After a week on the water, the teak swim platform looked terrible. I knew it was due to be resealed but due to an incredible physically year for me, I figure it could make it through this summer. I was wrong, the sun shone areas of where the oil has worn off the platform.

After spending this past weekend washing her down to get all the lake scum off the hull and cleaning the inside, decided to tackle the platform. But I was out of teak oil that I bought a long time ago when I brought the boat.  Surprise how long it has lasted.

So, I started thinking I could make my own formula of teak oil. I figure I would have most if not all the ingredients on hand since I do wood working and small restoration projects. Did some researching on the internet and came across many versions of what others have done. Basically, it’s to your preference of what proportion you want to use. I don’t want to get into the proportions for there are many variations people has used to make their version.  

So, this week I’ll be making my own version, testing and then applying to the swim platform. Of course, I’ll be measuring the proportions out so I can tweak it as I go. 

Yes, you could use a combination of Linseed and or Tung oil. Pure Tung oil is preferred but it’s expensive. You also will be needing some type of petroleum distillate to thin it out and to help dry out quicker. Adding varnish is also use for added protection.

Good question for I thought about that too until I start checking prices for a piece of teak. But both species, Teak and Walnut or any other hardwood trees, we would still have the same results. So, I could have done this on white oak, cherry or ash for I do have that on hand but I went with Walnut. I was going after showing the grain pattern to show the oil finish when dry and I could have use white oak for it has good grain patterns also. All I could say is the piece of Walnut was on my work bench when I made that decision.  Wouldn’t make any different of what to use for you will still have the same final finish results. All oil base finish only penetrates just the surface unless you do the end grain and even then, that’s minimal.