Teak cleaning?

[h20ski]

Current issue of SAIL magazine has a suggestion to clean teak by:
1) wetting down boat
2) spraying mixture of 1/3 bleach and 2/3 water on teak
3) let mixture sit- do not rinse off and leave sit
Repeat weekly and teak will supposedly stay a nice silver color. Leaving the bleach mixture purportedly kills the organic nasties/ removes the black color and the teak is not harmed from otherwise scrubbing or using cleaners.
Has anyone tried this, does it work? Do you have to worry about leaving the bleach mixture on other components?

[k1vsk]

Clearly it works as it would appear the author has used it with great success. It all depends on how often you want to do it, how much teak you have and what you prefer the finish to look like. The bleach wouldn't effect the fiberglass or it's finish wax or acrylic. About the only concern you may have is the bleach oxidixing any adjacent unprotected metals but that too should not be an issue presuming your aluminum is already oxidized and SS is uneffected.
There are lots of other compounds which will work as effectively, e,g, peroxides, with similar results

[mjname]

I use 25% bleach solution on the decking to remove the green mildow before I stain it. I guess you might want a stronger mixture for boat teak. However I can't imagine spraying bleach once a week... I might use this suggestion to get a jump start on the major spring cleaning of the teak. I cleaned mine this summer and really loved how it looked afterwards and all I had to do was keep it oiled to inhibite it truning grey and then black.

Will try the bleach this spring as an initial part of the cleaning would really prefer not to have to scrub so hard.

Matthew

[sailingdog]

K1vsk-

I think that the bleach presents a risk with any boats that have 304 stainless parts near the deck. 304 Stainless is susceptible to chloride stress cracks. YMMV.

[cardiacpaul]

I use chreap clabber girl cleanser with bleach, cost about 50 cents at the dollar general, wet the surface, sprinkle liberally, diddle around on the boat for awhile, then get the kid to brush it off with a floor brush and hose the deck down after that. It seems to do the job nicely.

After it dries a half a day in the texas sun, the cuban and the kid take an old sock soaked in teak oil to it. again, works nicely...
Now, the Cuban has seen another boat with varnished teak and has decided that she wants that "look"
damn, I had it made.

[sailingdog]

CP-

You're soooo screwed... But she's the boss.. Of course, you could always give the argument that varnished teak decks are far more slippery than unvarnished decks...and therefore less safe...

[werebeagle]

CP

Give her some sandpaper, some varnish and a good brush for Christmas

But then, she'll probably want you to do all the upkeep after the initial varnishing.

Charlie

[cardiacpaul]

Don't I know it.

So, I'll be bringing the hatchboards (x3) back w/me tomorrow.
no teak decks, thank gawd


There is a method to my madness.

I'm figuring after the sanding, prep, and the first 7 or 8 coats, she'll tire of that little excersize.

(a man can dream)

[sailingdog]

CP-

You actually think she's going to do any of the work... HA....Now I know you're dreaming.

[cardiacpaul]

hatchboards are @ the house, ready to go... gotta trim the tree, presents need to be wrapped & sent, dinner needs to be made, the kid needs homework help....

I see how this is going to go already