restoring teak for handy folks

cdnfthree2

Chief Petty Officer
Joined
Aug 3, 2008
Messages
402
I've read alot of posts in the past, talked to friends, and tried alot of products in attempts to restore teak. I have been less than pleased with all so I thought I'd let anyone who might be interested what I did to get it as bright as possible. First, after spending way too much time and money trying the other ways, I curiously scraped at a piece of teak and found just under that grey surface a brilliant orange. I knew at that point that I'd soon be a happy man. I pulled every single piece of teak off that boat and ran it through a thickness planer and presto, brand new. For the edges and inside the rod holder circles, I used an small round-over bit in the router. I was AMAZED. My 1972 boat now looked brand new. Now, you don't want to do this often as you loose about 1/64th an inch every time, so If you do it, get a boat cover immediately and then use teak oil to maintain and it should last a very very long time. Careful---If you have ever used a planer you know that once the wood has completely cleared the first roller, chatter marks can occur on the last few inches IF you allow it to sag. So use a level infeed-outfeed table or hold it up on entry an exit. For large panels, ask a cabinet maker to pass it through the table sander. It worked for me anyway.
 

cdnfthree2

Chief Petty Officer
Joined
Aug 3, 2008
Messages
402
Re: restoring teak for handy folks

By the way, that is not the boat in the avatar. I have just bought that one and have yet to do this.
 
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