Shower Drain Teak - What's That About?

[Jtcf78911]

Dear Friends in Sail;

Mr. Newbie here, new owner of an old 1985 O'Day 28 Ft. doing some boat exploration and cleaning this past weekend, and when pulling the shower floor plastic cover I noted the drain is surrounded by, planted in, a rectangular piece of teak wood, which may have looked good at one time, but now it looks pretty crappy. Not sure what logic would have dictated a piece of teak in this spot. Anyhow, should I pull it an replace it, and if so, with what? More teak....surely not. Guidance and experience on this little subject appreciated.. Tom O'Day 28.

 

[Peggie Hall HeadMistress]

Actually, teak might not be such a bad idea...IF you maintain it. It holds up beautifully on the outside of boats and on patio furniture where it's exposed to summer heat, freezing winters, sun and rain. I had a teak grate over the shower drain on my own boat.

Covering it with plastic is what did all the damage....kept it from ever being able to dry out. If you clean it up, sand it smooth, and treat it with Cetol (or varnish, but Cetol is easier to maintain) according to the same directions for using it on exterior teak (all of which will be a lot easier if you can remove it to it) and DON'T cover it with plastic!-- it should wear well and look great. A light sanding and a fresh coat of Cetol every couple of years should be all that's needed to keep it in great shape. If it's beyond salvaging, replace it and treat the new piece with Cetol.

That's my $.02 worth anyway...what I'd do if it were my boat.

 

[Jtcf78911]

Actually, teak might not be such a bad idea...IF you maintain it. It holds up beautifully on the outside of boats and on patio furniture where it's exposed to summer heat, freezing winters, sun and rain. I had a teak grate over the shower drain on my own boat.

Covering it with plastic is what did all the damage....kept it from ever being able to dry out. If you clean it up, sand it smooth, and treat it with Cetol (or varnish, but Cetol is easier to maintain) according to the same directions for using it on exterior teak (all of which will be a lot easier if you can remove it to it) and DON'T cover it with plastic!-- it should wear well and look great. A light sanding and a fresh coat of Cetol every couple of years should be all that's needed to keep it in great shape. If it's beyond salvaging, replace it and treat the new piece with Cetol.

That's my $.02 worth anyway...what I'd do if it were my boat.

Thanks Peggy. It was actually covered by a grated piece of rubber/plastic mat...so it did receive some air. That said, I'd refurbishing the rest of the teak on the boat, so may as well take a run at this little bit while I'm at it... Somewhat related, have you ever used Te-Ka for restoration of teak services?

Finally, very sorry to hear about your boat. Has the mystery sinking been solved?

Thanks again for above - Tom O'Day 28

 

[Jtcf78911]

Ugh..sorry for the typos...I hate spelling errors and computerized spell help...

 

[bawlmer]

I vote for saving the teak also. I had a 1971 Irwin with all the original teak still intact when I sold it in 2006. You should never have to throw out teak. I think you will be glad you decided to save it.

 

[Peggie Hall HeadMistress]

Thanks Peggy. It was actually covered by a grated piece of rubber/plastic mat...so it did receive some air. That said, I'd refurbishing the rest of the teak on the boat, so may as well take a run at this little bit while I'm at it... Somewhat related, have you ever used Te-Ka for restoration of teak services?Thanks again for above - Tom O'Day 28

I've never been a fan of Teka...it has a yellow cast and I don't think it wears all that well either. I used Cetol on my own boats, inside and out. When done right, which is...:
Prep as if you were going to varnish, including sanding smooth as a baby's cheek, waiting until it's bone dry to put the first coat on, and put THREE coats on, "sanding" each lightly with fine bronze wool
...it looks great and it's easier to maintain that anything else, 'cuz all it needs when it STARTS to show a little wear (don't wait till you'd have to start over!) is another light "sanding" with bronze wool and one more coat. Some people think it has an orange case, but I found that depends on the color of the wood to start with.