Teak oiling decks.

AIDavies · Post by **AIDavies** » Fri Dec 06, 2013 10:49 am

Good day everyone.
Ischia had a complete new deck, teak on ply, during a major rebuild 13 years ago and after mild scrubbing with oxalic etc it looks like new. The question is do I oil it or do I not?
I know it is a well oiled/aired subject but I have no actual/visual experience of an oiled deck to relate to. Does anyone have real life experiences please?
I have not found anything to look at here is S.W.Wales.
Thank you in advance and Merry Xmas.

PerHansson · Post by **PerHansson** » Fri Dec 06, 2013 2:22 pm

Teak decks do require normal and regular maintenance, full stop. If it looks new now, can you protect it by a cover from fresh water(eg. tarpaulin)? If not, I would suggest you keep up the regular maintenance.

There are numerous 'protective' chemicals on the market, none of them look very natural to me(silver coloured weathered teak) and many users of these chemicals claim the algae even feeds off the oil!

Regular, weekly, dousing of sea-water or salt mixed with water will kill the algae and keep it looking natural.

If the teak has ridges in it, a perfect trap for dampness and algae, you may want to consider sanding the ridges down. Avoid pressure washers at all cost as they remove the soft wood between the grain.

Invest in a deck cover if it still looks like new as the cost of replacing or refurnishing a teak deck is serious money if you employ someone to do it and there aren't many left that knows how to do it properly!

If you need more detailed information on how to look after teak on your boat, I would recommend the 'bible' (BRIGHTWORK, The art of finishing wood by Rebecca J. Wittman)

Ben · Post by **Ben** » Fri Dec 06, 2013 3:46 pm

As Per says, I think the key to this is regular gentle attention.

I'm not a fan of any of the coatings, nothing lasts on teak, I even epoxied my mast and then two pack varnished and peeled off in the end.

Midnight Blue · Post by **Midnight Blue** » Fri Dec 06, 2013 6:40 pm

I am a strong believer in no oils or coatings. They just deteriorate quickly, then look dreadful and anyway spoil the beautiful natural look of teak. Good maintenance... but even if you do get algae, there are a couple of good cleaners on the market that are "pour on-wash off", rather than invasive treatment.
You shouldn't, but I give the deck a light (very light)rub down each winter, just because I love seeing that beautiful golden look of the teak as I launch the boat in the spring.

Tim Russell · Post by **Tim Russell** » Fri Dec 06, 2013 7:28 pm

I too follow the 'no oils or coatings' view. And I am wary of any sort of aggressive cleaner, whether chemical or mechanical. Personally I try to stick with a soft brush, used across the grain where possible, and lots of water, preferably salt water (and I have even seen advocates of adding salt to fresh water if you haven't ready access to clean sea water).

AIDavies · Post by **AIDavies** » Sat Dec 07, 2013 5:19 pm

Thank you all for your comments.
All taken on board and the teak oil has been relegated to the garden furniture never to approach the boat again.
I have cut and fitted a temporary pvc cover to protect the deck for now while working on the cabin.

Per, I will do as you suggest and have a proper cover made.
I have a local stitcher who made me a new tonneau and did pretty good.
Thank you all again.
best wishes, Andrew.

JohnSK · Post by **JohnSK** » Mon May 19, 2014 1:42 pm

Not sure I want to resurrect a topic but I think there is one suggestion I might add to the topic.
I fully agree about any of the oils - messy dirty looking and limited life.
I am rather keen on Semco sealer. I do not know what it is but it is not an oil. I have used it for a number of years and it is the only teak product I have used a second time. I am happier with the deck sealed since I suspect that, with a forty year old deck, there must be potential minor leaks.
Semco dries leaving no sign it is there and the teak is in as new condition

robin3boats · Post by **robin3boats** » Mon May 19, 2014 8:47 pm

Hi John, does it change the colour of the teak?
Robin

JohnSK · Post by **JohnSK** » Tue May 20, 2014 8:46 am

You can get it in a variety of tints but in general the darkening is minimal or nil

Huw Prothero · Post by **Huw Prothero** » Tue May 20, 2014 1:26 pm

I have used Semco on the decks of our Swordsman 40. Cleaned them with Wessex Marine Teak cleaner and then brightened them with the brightner. This leaves the decks looking like new teak. I used to use the Semco "Natural" this has a small amount of yellow pigment in it. This year I have treated them with Semco "Clear tone" this has no colour in it but probably will not last as long, a couple of months in and they look great. Using Semco we usually get comments like "are the decks new ?" Last year we used a A Glaze sealer, no where near as good.

Good luck

Huw