SERVICES
How to care for your teak deck
Although teak is a rigid material, it must be treated carefully. That’s why we’d like to offer some valuable tips to guarantee that your deck gets the proper maintenance.
The dos and don'ts when caring for your teak deck
Teak decks shouldn’t be cleaned with a two-part acid-type teak cleaner; instead, use water. While two-part cleansers wash the teak, they also eat away the light-colored soft grain of the wood, leaving the darker-colored grain and overall surface with a rough washboard effect.
Don’t pressure wash your teak deck. A pressure wash will, unfortunately, also remove the soft grain of the wood. A rough, weathered deck exposes more of the wood to environmental deterioration. If left unattended, it will soil quickly.
Only apply a coating after a thorough cleaning. Some boat owners use a teak brightener after the cleaner and before applying teak oil. Teak brighteners are used to bleach the teak to a lighter shade and remove any residue left in the grain from the cleaning process. However, the bleaching must be immaculate before any coating can be applied to the teak. We recommend Teak Life products.
The correct method to apply Teak Life is to first sand and surface using a 60-grit sandpaper for an even, level surface. Then, use a high-quality brush to apply a generous amount of Teak Life UV. Don’t apply in direct sunlight.
Allow to dry for 24 hours, and then consider adding a second coat of Teak Life UV or Teak Life UV Topcoat in its respective color.
Please remember that maintenance is recommended every 6 to 12 months. Clean the surface with water and sand with 80 grit to remove standing fibers and apply a maintenance coat of Teak Life UV Topcoat.
The teak deckers checklist:
- Never use a conventional scrubbing brush or a power jet cleaner.
- The best tool is a sponge-type mop or a very soft deck brush with feathered bristles.
- Always wash across the grain – never along the grain.
- Use a mild detergent dissolved in water as a cleaning fluid. You should prefer fresh water, but clean seawater can also be used.
- If the teak is badly soiled or stained, use a proprietary teak cleaner following the manufacturer's instructions. And remember to be patient: bleachers take time to work. Rinse off well once you are satisfied.
- Occasional oiling does not harm and will enhance the natural appearance of the timber. It will also help to replace the natural oils lost due to weathering.
- Another approach to achieving a natural look is the application of a well-chosen sealer.
- The most sensible way to ensure that a teak deck maintains its original beauty is by grinding it in two- to three-year intervals. You should always hire professionals to do this work.
- Finally, it is essential to acknowledge that when exposed to weather, teak's natural color will always be greyish. Learning to like it is the kindest thing you can do to your deck.
We are always here to help
Our specialists are always available if you require further advice or have any maintenance queries. Please contact us, and we will be in touch with you shortly.
