Teak Deck Caulking Comparison
When caulking teak deck seams, you actually have three choices: Life Calk 1-part, Life Calk 2-part and Teak Deck Sealant. The differences are: Life Calk 1-part, as the name indicates, is a one component material and is ready to use straight from the cartridge. It is slow curing (7-10) and requires temperature and humidity to cure. Additionally, when caulking teak the use of Life Calk Primer is required. Life Calk 2-part is a two component material and requires mixing. It is available in 2 grades, the most popular for teak decks being the pourable type (Type P). It has a 24 hour cure but requires no priming, even on teak. Because you are adding the catalyst, it has a limited working time and the use of quarts instead of gallons is recommended. Teak Deck Sealant is a one component, silicone based sealant designed to be resistant to fuel, cleaners and oils. It requires no mixing, cures in 24 hours and needs no primer. The draw back to Teak Deck Sealant is that because it is silicone based it cannot be varnished or painted. Additionally, Teak Deck Sealant will adhere to Life Calk, but not the other way around. Life Calk will not adhere to Teak Deck Sealant although Life Calk will adhere to itself.
