Teak Cleaning /Sealing
Boats, Indoor Furniture /Outdoor Furniture
Newport Beach, Ca
(714)328-4405
Teak decks (or furniture) - Any rust appearing on the teak from rusting deck screws should be pre-treated with Lime Gone or Rust Buster.
Weathered/Grey Teak - Teak that's weathered or grey requires teak cleaner and teak brightener, a two step process. The first step softens the teak, allowing deep cleaning, the second step neutralizes the teak cleaner, and is called teak brightener.
Step one ...
* Medium-coarse (red) scrub pads are best
* Rubber gloves are a must
* Sprinkle teak cleaner crystals evenly onto teak
* Scrub across the grain to avoid removing excess teak grain
* Scrub pad/doodlebug swivel pad combo for large areas like decks -much faster
* Hand--held scrub pad holder for tight areas
* Bare scrub pad for very tight areas.
Next...
*Once the teak becomes an even orange color rinse it again rinse scrub pad, then detail-scrub any remaining stains or discolor using only the wet pad with no additional cleaner (the teak grain should already be softened from the initial application of cleaner).
* Give the teak a final good, thorough rinse.
Step 2
* Mix Teak Brightener and water
* Spread with a Fine (white) Scrub Pad and scrub lightly.
* Let the cleaner stand on the teak for at least five minutes to fully lighten the color, then give it a very thorough rinse.
* Important: Make sure the teak and all surrounding gelcoat, paint, varnish, and aluminum stays wet during the entire process!
For new teak or teak that is only slightly discolored - use just oxalic acid mixed with water.
*Wet the teak first, then scrub with the mixture using a red or white scrub pad.
*Keep the area wet while you are working, then rinse well.
Teak Cleaning
To seal or not to seal?
Teak is a naturally oily wood and there is no harm in leaving it unsealed. Depending on how much sun it gets the surface will naturally start to turn light grey within a month or two. Also, natural teak does absorb oils (such as from potato chips, outboard motor oil, etc,) and therefore tends to stain pretty easily. Teak areas that are wet continually can also form black or green spots from mildew. If you looking to keep the teak natural but are wanting to retain that new blond color you will need to periodically use a teak-specific cleaner such as Tip Top. I like that particular brand because it’s very effective, doesn't’ raise the teak grain, and it’s been safe on all the various brands of deck caulking's I’ve encountered so far.
Teak sealers definitely do help prevent stains from soaking into the wood grain and can greatly enhance the depth and hue of teaks unique color. They also vastly minimize teak weathering.
The best sealers I’ve tried so far are Starbrite Premium Golden Teak Oil and Semco Teak Sealer which comes in Gold, Natural, or Clear.
Oil or Sealer
* Teak oil and "sealer" protect fine woods and teak from stains, dirt, oils, and mold.
* Teak oil contains oil, the traditional method for sealing wood. It gives a finish that looks "oiled".
* Teak Sealers are made without oil and leave a drier-looking finish than oil. A good one (like Semco) leaves the wood looking like it's been freshly sanded.
* Teak oil or sealer can be used for either indoor or outdoor wood, decks, or furniture.
Choosing a teak sealer
* The most important qualities of a teak sealer are longevity, resistance to stains and mildew, ease of application, and ease of re-application.
* Starbright teak oil produces a traditional honey-gold oiled look, while the Semco Premium Sealer gives a drier, freshly-sanded type of result. The different Semco colors can be mixed to make custom shades (I usually mix one part of each). Both products, when applied according to the directions, will dry completely on the teak and will not track onto other parts of the boat. Re-apply the sealer every three to six months.
Sealing using Semco
* Apply sealer or oil only to completely clean, dry wood
* Stir your sealer occasionally as the pigment solids eventually sink to the bottom
* Follow manufacturer's dirctions
* For large areas use a paint pad; for smaller areas a disposable paintbrush is fine
* If there are any "pools" of pigment on deck after appling sealer wipe them with a clean terrycloth towel before they dry, otherwise, cleanup can be done with acetone, lacquer thinner, or brush and roller cleaner.
* Two coats is optimum.
Clean-up -
* W
et down rags/brushes/other used for sealing with water before you dispose of them because they are very flammable.
* Clean up as needed with brush and roller cleaner.
Dear Doug,
I am here in Newport and I just had a teak deck and swim platform installed on my boat. What would you recommend for sealers / oils etc. The boat yard said to leave it natural. A carpenter friend said to make sure I oil it so that it does not dry out to fast. Someone else said if I don’t put something on it, it wil be more susceptible to staining. I also heard that oils can be tracked on to carpet fiberglass etc.
Can you clear any of this up for me?
Thanks,
Scott
Hi Scott,
In my opinion it’s mostly a matter or taste. Teak is a naturally oily wood and there is no harm in leaving it unsealed. Depending on how much sun it gets the surface will naturally start to turn light grey within a month or two. Also, natural teak does absorb oils (such as from potato chips, outboard motor oil, etc,) and therefore tends to stain pretty easily. Teak areas that are wet continually can also form black or green spots from mildew or algae. A periodic wash with fresh water and mild soap will help minimize this weathering but is not really very effective for bringing back the original color, and despite it’s popularity with some, I haven’t gotten good results by washing teak with salt water either. So, if you looking to keep the teak natural but are wanting to retain that new blond color you will need to periodically use a teak-specific cleaner such as Tip Top. I like that particular brand because it’s very effective, doesn’t raise the teak grain, and it’s been safe on all the various brands of deck caulkings I’ve encountered so far.
Teak sealers definitely do help prevent stains from soaking into the wood grain and can greatly enhance the depth and hue of teaks unique color. They also vastly minimize teak weathering. The best sealers I’ve tried so far are Starbright Premium Golden Teak Oil and Semco Teak Sealer which comes in Gold, Natural, or Clear (both of these products are available at West Marine, but will also be on our website soon). The Starbright produces a traditional honey-gold oiled look, while the Semco gives a drier, freshly-sanded type of result. The different Semco colors can be mixed to make custom shades (I usually mix one part of each). Both products, when applied according to the directions, will dry completely on the teak and will not track onto other parts of the boat. If you do decide to seal your decks make sure the teak is completely clean first, and remember you will most likely need to reapply the sealer every three to six months.
