Teak Question

[krejciman]

My teak is pretty faded and no amount of oil seems to get it back to it's former glory.  I thought I remember hearing that you could just sand it down a little and it would look like new.

Anyone ever do that?  Any tips for me?

[toyotafreak]

I used the heavy duty teak cleaner and brightener from West Marine found here (looks like you'll have to cut & paste these links): http://www.westmarine.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/ProductDisplay?storeId=10001&langId=-1&catalogId=10001&productId=72435

And followed up with their Teak Oil, found here:
http://www.westmarine.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/ProductDisplay?storeId=10001&langId=-1&catalogId=10001&productId=72432

I will say that after I did this, I checked the owner's manual and it says to avoid using caustic teak cleaners. AFTER. The cleaner and brightener worked awesome and removed all of heavy buildup, and really lightened the color of the teak. It look so awesome when I put that first layer of teak oil on there. I had been using linseed oil, and don't remember what the prior owner told me he used (hydraulic fluid was one of the things). The teak looked just beautiful.

The problem is, I've got an easy dozen applications of teak oil since the cleaning, and only like eight days on the boat, and the teak still comes out of the water, dries and then looks like it's starving for oil. Really does look parched.

Guess what I'm trying to say is I'm not sure if I 'bleached' the thing so much during cleaning that the wood's damaged, or if the teak oil is like water soluble or something. Could try the linseed again, or could just keep applying that teak oil till it's done and then switch to another brand.

[phenom_1819]

Krejciman -- I'd try using the teak cleaner, then brightener, then oil...first. I'd look to sanding only as a last effort.  If you end up sanding too much, seems like the wood would lose a lot of it's contour.  And mine was pretty bleached when I bought the boat, but using the cleaner a couple times did the trick.

Derek -- yours sounds pretty normal.  Teak sucks. But looks soooo good when it's freshly oiled.  The swimstep cover is among my favorite Epic accessories (I think you already have one, though).  

I've cleaned my teak 3 times this summer, and probably oiled about 6. It's about due for another one -- but oiling is so quick and easy, I don't worry too much about it. The reward is worth the effort.

[krejciman]

Sounds like the cleaner hasn't ruined your guys' teak, so it's worth a try.  Like you said, mine is pretty bleached when I pull it out of the water.  It looks a LITTLE better when I oil it, but not like the good ol' days.

Thanks - I'll get some teak cleaner....   maybe Newport boats has it... otherwise I will be driving to West Marine in Orange.