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Catalina/Capri 25/250 Sailor's Forums

Catalina 25 Specific Forum

teak cleaner

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cmckitrick
Navigator

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USA
119 Posts

Initially Posted - 03/10/2004 : 10:43:16

I know the topic of teak evokes many opinions which is what I am looking for. I am restoring the exterior teak of my '82 Catalina 25. I have sanded all I could. I am wondering if I should still use a teak cleaner and if so what? I have read that some of the two part cleaners are too harsh. Any suggestions? When I get to the interior do people recommend completely sanding it down? I am alos wondering about gloss vs. satin for the outside.

Thanks.

Charlie McKitrick
Norwell, MA
Valiant Lady... for now
'81 C 25 SR/FK

Edited by - on

cmckitrick
Navigator

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USA
119 Posts

Response Posted - 03/10/2004 : 13:30:31

I guess this was not as hot a topic as I thought.

Edited by - on

Steve Milby
Past Commodore

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5906 Posts

Response Posted - 03/10/2004 : 13:52:28

Sorry you didn't get a response. Sometimes it takes a day before someone gets around to replying.

IF you'll click on these two hyperlinks, they will take you to recent, exhaustive discussions of interior teak. After you have sanded your teak, you probably don't need to use a teak cleaner. Whether you use gloss or satin on your exterior teak is purely a matter of personal preference. Which looks better to you? The best thing I have ever done for my teak is to make covers for the exterior teak. Covers protect it from the sun and water when you're not using the boat, and it makes your maintenance <u>much</u> easier.

http://catalina25-250.org/forum/topic.asp?TOPIC_ID=5352& SearchTerms=interior teak

http://catalina25-250.org/forum/topic.asp?TOPIC_ID=5905& SearchTerms=interior teak

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TomA
1st Mate

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USA
91 Posts

Response Posted - 03/10/2004 : 17:06:47

I agree with Steve, that you probably don't need a teak cleaner after sanding. However, if some stains or oils remain, I have found that a little TSP (trisodiumphosphate) dissolved in water can work wonders on your external teak. You can buy it at most hardware stores.

Good luck!

Tom

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OJ
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
4382 Posts

Response Posted - 03/10/2004 : 17:09:53

Just a heads up - with some chemical cleaners, if it is allowed to run down onto the windows, it can damage the aluminum window frames anodized finish.

Edited by - OJ on 03/10/2004 17:52:45

rford
1st Mate

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USA
73 Posts

Response Posted - 03/10/2004 : 17:31:18

What's the recommended process for exterior teak?

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oldsalt
Admiral

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USA
578 Posts

Response Posted - 03/10/2004 : 18:56:01

You have to be careful with teak cleaners since if allowed to run down on your aluminum windows, if not washed off immediately, they will irrepairably stain them. Marine teak cleaners will also remove the pulp in your teak.
If you want to brighten (bleach) your teak, Starbrite teak brightener will do the trick, but I would stay away from the cleaners since they will ultimately damage your teak as you scrub it down.

Edited by - on

Steve Milby
Past Commodore

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USA
5906 Posts

Response Posted - 03/10/2004 : 19:02:16

Also, keep the sanding of your teak to a bare minimum. After a few years, it weakens them significantly, and those rascals are fairly expensive to replace.

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John J.
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USA
157 Posts

Response Posted - 03/10/2004 : 19:05:36

I think Iv'e tried just about everything on exrerior teak. If the wood doesn't need to be stripped due to remnants of a hardened finish like varnish, Iv'e had great success with either Te-Ka or Teak Wonder. Te-Ka is the fastest but you need to have a hose and fresh water ready because the runoff can stain fiberglass. Teak Wonder won't. If your wood is just silvered from the effects of the sun, both of these products will restore the natural color easily. I don't rcommend bleach because it washes out the beautiful natural color of the teak. After that , do a little sanding, and you're back to almost new. Most folks seem to prefer Cetol because of the ease of maintenance, but I don't like the way it looks. Beauty is in the eye of the beerholder as they say. Last year I removed most of the exterior teak and applied 8 coats of marine varnish . A really great reference is a book called "Brightwork" bt Rebecca Whitman. I wouldn't recommend the varnishing route unless you 're queer for wood like I am and enjoy the process!

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cmckitrick
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USA
119 Posts

Response Posted - 03/11/2004 : 08:26:21

Thanks everyone for your helpful answers. John, I am going the varnishing route because I am "queer for wood". I don't care how much work it takes (of course I say that now, I havent done it yet). As a fellow boat owner told me about brightwork, the beauty of the end result is directly proportional to the work you put into it.

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Notice: The advice given on this site is based upon individual or quoted experience, yours may differ.
The Officers, Staff and members of this site only provide information based upon the concept that anyone utilizing this information does so at their own risk and holds harmless all contributors to this site.