Teak Restoration from Flooding

[weephee]

I mentioned in a previous post that I had purchased a 25 ft Columbia sailboat. The boat was on land and apparently the owner didn't open some drain ****. The interior of the boat filled up about 12 inches above the floor with rain water. This allowed the oil from the Atomic 4 engine to mix with the flood water. I'm no sure how long the boat was in this condition but once it was drained there was a 12 inch band of black residue around the perimeter of the interior. The wood is teak and is in excellent shape except for this mess. I took a door off and tried cleaning it with mineral spirits. The oil came off but not the black stain. Any ideas how I can restore the wood back to its orange color. Thanks

[harryrezz]

You might try one of the commerecial teak cleaner/brightener kits such as the one from StarBrite - available at West Marine and other retailers (no affiliation with the maker). It has an acidic cleaner which might cut out the rest of the stains and the restorer/brightener will help with the color. If you are still not happy with the end result once it has dried it may be time to break out the sander.

[sailingdog]

You can try using oxalic acid or some other similar wood bleaching acid to kill the black stain, which is likely mold related.

[artbyjody]

Originally Posted by weephee

I mentioned in a previous post that I had purchased a 25 ft Columbia sailboat. The boat was on land and apparently the owner didn't open some drain ****. The interior of the boat filled up about 12 inches above the floor with rain water. This allowed the oil from the Atomic 4 engine to mix with the flood water. I'm no sure how long the boat was in this condition but once it was drained there was a 12 inch band of black residue around the perimeter of the interior. The wood is teak and is in excellent shape except for this mess. I took a door off and tried cleaning it with mineral spirits. The oil came off but not the black stain. Any ideas how I can restore the wood back to its orange color. Thanks

Here is what you need to do:

1. Using a small screwdriver, anvil - heck even a nail... poke into the "blackened" areas. If the object injects itself easily - the black is ROT and not just mildew.

2. If the case is above - you are gonna have to consider one of two things. Digging it all out - and filling with epoxy, taking the effected pieces out - cutting off the rotted areas and tab in replacement.

3. If its just soft kinda soft - meaning it pierces but doesn't go anywhere - (like a scratch)... first try a 10:1 water / bleach solution. Use a brush and liberally coat the area. Let sit for 24 hrs - and if it is just mold it will go away with a greenie or fine grit 3M sand pad - and you'll have to do this and try to go with the grain - I prefer doing a wet sand as it helps bring out the bleach.


The reason I state this - is that there is a big difference between rot and mold although esthetically they will have they same appearance initially until some physical test is conducted outside of sanding a horizontal surface.

Acid solutions are not good because most do not due the diligence of rinsing the wood of the acid and in the case of teak - acid strips the wood of it oils causing the grains to lift and inducing a weakness in the wood as those fibers are now expanded to a lesser density. Bleach is mild - but is extremely effective.

[weephee]

Thanks for the responses. There is absolutely no rot at all in the wood. Even the panels that are veneered haven't delaminated and there is no mold. I am not that familiar with teak but I know that when oak gets wet it turns black and the teak seems to have done the same. I am sure I've gotten all the motor oil off the door. I did try household laundry bleach. I put it on full strength rubbing it in with a pad and then washing it out immediately. I'll try your suggestions next and let you know how it turns out. If that doesn't work, sanding will be my next approach. Thanks

[camaraderie]

Let me caution you ...solid TEAK is way different to deal with than teak veneer over plywood where the teak may be 1/16 of n inch thick. Be sure what you have as the use of any abrasives on veneer could be ruinous. Door frames are generally solid while panels and floorboards are most often veneer.

[merc2dogs]

When I bought my triton a few years ago it had sat for 10 years or so, had the same black 'band'

I tried scrubbing it, scraping, end about everything else I could find. What worked was castrol superclean, (not made by castrol anymore but still made) and it surprised me with how well it worked, just rinse it well.

Since then I've used it on nearly everything I need to clean, from boats to motorcycles, it will discolor aluminum and brass/bronze if you don't rinse it well. Also, it can't be beat for cleaning varnish and 'crud' from old carbs.

Ken.

[weephee]

Thanks Ken. Where do you purchase castrol superclean.

[jjablonowski]

Super Clean Tough Task Cleaner-Degreaser