How to Care for a Teak Deck
Teak is a type of wood that is used for decks, furniture and boat decks, trim and ladders. Teak is a durable wood that is oily in nature and is resistant to mold, rot and decay. This oil in the wood also works to repel water, making it the perfect material for the outdoors. The most important part of keeping teak looking good and repelling water is maintaining and restoring the inner oil. Does this Spark an idea?
Things You'll Need
- Mild soap
- Ammonia
- Laundry detergent
- Water
- Scrubber sponge
- Screwdriver
- Masking tape
- Caulk
- Sponge brush
- Tung oil
Instructions
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1
Wash the surface of the deck with a mild soap to keep it clean. Stay away from harsh cleaners that will strip the wood of its oil.
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2
Use a mixture of 1 cup of ammonia, 1 cup of laundry detergent (without bleach), and 1 gallon of warm water to strip away any old sealants before adding a layer of new sealant. Apply this mixture to the deck, and using a scrubber sponge, scrub across the grain.
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3
Apply a teak sealer to your deck using a sponge brush, and wipe away excess sealant with a cloth. Continue to apply the sealant until a matte finish appears.
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4
For teak boat decks, remove old caulking by using a bent (to 90 degrees) screwdriver that has been filed down to a point. Wash out the seams with acetone after the old caulking has been removed. Mask the seams with masking tape, and caulk the seams with a two-part caulk and remove the tape as soon as you have placed the caulk.
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5
Apply teak oil that contains tung oil to your teak deck. Make sure that the tung oil is present, or it might not be effective in restoring the oil of the teak. Apply the oil with a sponge brush and allow each coat to sit for about three to four hours. You should apply three coats for the oil to be effective.
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