Maintenance of interior teak on a Hunter 320

[Stephen Dale]

Does anyone have any sage advice on how to maintain the teak interior on a Hunter 320 (or similar vessel). Do I just get out the teak oil and go to town?

 

[Don S/V ILLusion]

I’ve used both teak oil and lemon oil at other times, the latter smells better. Both attract dust but fortunately most boats sail where dust isn’t a big problem.

 

[Dave Groshong]

SeaFin teak oil has garnered great reviews over many years:

SeaFin Teak Oil - Dalys | Fisheries Supply

Save More on Your Dalys SeaFin Teak Oil at Fisheries Supply. Excellent Customer Service, Ready to Ship. Marine Supplies Since 1928!

www.fisheriessupply.com

 

[sailmcchico]

I am in a similar dilemma. I want to preserve without darkening. I do not have a need to sand it nor restore it. I just want to preserve. I have read so much. So many opinions. I purchased a 1991 Sailboat with Natural Teak Interior that looks awesome like factory. Warm perfect teak color. No varnish. Not too light and not dark at all. I want to keep same. It is not shiny and it is not dark. I want to slightly clean and maintain so it does not discolors but at same time absolutely NO DARKENING. I do not want the color to darken and want it to remain “as is” forever. Now given this -- what would be the recommendation ?

 

[Hayden Watson]

For years I used a coconut teak oil which was a blend of coconut and tongue oils. It did a very good job of making the teak look great and "fed" rather than than dried out. I applied it once a year and the boat looks great all year round. One of the nicest things about this oil was that it smelled great (like baking cookies since we use coconut oil for most baking). We ran out a couple of years ago and have not been able to find any more. Last year we used warmed coconut oil (apply thin and after it soaks for a few minutes, buff off any residual oil. That also worked very well but you need to be careful to not put it on too heavy.

I found this web page for a mixture of two parts coconut oil and one part of real limon juice. Whisk it together to emulsify the mixture. I will try that next year.

 

[sailmcchico]

For years I used a coconut teak oil which was a blend of coconut and tongue oils. It did a very good job of making the teak look great and "fed" rather than than dried out. I applied it once a year and the boat looks great all year round. One of the nicest things about this oil was that it smelled great (like baking cookies since we use coconut oil for most baking). We ran out a couple of years ago and have not been able to find any more. Last year we used warmed coconut oil (apply thin and after it soaks for a few minutes, buff off any residual oil. That also worked very well but you need to be careful to not put it on too heavy.

I found this web page for a mixture of two parts coconut oil and one part of real limon juice. Whisk it together to emulsify the mixture. I will try that next year.

Thanks. Did it ever darken the teak?

 

[Hayden Watson]

Thanks. Did it ever darken the teak?

What you see in my photo is what it looks like all the time. I have been doing this for 24-years and I think it looks great.

 

[jssailem]

Do I just get out the teak oil and go to town?

Yes... No ... Maybe
What look do you desire in your boat?

When I reach the interior refurbish stage on my boat, I plan to use Total Boats Halcyon satin Varnish. It is water based, levels nicely, can be recoated after an hour (no sanding), build up to 3 coats in 24 hours before sanding.

 

[Hayden Watson]

... Do I just get out the teak oil and go to town?

As John said, it all depends on what type of finish you want.

• Some want a high gloss finish that they can shave in.
• Some like the depth without the gloss of a satin finish in varnish.
• Some like the warm glow of an oiled finish.

The choice is yours depending on your tastes.
For me, I hate a high gloss finish on anything made from wood. It is too hard to keep looking perfect and if it is not perfect, it looks terrible, IMHO. High gloss is for completely smooth and hard surfaces like exterior fiberglass or vehicle bodies.
An interior satin finish is much more user friendly in that it does not show every imperfection, but I find to look to "plastic" for my taste and requires multiple coats with sanding between to get it to look the way it is intended.
My preference is a good un-tinted oil finish, especially if the previous finish was also oil. My boat was 11-years old when I got her and the interior finish was oil which appeared to have been re-oiled regularly and all that has been needed for the past 24 years was one annual wipe down with a rag with some oil on it. If your interior wood is in good condition but dry, I would wash it thoroughly with soap and water then lightly sand the surface and coat with your choice of finish.

 

[sailmcchico]

What you see in my photo is what it looks like all the time. I have been doing this for 24-years and I think it looks great.View attachment 210948

Awesome! Coconut is it! Looks great! BTW -- mine looks very similar color. Hard to believe its 31 years old. That is why I want to look after it and mind it. Thanks!

 

[Ken13559]

I use Restor'-a-Finish follow by beeswax.

KenY

 

[sailcapt340]

My recommendation is what I use, Old English Oil. If you just want to preserve finishes you have and maintain the different contrasts you have, a light oil is perfect. I‘ve used Old English on wooden dashboards of antique cars, furniture and new installations of wood. It absorbs quickly, repels water and protects.
I learned this tip from a furniture restorer years ago and have used it ever since. Don’t be fooled by “lemon oil sprays” it’s not the same.
A small old towel or rag and rub it on.

I use it on my boat in the spring as the last part of my commission routine, once during the summer (those days when your just sitting and not sailing) and sometimes when I put it into winter storage.
No buildup of waxes to deal with, it just conditions wood very nicely.
I only have a couple of photos to show of the interior of my boat right now, as I am using an iPad right now and all my photos are stored on a drive for computer. But you’ll get the idea.
Hope this helps.

 

[sailmcchico]

Thank you, Old English main oil is petrolium distillates I belive. From my reads some love and some do not like. The more I read the more I get confused of the best to apply for interior Teak Wood to preserve and prevent darkening. I think my list has been reduced between petrolium distillates (like Old English, WD-40, Pledge and others) and beeswax and lemon oil. I may be considering testing in wood the different stuff and see but it takes so long to age that I may not see proper results until too late Thank you for your input - I like Old English. The previous owner was using Pledge -- not sure if I whould stick to this for now or have any consequence down the road.

Has anyone been using Pledge successfully also ?

Has anyone have also used The Original Bee's Wax Polish and if there is POR / CONS for Interior Teak Wood ?

https://www.kroger.com/p/the-original-bee-s-wax-polish-lemon-scent-bee-s-wax-polish-spray/0081009204002?fulfillment=PICKUP&searchType=default_search

Thank you !

 

[sailcapt340]

I don’t know if I am reading this correctly, but did you say you are considering using WD-40?
Please don’t. You may strip wood, streak wood and the odors alone from that much will never leave your boat.
Try the Old English in an inconspicuous spot, but I don’t think you will have any reaction. The smell of lemon oil of Old English will stay and refresh the boat when closed up.
I use it on the stair treads as well, as they get wet more often than any other wood in the boat. It repels the water and the stairs are not slippery. (WD…you‘ll make an ice rink).
I use it on my sink grate you see in the photo and water just rolls off.

 

[sailmcchico]

Thanks. I just read in one of the forums a Sailor mixed 50/50 WD40 with linseed boiled oil I belive and caught my attention. I will get a bottle of Old English and keep the Pledge (from prior owner) and test both in an inconspicuous place and compare

Thank you!