Teak Question???

**beer30** · 03-26-2005, 11:59 AM

I got a swim platform that I can't keep looking good. I stripped down last year and put a good oil on it. Two months later it looked like chit. When the boat is not in the water, I keep the whole thing covered. Does anybody have some ideas of something that might last a little longer?

Thanks, Chuck.

**pyro** · 03-26-2005, 01:23 PM

Teak oil doesn't last-- It just doesn't. Sand it down and re-finish it with something durable like Polyurethane. You'll get the same look, but it will last for years...

**Fish** · 03-26-2005, 01:29 PM

pyro is right, it does not last when finished. THere are other finishes like perma teak, but IMHO, it does not look nearly as good as cleaned, brightened, and oiled teak.

Also, some oils are better. The heavier oils like amazon and the west copy of it suck. They have some sort of gum in them that seem to attract dirt and hold it. Tip top teak oil is light and finishes well.

**beer30** · 03-26-2005, 01:36 PM

Will polyurethane soak in or sit on top? Do they make a specific one for this job?Chuck.

**Jay R.** · 03-26-2005, 02:02 PM

they do but i don't know the name, maybe one of these guys do. you'll have to check.
but it won't look like oiled teak. it will be shiny and will be slick when wet.

**beer30** · 03-26-2005, 02:17 PM

I can't have something slick, when it's wet. My wife and little girl use that platform everytime we are out. Chuck

**Jay R.** · 03-26-2005, 02:21 PM

Yeah thats why i posted that, what i have done in the past is to futz with the urethean just as it started to harden and got groves and bumbs in it, not as slick but a little hard on the tootsies!

**1BadAction** · 03-26-2005, 02:24 PM

you could also shake a little fine grit blaster sand on the top when the paint is still wet, but that would kind of defeat the purpose of coating it for looks.

**pyro** · 03-26-2005, 02:35 PM

If you bake the platform in the sun before you finish it, it will thin the finish and soak it in deeper. Leave it in the midday sun as it dries. This will, in effect, give you the wood-grain groove texture in one coat, and it won't be overly slick.

**beer30** · 03-26-2005, 03:33 PM

Your saying to sanded it down, then put a coat on it. Leave it in the sun will help soak in more. Then do I put another coat it, again leave it in sun? Also what brand should I get? Chuck.

**pyro** · 03-26-2005, 03:43 PM

My dad and one of his ski buddies re-finished the platform on his MasterCraft, after many frustrating attempts at teak-oiling it. I think they used polyurethane. I'll ask him about it tomorrow, and I'll ask him how many coats. I think it was just one.

His lakefront house faces South, so the platform gets a lot of sun, even with the boat lift cranked up. It has held up for a couple years now after re-finishing it.

**beer30** · 03-26-2005, 03:59 PM

Thanks, have a good Easter.

Chuck.

**ssent** · 03-26-2005, 04:30 PM

I use lemon oil, same kind I use on my bose 901's. It's a furniture polish made for wood. It doesn't hold the dirt like teak oil does. About every 3 weeks it needs reapplied, seems to last just a little longer than teak oil. After initial use the teak is definitely easier to clean up between applications. Letting it soak in the sun when appling helps deep penetration. Polyurethane is a one step solution that tends to yellow after a couple years in the sun. The rich look of oiled teak beats out yellowed polyurethane anyday. Just my $.02

**Liqui-Fly** · 03-27-2005, 10:48 AM

Silkens deck products work pretty good but their colors suck. The best I've found is West System epoxy with Epiphanes varnish over the top. Get as much oil out of the teak as you can with acetone...put a couple of coats of West System down and a couple of coats of varnish. Teak is one of those things that like a yearly scuff and new coat of varnish. Urethanes are too hard and will crack peel and blister.

User Tag List

Thread: Teak Question???

Thread Tools

Display

Teak Question???

Pyro.

Pyro

Lemon oil

For lasting performance

Posting Permissions