Refinishing Teak Swim Deck

Good Morning Everyone,

I would like to refinish the teak swim deck on my 1986 CC Ski Nautique. The main question I have is in regard to the finish that you use to protect the wood. Is there a better marine grade polyurethane out there that you suggest?

I plan to strip the old finish off, re-stain the wood, and then put several coats of finish on to seal the deck off from the water.

I tried to search for this and I'm sure it has been discussed before but I appreciate your assistance on this.

Thank you,
Nabes

Thank you very much for the reply!

Nabes, as has been quoted on here before, there are some real Teak finishing nazis on here, and they can do incredible work. Search the threads and you'll see all the steps they go through....and next winter I may get more involved in my teak platform, but for this year....

...my platform had not had any attention in the last 3 years or so...

I simply washed and scrubbed off the heavy mildew, then gave the platform a light sanding.

Then used a non-toxic powder teak-cleaner/brighter, which worked great....rinsed that all off after scrubbing it.

Let the platform dry in the sun thoroughly, then put on a coat of teak oil, let it soak in a bit, wiped off the excess, then let it dry in the sun.

Put the platform on the boat, done!

I know I'll need some additional oil on it during the season, but my platform slides right of and I can sit it on the dock for the re-oil mid-season.

Platform looks great.

Um, yeah, I wish I had found the threads on this sooner. I got my SNOB last spring, and refinished the step with Daileys hard drying oil. Sure looks pretty, but wow, it's slicker than snot on a glass doorknob!! I'll be doing something different for the coming season..

PE

If you are a skier, teak oil it and don't sand it much, leaves a natural traction and still looks nice. If you want to serve cocktails on it go ahead and sand it, after you had a drink or so it doesn't hurt as much when one slides off.

My platform has been sitting for years out of water, but is badly weathered. My goal is to save it. I mean badly weathered! I can't deside if I want to take out every screw and do each piece, or just keep it intact and treat as one piece. Any suggestions?

Mine is in rough shape and I did the first step of the starbrite and it looks unreal. I would keep it intact and apply the 3 step process, do the larger size. Good luck!

Few more pictures from last night. I got all the main pieces finished.

Same here.. quick scrub with stiff brush and detergent let dry, then plam sander with 60 grit, three coats of watco.. Awesome.. probably shouldn't have sanded but I couldn't resist, best hour spent!

didn't get the before pic.. but you can imagine.. phone pic doesn't do justice.

Old school platforms with vents still way better design!

Thanks to all for the tips...Teak has great properties for absorbing oil. I still might sand the deck simply because the weathering is sever. Now who here is the oil purist in the group. I was thinking Watco, but what has the best chance of deep absorption?

I have used Watco for many years on many projects. It is a great product that I'm very pleased with.

I don't sand. Those screw tips are just under the surface. Watco goes on easy and keeps looking good and does not leave any oily residue.

jterr wrote: Is there a difference between Watco and Teak Oil?

I purchase the Watco brand of teak oil. Up here in MN. Menards carries it for a reasonable price.

8122pbrainard wrote: jterr wrote: Is there a difference between Watco and Teak Oil? Watco brand and what's the other brand?

I think he means Starvrite Teak Oil vs Watco. I have marginally better results with Starbrite. Watco is more reasonable on the wallet but is rather hard to find in stock here.