Bringing teak swim platform back to life.

[Searay]

I bought a Starbrite kit to use on a gray, very weathered 1990 platform and the kit worked great. The hydrogen peroxide cleaner took off all the gray, the brightener lightened it up, and then I added the oil. The deck didn't come out as dark and rich as I like, but it looked pretty good. The platform on my 1996 needed a little care, so I decided to use the same kit. Problem was the cleaner didn't even touch it. It looked the same as when I started. I talked to the guy who sold me the boat and he said he always used Mary Kate teak cleaner and oil and it came back like new. I checked online and the Mary Kate uses a different type cleaner, but it seems like the oil is probably the same. The wood on the 1996 almost looks like it has some kind of sealer though. Anyway, I'm thinking I might better just sand it and add teak oil. Suggestions on the best way to get a great looking platform?

[ccskier16]

Pressure washer. Don't get too close, otherwise you'll have some nice etches you won't be able to get rid of.

[ag4ever]

I just cleaned and oiled mine. It too did not look as dark as i had remembered it beeing when new, but I understand that the sun will actually make teak darker. I have also heard of people adding trans fluid to their oil to add some rick color to the teak. Don't think I will be trying that.

[Rick]

There are alot of teak threadson this site as well as nautiquefan.com. Also Teak-guard has a whole web based discussion in how to clean brighten and treat teak

[NCH2oSki]

After cleaning well, try amazon gold teak oil for a darker furniture sheen. The oil in the starbright doesnt make the teak look nearly as nice as the amazon gold.

[Rock_Toy]

Yep, use a pressure washer. We have cleaned three decks in the past two weeks and they al come out looking brand new! Then oil them up and you're good to go.

[Searay]

Actually, I found out the can off teak oil I'd been using the last 10 years had some kind of lacquer in it. I got it at a paint store and they said it was what I needed. I only used it on a ski storage cover every few years, and hand rails on my SeaRay. Last fall I added a coat to my SN swim platform. So all my cleaning was not getting me anywhere. I ended up getting paint remover and a wire brush. I oiled it up with about 4 coats of teak oil until I got a good sheen and the wood is beautiful now. Thanks everyone for your help.

[nch20skier]

I use TSP (Tri Sodium Phosphate) can be found at home depot, HOT (I take mine direct from my hot water heater) and scrub it with a pot scrubber then hose it off with about 90 psi water. I use Amazon God for the oil and get very good results.