Re-Finishing my Teak Platform

[NautiqueJared]

One of my winter projects is to get my teak platform looking nice again. Aside from breaking it down and sanding each piece, are there any cleaning agents that you've found that will get the platform back to a nice natural shine? I saw a three stage chemical wash at Academy for about $25-$30 which seems worth it if I don't have to sand the whole thing down. If I do end up sanding, what grit sandpaper should I use?....what kind of teak oil should be used after a complete sanding restoration? All thoughts and suggestions welcome......

[TRBenj]

RE: Re-Finishing my Teak Platform

No need to sand unless its really rough/ridged or covered in something it shouldnt be (paint, varnish, polyurethane, etc). A good teak cleaner (I like Starbrite) and a brass brush will restore the teak if its just weathered or faded. A little powerwashing (low pressure) works good too, but you cant skip the cleaner. Once its completely dry, put a good teak oil on it (again, I like the Starbrite). Let it dry completely between coats- putting it in the sun speeds up the process.

[Chexi]

RE: Re-Finishing my Teak Platform

Personally, I prefer the Interlux cleaner to Starbrite. I also prefer the Interlux teak oil to the Starbrite. Interlux is a 2-step process instead of 3, so you save some money on the materials and time. But I prefer the look of it as well. Interlux teak oil is bit on the lighter (colorwise) side than Starbrite. It's really a personal preference thing.

That said, I'm actually going to re-do mine with Cetol Marine original finish (top and side only). Wake_fun swears by it. Do a search for his posts and check out his album. His platform looks incredible, and he hasn't had to touch it in 3 years. I'll be putting my first coat on today. I'll post pictures of the process. Note, you do need to do a little sanding for the Cetol Marine. It recommends 120 grit. However, I followed that with a higher grit to smooth it out a bit. Be careful with sanding, and keep it to a minimum. Your screws will poke through if you sand too much.

[TRBenj]

RE: Re-Finishing my Teak Platform

FYI, you dont need to do all 3 steps of the starbrite- I only use the cleaner and the oil. Ive never tried the Interlux. Ive never had any luck changing the color of the teak with the oil- Ive used a mixture of teak/ATF/linseed oil, as well as several different teak oils and the color always comes out the same. My dad's 196 is much darker and redder than mine and we use the same stuff- so coloring really has a lot more to do with the natural color of the wood than the oil thats used, IMHO.





Is that Cetol Marine finish one of those paint on products? Its not a teak oil correct? Those have never looked quite right to me- too orangy and unnatural. Im sure regular oiling will be somewhat more maintenance, but you sure cant beat the look.

[Chexi]

RE: Re-Finishing my Teak Platform

Correct, Cetol Marine is not an oil. It is what they use on the wood decking and other wood parts above the waterline on nice sail boats. It looks a lot like your second picture. I'm guessing that you and your dad have maintained your platforms from new. That would be why you don't need the brightener step with Starbrite. I also skipped that step, but my results were not as good. Unfortunately, I bought mine used, and it was not well cared for. I have not been able to get mine back to looking new with cleaners (althought the Interlux did a pretty good job), and I have only been willing to do very light sanding due to the screw poke-through problem. As a result, I got mine looking good, but not great. Mine will not look as good as your 2nd picture due to the reasons below.

I just put my first coat of Cetol Marine on over lunch. I think it is going to look pretty good. My problem is that the closest 3 slats of my swim step are darker than the rest, presumably due to carbon emissions from the exhaust. The cleaners and sanding have helped, but there is still a somewhat noticeable difference in color. I can only put 1 coat on every 24 hours, so it will be a few days before mine is done. I will post pictures of bare and each layer.

[TRBenj]

Re: RE: Re-Finishing my Teak Platform

I'm guessing that you and your dad have maintained your platforms from new. That would be why you don't need the brightener step with Starbrite. I also skipped that step, but my results were not as good.

My dad's, yes- mine, no. I bought my '90 in '05 with 1100+ hrs on it. The platform was covered in polyurethane and a lot of mildew. I had to completely disassemble it and sand the finish off, and the cleaner and a brass brush brought it right back after that. The pic above is actually pretty old- I tried a new method that involved wetsanding between coats of oil last winter. The platform looks 100% better and will only need a few touch ups this off-season. When oiled it looks pretty darn close to a fine piece of furniture. Ill have to get a pic.

[wake_fun]

RE: Re: RE: Re-Finishing my Teak Platform

Going on 6 years and haven't touched it since I put the Cetol on..................

[Chexi]

RE: Re: RE: Re-Finishing my Teak Platform

Just be careful. You don't want to sand it every year. You really don't want to sand it at all if possible. You will sooner or later start running in to the screw points from the wood supports underneath. Mine had one already poking through slightly before I even sanded it. It's possible that the previous owner sanded it. It's also possible that this particular screw was just overtightenend. Regardless, it had me scared of what might happen if I kept sanding.

BTW, TRBenj, your first pic gives me hope. I have a very similar platform on my other boat that is in terrible shape (also bought that boat used). You have given me hope that I will be able to bring it back to life as well.

[Batman]

RE: Re: RE: Re-Finishing my Teak Platform

Spray with pure bleach, scrub with stiff bristle brush, pressure wash off the sludge. Repeat process and coat with teak oil several times and that pup will look like new.

[Trevorg7]

RE: Re: RE: Re-Finishing my Teak Platform

I've heard that one should never sand teak but I if you have very rough edges I don't know away around it.

I recently redid my teak swim deck and used all three steps in the Starbrite system. I did notice a difference after using the brightener - which I did not think I would.

Attached are a few pictures along he way.
Pic#1 - as was
Pic#2 - using cleaner
Pic#3 - after cleaner and brightener
Pic#4 - 5 coats of oil

T

[Trevorg7]

RE: Re: RE: Re-Finishing my Teak Platform

...one more as was from the end of the summer 2008.

T

[Chexi]

Here is mine, sanded and ready to go. You will note that the 4 slats closest to the transom are slightly darker. Perhaps I should have bleached them, but I think it's just part of the wood.

[Chexi]

Here is right after the first coat. It's still wet, but I checked tonight and it looks about the same. A little less glossy.

[BKinSoCal]

Lookin' good. I love the look of teak!!!

[wake_fun]

Here is right after the first coat. It's still wet, but I checked tonight and it looks about the same. A little less glossy.

Looks good!!!! :mrgreen: