For the love of Teak

[EmeraldCoastSailor]

My 13 year old teak in my cockpit has been cleaned with a deck brush and boat soap. The brush isn't stiff at all; rather soft actually. But I am afraid I brushed with the grain and over time it has broken down the teak, actually removing perhaps .5 - .75 millimeter off the top of some of it. Not sure if there is any recovery I can do.

[sailingabe41ds]

Originally Posted by KP44

The accounts I have read of old windjammers is they used urine to scrub the decks and rinsed with sea water.
Not the lifestyle I want.

I think the idea behind urine is that it is a lower ph (acid) that is why sometimes they suggest using vinegar....and its free (the urine).

Abe

[David B]

Originally Posted by Emmalina

Given myself more blisters than fingers but its worth it to get the old teak oil off and it is only every 5 years or so

Semco Teak Cleaner and Restorer works wonders.
We also use the Semco Teak Sealer (Natural Tone).
On a 50' mono, 4 person-hours per year is needed to apply another coat of sealer. After 8 years in the Med, our teak still looks like new teak (we do use a winter cover)

[Cachimba]

My recommendation is to use only sea water, be careful if you are going to use water from the port as it can be dirty. Using a very very soft brush and always cleaning against the grain is important.

[Vasco]

What, no holy stone anymore?

[Exctyengr]

Without personally looking at your decks and evaluating their condition I am in no position to recommend a fix. That said, my recommendation is to get a copy of Rebecca Whittman's seminal book "Brightwork, the art of finishing wood"; her chapter 14 is all about "Rescuing Teak Decks" (Indeed that is the title of the chapter). She discusses evaluating their condition, and offers a range of repairs from simple sea water and soft brush to treating with various cleaners and restores and even sanding and re caulking.
Good luck, please keep us informed.