Teak is a wonderful and unique type of wood used in many aspects of yacht building, including decks, handrails, ladders, trim and interior floors. The surface of teak wood feels dry, but its oily content repels water, making it ideal for the yachting industry.
Here are some maintenance tips that will keep your teak deck looking great
Cleaning
We recommend rinsing your decks once a week to remove any surface dirt. Use fresh or salt water without cleaners. This will prevent pollution. Generally, your teak decks will require a more thorough cleaning every three months. This should be done using a mild cleaning solution. Make a soap solution 1% soft soap in a bucket of warm water. Take a soft brush and scrub the decks, exerting light pressure on the brush, across the grain of the wood or make rotating movements. This is a good way of removing the contaminants from the deck without causing damage.
We also recommend having your teak decks inspected every 2-3 years. Caulked seams can become worn over time. It is important to replace or repair these worn caulked seams in time to prevent moisture penetrating between or below the teak deck planks.
Sealing
Another way to maintain the natural look of teak is the application of a sealer. Durability and ease of application have made some sealers very popular. Teak sealers are similar to oils, but contain a higher percentage of solids. Most sealers contain UV protection, which prolongs the the appearance of the teak and the life of the deck. This means sealers build up faster on the wood and generally last longer than oils. Sealers do not feed the wood but, as the name suggests, they seal out moisture and dirt, whilst retaining the natural oils of the wood.
Sealers need an oil-free surface to attach to, so wipe the wood heavily with a rag soaked in acetone to remove all oil from the surface. The oil the wood has absorbed will be unaffected by this quick-flashing solvent. Unless instructions say otherwise, apply sealer using a sponge brush. Wipe away all excess with a cloth. Apply additional coats until the surface has a uniform matte finish. Keep your decks looking their best by washing it and applying a fresh coat of sealer every six months (or as recommended by the product used). Please note, depending upon the brand or tone of sealer used and/or the age and condition of your decks, it may be necessary to apply a fresh coat of sealer as often as every 3 to 3 months. This is however a fairly easy and quick process.
If you have any questions about the information presented here, do not hesitate to contact us.
