How to Repair Your Teak Deck
- Start by sanding the decks smooth.
- Cracks in the timber can be opened out with a small chisel or Dremel-type tool, then allowed to dry thoroughly before being filled with an epoxy-based filler.
- Loose caulking should be picked out, the affected area cleaned back to bare wood (ideally with a router), and the affected caulking replaced.
Full Answer
How to best clean a teak deck?
Wessex application for badly weathered or stained teak
- Dilute Part 1 Teak Cleaner in a bucket with fresh water at a dilution rate of 5:1 (1=Cleaner).
- Wet teak. ...
- Covering a teak area approximately 1m² at a time, use a clean sponge (or similar) to apply the product and gently agitate.
- Allow the area to darken to a uniform dark brown
- Rinse thoroughly with water using a hose.
How much does teak decking cost?
These modern teak decks are lovely in every respect except price. When I received an estimate from Teak Decking Systems of $55,000 to $60,000, I became less of a teak-deck snob. I looked into synthetic teak, also known as fake teak, and was impressed by its appearance and practicality.
How to lay a teak deck?
Apply Sabatack 750 XL or Sabadeck to the substrate and level with a spreader to a minimum thickness of 2mm and a maximum of 10mm. Lay the teak decking within 30 minutes of applying the adhesive. The decking should be ‘agitated’ into the adhesive to ensure a good surface contact.
Is teak hardwood patio furniture worth the price?
Teak wood is worth the price for deck furniture. Due to its limited availability and high demand, teak is more expensive than many other woods used to make outdoor furniture. However, this hardwood is incredibly dense and oil rich - characteristics which give it strength and safeguard it against damage from the elements and pests.
How do you restore a teak deck on a boat?
0:232:06How to Restore and Clean Teak Deck using Teak Minus and Teak PlusYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipBefore applying teak - with a brown Doodlebug pad water down the entire surface. Gently work theMoreBefore applying teak - with a brown Doodlebug pad water down the entire surface. Gently work the solution into the surface. Making sure to scrub against the grain teak.
How do you fix teak on a boat?
2:034:55How to Refinish Teak Wood on a Boat - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipIt's really going to look good when we're done what we're using is just a regular oil based paint orMoreIt's really going to look good when we're done what we're using is just a regular oil based paint or stain brush. And we're just gonna lightly put it on working in the same direction as the grain.
How do you replace teak planks?
4:4716:01Teak Deck Repairs : Individual Plank replacement within a deck - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipJust take our time on this otherwise we damage the planks alongside it which we don't want to do. IMoreJust take our time on this otherwise we damage the planks alongside it which we don't want to do. I don't want to damage the deck too much either under it although you know it'll always be covered.
How do you Recaulk a teak deck?
1:284:37How To Properly Prepare & Re-Caulk a Teak Deck Seam Part 2 - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipThe first thing to do is to cut the tip of the cartridge at about a 45 degree angle. Next you wantMoreThe first thing to do is to cut the tip of the cartridge at about a 45 degree angle. Next you want to puncture the foil seal with a poker. If the foil does not get fully open you could have a mess.
Can weathered teak be restored?
Teak oxidizes and turns gray quickly, and while some people find this attractive, others prefer the honey-tan hues of fresh teak. You can often restore weathered teak just by sanding it, but if the discoloration goes deep, or if there is a surface layer of mold, it may be easier to scrub it with a cleaner.
Should teak be sanded?
Lightly sanding teak wood will reveal a fresh and glowing finish below the surface level. This will restore the original honey brown glow. Sanding can be a bit more difficult on furniture that has hard to reach areas so you have to work around these spots by hand.
How long do teak decks last?
Durability – A ½” thick teak deck well cared for will last 15-20 years, depending on the environment. A painted non-skid deck lasts 5-8 years. A composite deck lasts 5-20 years depending on its quality. (High quality, long-lasting composite decks are not much less expensive than teak.)
How do you glue down teak decking?
Bonding: Apply Sabatack 750 XL or Sabadeck to the substrate and level with a spreader to a minimum thickness of 2mm and a maximum of 10mm. Lay the teak decking within 30 minutes of applying the adhesive. The decking should be 'agitated' into the adhesive to ensure a good surface contact.
How thick should a teak deck be?
Teak Thickness New teak decks are typically only 10 to 20 mm (3/8 to 3/4”) thick. Therefore, less wood is needed for decking.
Should I caulk my deck?
Decks can crack and split as the wood ages, leaving large voids on the surface, and it can be tempting to fill these voids with an outdoor wood filler. But as the Internet's top authority on wood deck restoration, we do not recommend that you use wood filler or caulk for your decking projects.
How do you caulk a boat deck?
3:146:32WOODEN BOAT RESTORATION - How to Caulk Deck Seams - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipAnd make sure that we fill that seam up completely with caulking it's very important to do that alsoMoreAnd make sure that we fill that seam up completely with caulking it's very important to do that also we cut that tip so it just fits over the top of the edge. You don't want it too small and then he's
What tool removes caulking?
You can use a utility knife or putty knife, slicing through the caulk and peeling it away. For multiple layers of caulk, needle-nosed pliers might work best. There are also specialized caulk removal tools designed to tear away caulk cleanly.
How do you clean and restore teak on a boat?
A concentrated solution of powdered cleaner and vigorous scrubbing using a very soft bristle brush or, better yet, a 3M pad, will do a surprisingly good job on teak that is basically just dirty. Don't scrub any harder than you have to, and always scrub across the grain.
How many coats of teak oil should I use on my boat?
2 coatsGenerally, 2 coats of oil are sufficient for finish and protection purposes on new, or freshly scrubbed and sanded teak. For wood exposed to the elements, periodic maintenance coats may be applied as needed throughout the season.
How do you refinish teak wood?
0:383:56Refinishing Outdoor Teak Wood Furniture in 3 Steps - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipFirst keep your nozzle about three to four inches away from the wood. Move steadily go with the woodMoreFirst keep your nozzle about three to four inches away from the wood. Move steadily go with the wood grain when possible and let it dry overnight before moving on to your next.
How do you refinish teak boat rails?
12:5120:28INTEGRITY FINISHING INC, Boat teak restoration - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipColor you can see it on the can there and what that's going to do is give the teak a nice brownerMoreColor you can see it on the can there and what that's going to do is give the teak a nice browner tone finish and then after that we're going to put clear coats on top of it.
What is the best way to clean teak?
A concentrated solution of powdered cleaner and vigorous scrubbing using a very soft bristle brush or, better yet, a 3M pad, will do a surprisingly good job on teak that is basically just dirty. Don’t scrub any harder than you have to, and always scrub across the grain.
What to do if teak is dark brown?
If your teak is dark brown from old, oxidized dressing, or weathered grey from neglect, the first step is a thorough cleaning. The severity of the discoloration of the wood will determine the severity of restorative measures required.
How long does a teak finish last?
A major caveat is in order. No exterior teak finish lasts very long. For optimum results, monthly application of dressing is required, with a good scrubbing with detergent and water before applying a fresh coat. Youre kidding yourself if you think a once-a-year treatment will keep your teak looking good.
How to make teak tan?
1. Wet the teak down; 2. Apply part one (the caustic), spreading and lightly scrubbing with a bristle brush; 3. When the surface is a uniform wet, muddy brown, apply the second part (the acid), spreading with a clean bristle brush; 4. Apply and spread enough of the acid to turn the teak a uniform tan; 5.
What color should teak be when it dries?
When the wood dries, it should be a uniform light tan. If some areas are still grey, a repeat cleaning should do the job. If, however, the teak is still mottled or discolored, the time has come to bring out the heavy guns, and with them the heavy precautions.
Can you clean grey teak?
Unlike other woods used for exterior trim, the grey weathering of teak rarely extends very far below the surface of the wood. Instead of the tedious scraping and sanding essential to restore the weathered surface of, for example, mahogany, a fairly simple chemical cleaning usually suffices to bring even the worst of grungy teak back to a semblance of its original glory.
Can you wash teak after caustic treatment?
Unless the instructions require it, do not rinse off the muddy brown surface of the teak after it has been treated with the caustic. You will be washing unneutralized, corrosive liquid all over the rest of your boat. Thorough neutralizing with the acid wash will minimize problems.
Why do people use teak wood on boat decks?
However, teak can turn dull, drab, and ugly after a time of use if not taken care of properly, especially teak wood boat decks because of their daily exposure to moisture, saltwater, wind, etc.
How to restore teak wood?
In short, you will need to clean the surface with cleaners specially made for teak wood. Then, apply a teak brightener to restore its color. Finally , coat the surface to endure its lifespan with a teak sealer.
How to brighten teak wood?
Shake the product well before use. With a clean pad, apply a generous amount of brightener following the direction of the wood grain. Remember to do one small area at a time, then rinse it off thoroughly. The teak color should be brightened right away.
How to clean teak wood?
Apply the teak cleaning detergent: Use a soft cleaning pad or a soft bristle brush to apply teak cleaner onto the wet surface. Gently scrub off any dirt or grime following the direction of the wood grain. Take your time here, do not scrub so hard that the wood is scratched. Do one small area at a time and rinse it off immediately with clean water.
What is the best cleaner for teak?
There are many teak cleaning detergents on the market, such as Star Brite Premium Teak Cleaner, Golden Care Teak Cleaner, and AquaTeak Teak Cleaner & Brightener. A mild boat soap can work too. But remember to do a spot test before proceeding.
What is a teak sealer?
This is optional but highly recommended. A teak sealer is also known as a teak finisher, teak finishing oil, or teak preserver. The product will provide protection against the sun, saltwater, weathering, and prevent mold growth.
Can you use teak sealer on a boat deck?
Also, the teak sealer acts as a barrier between the wood and air, helping eliminate oxidation and stains. Do not use household furniture finishers for boat deck exterior. They won’t stand up to harsh outdoor conditions.
What is a teak deck?
Teak decks are traditionally laid with an outer panel or frame inside the toe-rail and an inner frame around the coachroof and cockpit coamings. The outer frame may be omitted if the curvature of the rail is mild enough to allow a standard width plank to be sprung into place along the toerail, but an inner frame is almost always required to accept the end of individual planks where the curvature is more pronounced. A king plank is commonly used to join the end of the planks on the bow and at the stern.
How long did it take to re-install a teak deck?
It took a month to re-install the deck hardware. All the holes had disappeared under the new teak, and initially we relied heavily on our plan to re-drill them from below. This worked fairly well for the larger holes we made with hole saws and a drum sander. That changed when it came to drilling the bolt holes perpendicular to the deck and parallel to each other while standing on our heads in a locker. With backing plates on one side and hardware on the other, the holes had to be true.
How many planks per side for a teak deck?
Plan to prepare and lay a maximum of one plank per day per side, and even this will be a long day’s work. Reading up on patterns and layouts for traditional teak decks will help you understand the process of adding a new set of cutouts to the king plank as pairs of planks are laid up to the bow or stern. Actually bonding the king plank is done last, after everything else is in place. Photograph every inch of the deck before you start.
What is a king plank?
A king plank is commonly used to join the end of the planks on the bow and at the stern. The wood shop cut and milled the teak planks to half-inch thickness and three different widths to accommodate the frames, planks, and king plank.
How to spring wood planks into place?
There is more than one way to spring planks into place for bonding, but a common trick is drill a small hole near the edge of the plank that holds a piece of scrap wood. Then a wedge is driven between it and the plank to spring it into place alongside its neighbor.
How to cut end of plank?
Ends of planks can be readily cut and shaped with a fine-toothed blade in a saber saw and drum sander. If available, a carefully handled pistol grip or D-handle router works well for trimming up, but if in doubt, stick to the drum sander and a sanding block. I made good use of a Dremel tool with a smaller drum sander for shaping smaller openings cut into the new deck for fuel and water fills and the like.
What are the pros and cons of a teak deck?
Pros: aesthetically pleasing and a first-rate nonskid, kind to bare feet, and relatively easy to clean. Cons: hot in a warm climate, expensive, and potentially high maintenance. We began to think that maybe a change was in order.
How thick is a teak deck?
With some decks only 12mm thick, and even the best only 15-18mm, it doesn’t take long to inflict potentially terminal damage. The improvements in adhesives over the past 15 years or so means that modern teak decks are not mechanically fastened to the boat with screws, which fortunately means there’s less risk of water finding its way into ...
Does a yacht have teak?
By Rupert Holmes. November 19, 2018. There’s no getting away from how good teak looks on the outside of a yacht – hence it’s almost a pre-requisite that even in standard trim many new boats have teak cockpit seats, any plenty of owners are tempted into paying to upgrade to a full teak deck. Given that teak provides unbeatable grip, even ...
Can you wash teak decks?
Unfortunately, in more temperate climates, teak decks may need more attention than this – but it still pays to be as careful and gentle as possible. If you have to wash the decks use light pressure on a very soft-bristled brush and always brush across the grain. This will minimise removal of the soft timber between the grain and significantly reduce the rate of wear.
Do teak decks look good on boats?
Not only do teak decks look gorgeous on a boat, but they are also practical.
Can you replace caulking on a deck?
It’s always a mistake to ignore these problems – they can escalate surprisingly quickly until the stage is reached at which the only option is to replace the entire deck. Cracks in the timber can be opened out with a small chisel or Dremel type tool, allowed to dry thoroughly and then filled with an epoxy based filler. Loose caulking should be picked out, the affected area cleaned back to bare wood, ideally with a router, and the affected caulking replaced.
Can you use a pressure washer on a yacht?
On the other hand, using a stiff bristled brush, or worse still, a pressure washer, will maximise damage to the timber. It may feel as though these are quick routes to a clean deck, but this is also a quick route to a big boatyard bill that in many cases will amount to a significant proportion of the total value of the yacht.
Can you bleach teak?
If you really want a scrubbed teak look for special occasions make sure you let the teak cleaner – which contains oxalic acid to bleach the timber – do as much of the work as possible. Again, patience is the key here – the less actual scrubbing you do the better. A generous application of teak oil will then help to maintain the appearance afterwards.
Clean Your Deck Regularly
The best method for cleaning a teak deck is to swab it with salt water once a week.
Treat Your Deck Periodically
Provided you’re washing your teak deck with water once a week, the wood should remain clean and healthy.
Choose Your Deck's Look
Classic weathered look or youthful glow? If you prefer your teak deck to develop the classic silver/grey appearance, regular washing with salt water and the occasional wash using teak cleaner will suffice.
Remove Stains with Care
Things are going to get spilled on a deck, especially out on the water! If the teak gets a stain or mark that regular cleaning can’t handle, it may be necessary to give it a light (emphasis on the word light) scrubbing or sanding.
Repair Deck Plugs
If the teak deck is screwed to the boat, the screw holes will be protected with teak plugs. These can wear and come loose over time, which will allow water to penetrate the wood and get under the deck, neither of which are desirable.
What is the best way to protect teak wood?
Teak oils and sealers both will protect the wood, and some teak oils claim to be ultraviolet-resistant. The idea behind teak oil is that it soaks into the wood and replaces its natural oils, making it less brittle and more resistant to water seeping in.
How long does teak oil last on a boat?
Most teak oils last only a month or two— and not even that long in harsh conditions—which is why some boaters turn to teak sealers.
How many coats of varnish do you need for a teak boat?
In between coats of varnish, the teak needs to be sanded and then gone over with a tack rag to remove dust and grit. Three, four, five, six coats of varnish are typically used—it all depends on how hard the boater wants to work, and on how rich and glossy the finish is expected to be. To achieve a polished look some classic Italian boat building companies such as Como Classic Boats uses up to 34 coats of varnish on every boat they build!
What is teak sealer?
A teak sealer is just what it sounds like: a product that does a better job of actually sealing the wood, providing UV protection and, usually, lasting a while longer than teak oils.
How many coats of varnish do Italian boats use?
To achieve a polished look some classic Italian boat building companies such as Como Classic Boats uses up to 34 coats of varnish on every boat they build! As for color, teak varnish comes in clear as well as tinted versions.
Why is teak furniture so popular?
They are locked in tightly to protect the tree, eliminating the need to add weatherproof oils to the wood. The teak's natural oils also waterproof the wood and protects it from dry rot which is why teak furniture is so popular.
How long does it take for a teak tree to grow?
Naturally grown teak takes over 20 years to grow and subsequently teak forests have depleted and some types of teak are on the threatened species list. High-quality teak takes 40-80 years to get a large enough tree to produce the softness and length required for teak decking.
Why do you need to re-caulk a teak deck?
Re-caulking of a decorative teak deck is only necessary when there is physical deterioration of the caulking to restore appearance and to stop water damage due to trapped moisture under the wood.
What happens when you calk teak deck?
If you calk when the deck is at maximum shrink, then all it can do is expand and press on the caulking. If there is any moisture and the teak is not at maximum shrink when you caulk, then when it eventually dries out, and it will, the caulking will be in tension and you risk it pulling off the sides of the groove.
Why does caulking fail on teak decks?
Teak deck caulking fails nearly always due to the caulking pulling away from the sides of the groove when the teak shrinks (dries out) and/or moves while underway. This would suggest a number of basic requirements:-. The depth should be a maximum to provide the largest area for adhesion.
How wide should I use for teak decking?
Wide seams tend to look ugly. Those 1/16" thin black lines in a new teak deck look absolutely gorgeous even if they are trouble waiting to happen. I have found that with 2" wide teak planks, 1/8" seam width is the absolute smallest you should use. 3/16 will give you 50% less trouble. 1/4" will give you 75% less trouble. Wider than 1/4" tends to look too ugly. Wider planks will look OK with, and in fact will need wider seams because the expansion and contraction will be greater too. Decks expand, contract and move so unless that caulking is thick enough it is going to be sheared or pulled off the edge.
Why use cotton on teak deck?
The cotton serves a number of purposes. First it tightens the crack to minimize movement, and make the deck more contiguous. It seals the bottom of the crack so polysulfide (caulking) will not run through later. It is under high compression so it expands and moves with the teak when it moves.
How long does a teak deck last?
A teak deck can last for 100 years but not if treated this way. Especially decks fastened from underneath (the best technique) since the ends of the screws will eventually start to arrive at the lowering surface and provide thousands of leak holes. Never sand a teak deck (unless you are keeping your boat in a museum).
What tool do I need to clean a groove in a deck?
You will need a Dremel tool to clean the groove, especially where it goes under deck fittings. Use the cheapest one you can find (about $45.00) - you don't need variable speed, you don't need the fancy carrying case and all those soft bits they supply. You will need a 1/8" solid carbide cylindrical tool bit, preferably with no teeth on the bottom. Get a second one in case you break one but I have found them to be very hardy.
