Teak Swim Platform care

[BlakeHoward]

I got a 2004 22v Limited last season and the teak was in really bad shape. I bought the 3 step Star Brite kit and its did already but I need way more oil. The kit left some chalky spots I missed with the cleaner. I'm going to sand some and try the oil from Home Depot KKO mentioned. Will post pictures soon.

[chadster2]

My new way of thinking: Late last fall I put a wet fat sac on my teak swim deck and left it till spring. I messed up the finish for sure. (It came off with the fat sac). This spring I sanded and refinished the entire deck. It was beautiful for sure. I can already see the place where the fat sac left its’ mark…… Sooo…. I think every few years the chemical strip must be used to get the nasties out of the wood fiber. I'm sure sanding will not fix this.

[KonaKing]

I got a 2004 22v Limited last season and the teak was in really bad shape. I bought the 3 step Star Brite kit and its did already but I need way more oil. The kit left some chalky spots I missed with the cleaner. I'm going to sand some and try the oil from Home Depot KKO mentioned. Will post pictures soon.

I have the same boat and deck. I also use Watco's oil. Nothing but nothing will keep it looking good for long except for constant attention, They are a pain in the butt. I would never have another one. I have tried chemicals, sanding, re oiling and they all do the job but not for long. Give me glass next time.

[jwanck11]

LOL... that is why I just clean and oil. It is a 15 minute job.

[wakeatx]

So when you guys sand what grit do you use? I'd assume you're not taking a lot off right?

This thread has me motivated to oil the thing regularly and hopefully save a major pain.

[jwanck11]

Once a month, just wipe oil on with a clean rag and you are good to go. I bought a gallon and it lasts me more than a year.

[Guest]

To Teak or not to Teak, always an interesting debate. I am a Teak lover personally, once it gets wet it looks great unless you really let it go. I am going to check out the teak oil at HD too.

[jwanck11]

Bear in mind that the Watco product(just got back from Lowes) is also a sealer and therefore will require sanding... whereas a straight oil, decently maintained will not.

[Oklahoma Breakdown]

So when you guys sand what grit do you use? I'd assume you're not taking a lot off right?

This thread has me motivated to oil the thing regularly and hopefully save a major pain.

So, I just re-did my Teak Deck and what was going to be an hour long project of cleaning and oiling turned into me getting the belt and block sander out, totally dissassembling the deck and doing a complete refinish. After several hours of sanding I am happy to have done it but man it was a lot of work. Don't have any pics yet but it looks like a brand new deck. Mine is 11 years old and had turned an odd grey color with spots on it. Now it looks like its brand new.

Anyway, I started with a medium 80 grit belt, went to a fine 120 and then a super fine 220. You could probably get away with not ever needing that 80 grit with some regular care but mine was real bad.
Afterwards I wiped it down with a damp cloth (no teak cleaner as it will re-raise your grains) and then oiled it. I will be doing the oil, sun bake, oil sun bake thing for the next week to get it just right.

Good luck!
B

[chadster2]

The teak 'is' alot of work...
All chicks dig pretty wood (whats ya gonna do?)
What part of keeping a boat looking and working great isn’t hard work?
80 grit, (and it fills up fast.) But that lowers the grit # toward the end
I'd stay away from a belt sander... (too much too quick)

Next year I'm going to kill whatever is in the wood not letting the oil do its job.

[KonaKing]

Bear in mind that the Watco product(just got back from Lowes) is also a sealer and therefore will require sanding... whereas a straight oil, decently maintained will not.

What do you use J ?

[jwanck11]

I use "Amazon Teak Oil" I buy it here. It is a straight oil with no sealer additives.

I have never sanded. I just use my shop vac to get anything in between the boards, pour a relatively small bead the length of each board and then wipe it all in with some paper towels. I then do the underside of the deck. If it takes me 15 minutes total, I'd be surprised.

If the deck is neglected, it might need to be washed first and oiled a couple of times (until the Iroko stops taking oil) but after that, just oil once a month - and that frequency is because we used the boat a lot.

My deck looks factory fresh.

[jeremiah.hough]

has anyone had any problems with the oil getting on the interior fabric from getting in and out of the boat. someone told me not to use oil??

[jwanck11]

Nope. You will want to allow the oil to penetrate (make sure you also wipe off any excess) the wood before taking out your boat. I usually oil after the deck has dried from a trip. That will allow plenty of time for "drying."

I would suggest that not oiling is a bad idea.

[shaka403]

Slippery Teak Deck?

Just bought a 22i a little over a week ago...so exciting! Anyway, the teak deck is in pretty good shape, BUT it is extremely slippery! I have almost busted my butt several times already. Are these decks just slippery? I have considered putting something over it because I have a young daughter and I don't want her getting hurt. Is this just a sign that it needs to be redone? Any suggestions would be appreciated.