoid veneer or any teak that is laid on the sub deck less than 3/4" thick, because anything thinner will warp allowing moisture underneath which will cause problems in time. On metal corrosion, plywood rot, fibreglass osmosis and delamination. I have heard the arguments of builders and other experts over and over. But I have seen it many times with my own 2 eyes that in time these problems will occur.
Dispite the downer's that I have presented there is a no more beautiful deck than teak.
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