Pros and Cons of Teak Decks

Capt J · 06-28-2009, 12:02 AM

Real teak is not a problem to keep nice if you maintain it. I have never had an issue of using a very soft brush to clean it and going with the grain. The flat doodle pads are ok, but I have used a very soft deck brush with no issues. I also have never had to get into using a 2 part cleaner like snappy, where you lose a lot of grain.

To clean teak I wet it and use sudsy ammonia. I spread the ammonia on the teak with a brush, let it sit 10-15 minutes and lightly scrub the teak with the grain and a soft brush, then rinse it all off. Next I use Gary's golden teak just like I do with the ammonia and it stays golden and you lose no grain doing this and it has the beautiful blonde look. I do this every 4-8 weeks depending on how clean it stays.

The imitiation teak is ok looking, but doesn't compare it my book in the looks department at all. I have also found it to be hot on the feet and slippery. Natural teak is easy on the feet.

AMG · 06-28-2009, 04:14 AM

CaptJ, just remember that ammonia and aluminium is not a good combination.

Using a soft brush with the grain probably means you can feel the grain. If you use a pad sideways to the grain, you get a smooth surface where you can not even feel the caulking.

On synthetic teak, there are different brands and I have only used Flexiteek, which is not slippery at all, especially not when wet. But it can get hot...

Today there are also other types of wood replacing teak as a result of the rainforest debate. From what I know, teak is not rainforest, it is leaf felling, but it is still a tropical tree.

Bamboo · 07-03-2009, 12:12 AM

Once you have the teak sanded properly always clean against the grain is what works for me. No oils-certainly never on the deck as that would get quite hot.

Panama has teak plantations near my wife's families' houses. Nothing else grows or lives in teak plantations as the trees are somehow caustic to quite a bit of life.

Capt J · 07-03-2009, 08:57 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by AMG

CaptJ, just remember that ammonia and aluminium is not a good combination.

Using a soft brush with the grain probably means you can feel the grain. If you use a pad sideways to the grain, you get a smooth surface where you can not even feel the caulking.

On synthetic teak, there are different brands and I have only used Flexiteek, which is not slippery at all, especially not when wet. But it can get hot...

Today there are also other types of wood replacing teak as a result of the rainforest debate. From what I know, teak is not rainforest, it is leaf felling, but it is still a tropical tree.

I use a very very soft brush, which cleans the teak nicely going with the grain because it pulls dirt out of the grain. Since I am not removing any of the grain when cleaning, it doesn't seem to make it so you can feel the teak as not being smooth. Once in a blue moon, I use the flat pad in the other direction (across the grain). On some Azimuts and such, going across the grain, the caulking sort of melts across into the wood. I don't know what kind of caulking they use but it tends to bleed across at times, even when not cleaning the teak and it's dry. It's like the caulking Hatteras uses on their windows, anytime you touch the stuff you get black caulking on your clothes or hands or whatever.

I know ammonia and aluminum are not a good combo, the ammonia also does a number on the stainless and you have to polish it afterwards. I have not dealt with an Aluminum yacht in a while. Most of the ones with teak that I've come across are Fiberglass.

brian eiland · 07-03-2009, 11:37 AM

It been a very ong time ago now so I don't remember any details, but I was once on a vessel down at the Ocean Reef Club in the keys. Docked next to us was a beautiful old Trumpy classic.

I recall a conversation with the skipper that claimed to use transmission fluid (and or mixture involving) to get his beautiful golden teak decks after his cleaning them.???...kept them from greying so rapidly.

Anyone ever hear of such an application??

Capt J · 07-03-2009, 04:01 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by brian eiland

It been a very ong time ago now so I don't remember any details, but I was once on a vessel down at the Ocean Reef Club in the keys. Docked next to us was a beautiful old Trumpy classic.

I recall a conversation with the skipper that claimed to use transmission fluid (and or mixture involving) to get his beautiful golden teak decks after his cleaning them.???...kept them from greying so rapidly.

Anyone ever hear of such an application??

I've seen it done, however if you want rainbow oil streaks all over your paint everytime it rains I would not recommend it.

KonaLA · 07-15-2009, 09:12 PM

In market looking for a 45'-50' MY. A few of the boats I've been viewing have had all teak decks which have a grey or darker look to them. Is it possible to revive this? Since I'm looking at older boats (late '80's to early '90's) should I be concerned with the cost of replacing the decks?

Capt J · 07-16-2009, 08:32 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by KonaLA

In market looking for a 45'-50' MY. A few of the boats I've been viewing have had all teak decks which have a grey or darker look to them. Is it possible to revive this? Since I'm looking at older boats (late '80's to early '90's) should I be concerned with the cost of replacing the decks?

Yes, to remove the grey or dark look and bring teak to the blondish look that you see in pictures on new yachts and such. All you have to do is clean the teak or lightly sand it. It's not an issue. You may have to replace the teak decks on an older boat, the thickness of the existing teak decks will tell you. If the decks are cleaned with an abrasive 2 part cleaner like snappy teaknu, it will remove a little bit of the teak each time it is cleaned and eventually you won't have any wood left after many years.......

NYCAP123 · 07-16-2009, 05:28 PM

With the older boat, if they teak was ignored, you've got a find. Like Capt. J mentioned cleaning and oiling the teak will bring back the color. I personally like Tip Top. It has a nice light honey color. If it was sanded a lot or improperly the grain may be gone, in which case it won't hold oil well and may need to be replaced. However, on older boats they used thicker teak and you may be able to just take it down a bit with brass wool. On many newer boats it's almost a vaneer, maybe 1/8th ". When that's gone it's pretty much gone.

KonaLA · 07-16-2009, 05:44 PM

Both boats are from the mid-80's. Looking forward to viewing them next week. For the price of teak these day's, am a little cautious.

NYCAP123 · 07-16-2009, 06:05 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by KonaLA

Both boats are from the mid-80's. Looking forward to viewing them next week. For the price of teak these day's, am a little cautious.

Depending on the quality of the boats involved I might be hesitant to replace teak $$$; possibly going with the artificial teaks (I hesitate to use a name because I recently read about patent infringment judgements and many may be disapearing) or removing the teak and going with a fiberglass deck.

Capt J · 07-17-2009, 02:44 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by NYCAP123

With the older boat, if they teak was ignored, you've got a find. Like Capt. J mentioned cleaning and oiling the teak will bring back the color. I personally like Tip Top. It has a nice light honey color. If it was sanded a lot or improperly the grain may be gone, in which case it won't hold oil well and may need to be replaced. However, on older boats they used thicker teak and you may be able to just take it down a bit with brass wool. On many newer boats it's almost a vaneer, maybe 1/8th ". When that's gone it's pretty much gone.

Tip Top Teak has not been produced for about 2 years now. The owner of the company died and nobody could run it, so his wife closed it was what I heard.

revdcs · 07-17-2009, 05:06 AM

On a well cared for teak deck, you should find yourself repairing/replacing the caulking more often than the wood. Sluicing the deck once or twice a day (more often in very hot conditions) with clean sea water keeps the grain swollen and tight. This not only gives a natural barrier to some liquid spills abut also stops water working its way under the deck, thus preventing leaks, permanent damp and rotting from beneath. I have found Teepol to be a good cleaner on teak and it copes well with salt water too.

NYCAP123 · 07-17-2009, 08:20 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Capt J

Tip Top Teak has not been produced for about 2 years now. The owner of the company died and nobody could run it, so his wife closed it was what I heard.

Heart breaker. There are still a few gallons around, but they're getting harder to find.

SandEngXp · 09-18-2009, 02:48 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Capt J

Tip Top Teak has not been produced for about 2 years now. The owner of the company died and nobody could run it, so his wife closed it was what I heard.

http://www.sportfishermen.com/board/...oth-70407.html

Evidently it is back on the market..... ...someone always picks up a quality product....