Teak Color Variations Video

[John Stone]

Over the last 8-10 years I have tackled a lot of projects with teak. What a great wood that often cannot be fully appreciated till you start working it. I mill all my wood so I see, touch, smell, and construct with it in all its various forms. I am certainly no expert but I have gained a reasonable amount of skill and believe that while I still have much to learn about all things wood related I think have a reasonably informed opinion.

That said, I have been perplexed by some recent issues I had with the post milling color of teak I used to build the dorades. I discussed it with various people and got various opinions. But, Jack King, the mill outlet manager at Atlantic Veneer, where I purchase a lot of hardwood, sent me a very interesting video attached below.

Of course I know wood darkens with age but I was surprised when the last teak I milled had orange splotches after I ran it through the planer. I had never see it happen before. I don’t think this happens with all teak and I don’t know why that is. But, the video is interesting and informative and would have helped me control my heart rate had I seen it before I built the dorades.

Anyway, in the spirit of learning new things, enjoy!

https://www.mcilvain.com/teak-color-str ... -GROUP.COM

[mgphl52]

Kewl video and good info. Many Thanks!
Now I will continue to enjoy my graying teak as I sail rather than sand & varnish & sand & varnish & sand & varnish...

[jen1722terry]

Great video, John.

I didn't know about that process. Being pathologically lazy, the teak projects and repairs I have done over the years usually have me re-sanding to get rid of the gray. I may have noticed that the sun evens out the color on freshly milled teak, but it didn't register.

But does sanding produce the same discoloration and variation? You're probably removing less wood with sanding as opposed to planing. If one sands in the morning, should one leave the bare wood in the sun for a few hours to change? Interesting.

As you've certainly done more recent teak projects than I, can you comment on this? I have teak rub-rail repair and combing refinishing projects coming up and your wisdom would be appreciated.

Thanks in advance, and have a great spring.

Terry

[John Stone]

Hi Terry
I have never seen the color changes with sanding, only significant planing, and even then not all the time. So the color should not change except where you are removing grey. And exterior teak will change color even under varnish. I’ve seen it also occur on the interior as well—just takes longer.

I varnish very little exterior teak—only the winch bases. The bowsprit is Doug fir and the coamings are african mahogany, so they get varnished. If you wash bare teak with a wash cloth and the smallest amount of soap it will clean up nicely and maintain a smooth even almost brown-silver color. If you don’t regularly wash it it will turn a grimy grey. I never use a brush or sand bare teak.

The best way to restore grey teak is to use a two part cleaner like Te-Ka. I rely on Rebecca Wittman’s book Brightwork—The Art of Finishing Wood as my source of info.

[jen1722terry]

Thanks so much, John,

Terry

[Sea Hunt Video]

John S.:

Great video. Very educational. Thanks for sharing.

[mashenden]

That was extremely interesting. Thank you for sharing. I have had exactly that problem in the past and did not know how to solve it. I do now, and its so easy!!