Teak Cleaner

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Salty

Salty

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Dec 2, 2008
144
Catalina 390 14 Perth Amboy, NJ
I am in the process of looking for a teak cleaner and varnish / oil to redo my boat interior. I am redoing my floors, and the companion way including the steps, which is not in bad condition but needs a little work. My choices for the cleaner are between the Captain John’s boat brite teak cleaner and Star brite Gel teak cleaner restorer. Both products got great reviews but the Star brite product is a lot cheaper and base on reviews are easier to apply. Has anyone had any experience either cleaner? How about vanish for the floor and oils for the companion way? Any suggestions or recommendations?

Thanks
 
zeehag

zeehag

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Mar 26, 2009
3,198
1976 formosa 41 yankee clipper santa barbara. ca.(not there)
Salty said:
I am in the process of looking for a teak cleaner and varnish / oil to redo my boat interior. I am redoing my floors, and the companion way including the steps, which is not in bad condition but needs a little work. My choices for the cleaner are between the Captain John’s boat brite teak cleaner and Star brite Gel teak cleaner restorer. Both products got great reviews but the Star brite product is a lot cheaper and base on reviews are easier to apply. Has anyone had any experience either cleaner? How about vanish for the floor and oils for the companion way? Any suggestions or recommendations?

Thanks
Click to expand
i have not and will not redo my interior---it has a nice worn look and is clean--i use orange oil on it--cleans and shines it..outside i use sea water only with a 3m green scrub pad. i donot sand it--it doesnt need that nor do i use harsh chemicals on it......goood luck.....have fun --the chemicals will hurt other parts of the boat--i have seen what they do to fiberglass and gelcoat....the oil keeps the caprail nice and beading water for one year---gets dusty but all it needs is a soft brush to dust the dirt off then re oil---cant get easier than that--i donot sand nor varnish...the interior floor/sole must be not slick---with slick ye fall and hurt yourself....i rub orange oil into mine when it needs it--rarely!!!.....
 
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Don S/V ILLusion

Don S/V ILLusion

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Sep 25, 2008
7,336
Alden 50 Sarasota, Florida
This is always a matter of personal choice but for the floor deck plates, you would do well to check out Ultimate Sole as one of the best products for a deck/floor finish - gives a great, long- lasting non-slip surface.
 
S

Steve Dion

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Dec 2, 1999
15,184
Hunter Vision-36 Rio Vista, CA.
If you want something that does a great job on teak and is not TOO messy, consider Oxalic acid. It is very cheap and is easy to work with.

Just disolve it in warm water and apply it to the wood. It will remove all the stains and does not raise the grain very much. I use a soft brush to get the dirt out of the grain. Rinse with some clean water and mop up all of the excess water. Let dry and your wood is clean.

If you use two part cleaners they are very caustic.
 
zeehag

zeehag

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Mar 26, 2009
3,198
1976 formosa 41 yankee clipper santa barbara. ca.(not there)
Steve Dion said:
If you want something that does a great job on teak and is not TOO messy, consider Oxalic acid. It is very cheap and is easy to work with.

Just disolve it in warm water and apply it to the wood. It will remove all the stains and does not raise the grain very much. I use a soft brush to get the dirt out of the grain. Rinse with some clean water and mop up all of the excess water. Let dry and your wood is clean.

If you use two part cleaners they are very caustic.
Click to expand
not raising the grain very much is still too much. the safest and best cleaner of teak wood is sodium chloride mixed with water in the proportions found in sea water lol it does not neeed to be bleached---teak is not a blonde wood. and this chemical does not hurt boats....application of sea water with a 3m pad does not raise the grain, as it does not bleach away 3 years out of the wood ...LOL...
 
Maine Sail

Maine Sail

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Feb 6, 1998
11,701
Canadian Sailcraft 36T Casco Bay, ME
Don S/V ILLusion said:
This is always a matter of personal choice but for the floor deck plates, you would do well to check out Ultimate Sole as one of the best products for a deck/floor finish - gives a great, long- lasting non-slip surface.
Click to expand
Ultimate Sole is out of business... Gym floor finishes share a nearly identical formulation to what Ultimate Sole was but you need to get a real gym floor finish not just one that says it on the can.

The link below will take you to a number of manufacturers and the requirements maple floor finishes must meet.

Might even be able to find a quality finish for less money..

http://www.maplefloor.org/literature/finishlist.htm#gen
_________________

What ever Tim R. used on the interior I will vouch for! It looks amazing and literally like a brand new vessel.
 
jibes138

jibes138

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Jan 27, 2008
3,086
ODay 35 Beaufort, NC
Dear Readers

I am refinishing my interior teak also. I did the v-berth, head and hanging locker last weekend. Then I had a nice cold beer to relax. I think it was a Bud Light in the new ECU can design, go Pirates!
My interior teak has always been done using Formby's Tung Oil. It goes on like water and has resins in it like varnish so it gives a varnish like look with minimal work applying it. I just rub it on with a rag and it looks great. You can get Formby's at Lowes or Home Depot.
As for the floor I used Amada the last time and it has lasted pretty well. Very hard to find now, probably too many VOC's.
Time to go get a Bass Ale, see you.
 
Tim R.

Tim R.

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May 27, 2004
3,626
Caliber 40 Long Range Cruiser Portland, Maine
Older boats look great with a warm oiled teak finish. It has a wonderful patina but my boat is a modern vessel that I felt should have a golden teak varnished finish.

Below are 2 photos. The first one shows what the wood looked like before and after a cleaning(Captain John's and then a bleach, water, tide mixture). The second photo is with finish applied.

Here is a link to the completed project:
http://www.treilley.myphotoalbum.com/view_album.php?set_albumName=album28



 
A

adirondackbob

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Sep 27, 2008
95
Catalina 30 Lake Champlain
Tim,

Wow! I'm impressed! How much do you charge? ;) I'll be redoing the interior on my new (to me) Catalina 30 come spring. When I do, I'll look back at your photos for inspiration!

Bob
 
biggio

biggio

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Aug 12, 2007
87
Catalina 27 Mandeville, La.
Do we really have teak in our interiors? I have a Catalina 27 and supect my interior wood is not teak. I have been just using regular wood oil on my interior.
 
O

overby

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Jun 26, 2004
28
Cal 44 Shilshole Seattle
what finish did you use?

Tim R beautiful job on the refinish. Just wondering what you used for the finish? It looks beautiful!
 
Salty

Salty

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Dec 2, 2008
144
Catalina 390 14 Perth Amboy, NJ
Thanks all for your input. It seems Captain John's is the way to go. Tim, that’s really a beautiful piece of work. What finish did you use? How about the floors, did you use the same finish?

Thanks

Salty
 
Tim R.

Tim R.

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May 27, 2004
3,626
Caliber 40 Long Range Cruiser Portland, Maine
Thanks Guys.

The finish on the sole is Bristol finish although I am not happy with it. I was planning to use Ultimate Sole but they are out of business now.

The rest of the woodwork is finished with Varethane oil based poly(semi gloss).
 
B

Barnacle Bill

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Jun 9, 2008
1,792
- -- -Bayfield
I have a varnished interior and it looks great and has lasted many, many years without need of maintenance. I like Epifanes varnish for teak. If you use a satin finish, then you will find it has a nice look and flows out and is easier to apply than high gloss finishes.
 
B

barboak

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May 25, 2009
1
cal 44 gloucester
Re: what finish did you use?

hi there overby. we have a cal 44 and would like to contact you. John
 
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