I'm doing a bit of a spruce up while the weather is holding out, and my teak decks are looking a little tired- the teak is beginning to get a bit of a greyish tint.

I was wondering what I can do to brighten it up- I have heard that you shouldn't use oils as the teak itself has enough in it for it's lifetime? Is there anything else I can use?

So, my next question is- how can you tell when the decks need replacing? I'm the second owner from new- and these decks have been on board for about 8 years....?

I look forward to hearing your answers!

Anna

Don't oil it- in the heat it will start to ooze! Or at least thats what's I've witnessed.

Personally I rather like that grey look, shows it is real teak and not a plasic look-alike.

Teak cleaners are readily available and are generally based upon oxalic acid, alternatively buy oxalic acid crystals from a chemist and dislove them in fresh water.

It is generally recommended to wash teak decks with sea water as the salt is hygroscopic and thus attracts more water out of the atmosphere and this prevents the deck from over drying. Plain wood is also a lot more non-slip.

I guess teak decks need replacing when you can see daylight through them, yours have probably got another twenty years of life left.

Yeah, don't replace them! Vast expense and think of the trees! No, really- that's the great thing about teak- lasts longer than a thatch roof. And I agree with Chas, the grey look is rather fetching, unless yours is a classic boat with gleaming varnish?

But, like Rhiannon says, no oil. I have not tried Chas's salt water, but there's no harm is trying that, or just go through some rough seas and let the sea do it's worst.

Thanks all! I gave them a good old scrub with salt water and they have definitely brightened up significantly. I was tempted by the oil, but I guess it's true that I may as well not have teak if I am going to that. Thanks so much for all your help!

What ever you do don't let varnish anywhere near them. I once saw a a boat with the entire deck varnished. The owner was planning to cross the Atlantic. I think he got as far as Queenborough. By then he had realised the error.

Have to agree with Harry myself; I kind of prefer the greyish look! Don’t scrub too much as it can make the teak go greyer that before; almost black in some cases.

You can buy specific teak oils that will give it back a warmer colour. Oil intensifies the colours and grain patterns of wood and gives the wood a rich, warm appearance. It is arguably the most attractive of all wood finishes. The sorry truth is that teak will last just as long if you don't oil it, since repeated between-coat scrubbing wears the wood away. But oiling teak isn't about protecting the wood.

Teak oils are primarily either linseed oil or tung oil, bolstered by resins to make them more durable. Linseed oil tends to darken the teak, but it is significantly cheaper. Tung oil doesn't darken the wood, and it is more water resistant than linseed oil-a notable advantage for boat use. However, a month or two after application, it may be hard to discern that much difference since both oils carbonize in the sun and turn dark. Proprietary teak oils address this problem with various additives, including pigments, UV filters, and mildew retardants. Some that perform admirably in one climate are reviled in another. If you are going to oil your teak, make your teak oil selection based on the recommendations of other boatowners in your area.

Wipe up any drips or runs on fiberglass or painted surfaces, or the resins the oil contains will leave dark, nearly-impossible-to-remove stains.

Fred - I am sure I have seen teak varnish's availbe. Whats the problem with using those?

The benefit of teak is that it is a very good non-slip surface. If you varnish it, in the wet it behaves like ice. Not a good thing on a boat.