Teak Guard Update?
Moderator: Jim Walsh
Teak Guard Update?
Reading the Bristol Teak posts below inspired me to ask everyone who used Teak Guard this year: How is it holding up?
We used it, after stripping off Cetol, and it still looks pretty nice but we've had to touch it up a couple of times.
Two problems I've noticed...the wood round the screw plugs has turned black in about 1/2 the plugs. Has this happened to anyone else?
Also, it seems to wear off in the spots where you lean on it with suntan lotion - although we won't be using too much more of that this year. Has anyone else noticed that?
Especially the hand rails on top of the cabin have really worn. Touch up looks fine, but you can still tell where it was worn. I am considering stripping down some parts and refinishing with Teak Guard next year...
Any other problems - or do you think the finishes you have used in the past are better? This is our first year with the boat - and have never had a boat with teak before so Teak Guard is our only experience.
Just comparing notes to see how your Teak Guard is holding up...
Wishing it was April...
Diana
s/v aja
CD25 #530
Mattapoisett, MA
chicktnt@aol.com
We used it, after stripping off Cetol, and it still looks pretty nice but we've had to touch it up a couple of times.
Two problems I've noticed...the wood round the screw plugs has turned black in about 1/2 the plugs. Has this happened to anyone else?
Also, it seems to wear off in the spots where you lean on it with suntan lotion - although we won't be using too much more of that this year. Has anyone else noticed that?
Especially the hand rails on top of the cabin have really worn. Touch up looks fine, but you can still tell where it was worn. I am considering stripping down some parts and refinishing with Teak Guard next year...
Any other problems - or do you think the finishes you have used in the past are better? This is our first year with the boat - and have never had a boat with teak before so Teak Guard is our only experience.
Just comparing notes to see how your Teak Guard is holding up...
Wishing it was April...
Diana
s/v aja
CD25 #530
Mattapoisett, MA
chicktnt@aol.com
Re: Teak Guard Update?
Diana:
I used Teak Guard based on the recommendations I read here last Spring. I'm not pleased with the results. Since I keep the hand rails covered when not in use, they have held up OK. However, the toe rail is chipping, pealing, and the teak has gone gray in spots. In addition, I found the product does stain the gelcoat although they claim it does not. In addition, I'm not fond of the orange color it develops after being the sun. I called the company here in Maryland to discuss the issue. They're response was "We use it on our boat and have had no problems. Perhaps you did not prepare the surface properly." I followed their instructions to the letter. I've removed some badly peeling pieces, stripped them and applied West Marine's wood gloss product. I'm going to try Bristol Finish this winter.
All the best,
Mark Cline
CD Power 28 FB
"Brandywine"
Annapolis, MD
ms.cline@juno.com
I used Teak Guard based on the recommendations I read here last Spring. I'm not pleased with the results. Since I keep the hand rails covered when not in use, they have held up OK. However, the toe rail is chipping, pealing, and the teak has gone gray in spots. In addition, I found the product does stain the gelcoat although they claim it does not. In addition, I'm not fond of the orange color it develops after being the sun. I called the company here in Maryland to discuss the issue. They're response was "We use it on our boat and have had no problems. Perhaps you did not prepare the surface properly." I followed their instructions to the letter. I've removed some badly peeling pieces, stripped them and applied West Marine's wood gloss product. I'm going to try Bristol Finish this winter.
All the best,
Mark Cline
CD Power 28 FB
"Brandywine"
Annapolis, MD
ms.cline@juno.com
Re: Teak Guard Update?
Diana,
This past April I removed the varnish from Happy daze, sanded and cleaned the teak, and applied 4 coats of TeakGuard. About a month or so ago I noticed that the top edges were showing signs of wearing off and it had chiped in some places.. did you notice that it gets a spotty wet look when water sits on it? I agree on the "it does stain the gel coat" comment.. I had to clean the hull of runs after it rained the 1st week and then it was fine! Overall though, for the amount of time spent in applying/drying it was well worth it to me for almost a full season of "reasonable" protection. True it's not as elegant as varnish but I have had many compliments on the "honey" color so that's enough for me.. when I'm sailing I don't cringe when someone or something knocks against the teak like I would If I spent weeks on the varnish... That's just my humble opinion.
Fair winds and calm seas with your CD25..
Capt JT
s/v Happy Daze
CD25 #288
New Haven, CT
Laton@ynhh.com
This past April I removed the varnish from Happy daze, sanded and cleaned the teak, and applied 4 coats of TeakGuard. About a month or so ago I noticed that the top edges were showing signs of wearing off and it had chiped in some places.. did you notice that it gets a spotty wet look when water sits on it? I agree on the "it does stain the gel coat" comment.. I had to clean the hull of runs after it rained the 1st week and then it was fine! Overall though, for the amount of time spent in applying/drying it was well worth it to me for almost a full season of "reasonable" protection. True it's not as elegant as varnish but I have had many compliments on the "honey" color so that's enough for me.. when I'm sailing I don't cringe when someone or something knocks against the teak like I would If I spent weeks on the varnish... That's just my humble opinion.
Fair winds and calm seas with your CD25..
Capt JT
s/v Happy Daze
CD25 #288
New Haven, CT
Laton@ynhh.com
Re: Teak Guard Update?
Diana,
We were remarking just this weekend how well the Teakguard has held up this year. But we didn't use the boat much and we've got a good two years of coats on -- probably six altogether. As for the peeling Mark mentions, I can't see how it could possibly peel as it doesn't sit on top of the wood but, rather, soaks in. Lacquer thinner easily removed any that got on the gelcoat so the staining Mark mentions also has been no problem for us. The black around your plugs must be from not having cleaned the teak as thoroughly as you had hoped (we have no black --anywhere). I'd clean those areas locally, bronzewool the whole boat and give it all a coat this Fall and again in the Spring. One touch up during the season to those areas that wear should keep it looking good.
Don Sargeant
~~COQUINA~~
CD25D #189
Greenwich Cove
We were remarking just this weekend how well the Teakguard has held up this year. But we didn't use the boat much and we've got a good two years of coats on -- probably six altogether. As for the peeling Mark mentions, I can't see how it could possibly peel as it doesn't sit on top of the wood but, rather, soaks in. Lacquer thinner easily removed any that got on the gelcoat so the staining Mark mentions also has been no problem for us. The black around your plugs must be from not having cleaned the teak as thoroughly as you had hoped (we have no black --anywhere). I'd clean those areas locally, bronzewool the whole boat and give it all a coat this Fall and again in the Spring. One touch up during the season to those areas that wear should keep it looking good.
Don Sargeant
~~COQUINA~~
CD25D #189
Greenwich Cove
Re: Teak Guard Update?
I used to be a dealer for TeakGuard years ago and I can state that the black is the result of water seeping into the seam between the bungs and the surrounding teak. The bungs are apparently not a tight fit and should be removed and teh area cleaned appropriately. replace the bungs with proper fitting ones dipped in a small amount of varnish before inserting. the varnish will seal the seam and also act as an adhesive but still allow easy removal of the bung if necessary.
Don Sargeant wrote: Diana,
We were remarking just this weekend how well the Teakguard has held up this year. But we didn't use the boat much and we've got a good two years of coats on -- probably six altogether. As for the peeling Mark mentions, I can't see how it could possibly peel as it doesn't sit on top of the wood but, rather, soaks in. Lacquer thinner easily removed any that got on the gelcoat so the staining Mark mentions also has been no problem for us. The black around your plugs must be from not having cleaned the teak as thoroughly as you had hoped (we have no black --anywhere). I'd clean those areas locally, bronzewool the whole boat and give it all a coat this Fall and again in the Spring. One touch up during the season to those areas that wear should keep it looking good.
Don Sargeant
~~COQUINA~~
CD25D #189
Greenwich Cove
Re: Teak Guard Update?
Mark,
I've read quite a number of posts on this and other boards describing unfavorable results with Bristol Finish. I have not used the product but reading about the experience of others makes me apprehensive. My take is that preparation and application is critical but does not necessarily guarantee success. If you haven't already might check out the archives. Just an observation.
Mike
Oh! The black stuff on teak is a fungus or similar organism that propagates in a moist environment.
I've read quite a number of posts on this and other boards describing unfavorable results with Bristol Finish. I have not used the product but reading about the experience of others makes me apprehensive. My take is that preparation and application is critical but does not necessarily guarantee success. If you haven't already might check out the archives. Just an observation.
Mike
Oh! The black stuff on teak is a fungus or similar organism that propagates in a moist environment.
Re: Teak Guard Update?
Diana:
We are converting our CD25D from varnish to TeakGuard. We did the toe rails and cabin trim this year. Will do the handrails and cockpit caming next year. We are very happy with the product and have had nice comments from our neighbors on its look. We modified the application process in that we applied the teak guard with stainless steel wool and rubbed like h--- at the same time. Rubbed again when washing with fresh water. Almost guarantees the 'fuzz' the manufacturers talk about. We took the brass rubrails off and sanded them, then lacquered them and they have continued to look great.
Mimi Litsche
s/v QUEST
CD25D #54
Chaumont Bay
mlitsche@hotmail.com
We are converting our CD25D from varnish to TeakGuard. We did the toe rails and cabin trim this year. Will do the handrails and cockpit caming next year. We are very happy with the product and have had nice comments from our neighbors on its look. We modified the application process in that we applied the teak guard with stainless steel wool and rubbed like h--- at the same time. Rubbed again when washing with fresh water. Almost guarantees the 'fuzz' the manufacturers talk about. We took the brass rubrails off and sanded them, then lacquered them and they have continued to look great.
Mimi Litsche
s/v QUEST
CD25D #54
Chaumont Bay
John R. wrote: I used to be a dealer for TeakGuard years ago and I can state that the black is the result of water seeping into the seam between the bungs and the surrounding teak. The bungs are apparently not a tight fit and should be removed and teh area cleaned appropriately. replace the bungs with proper fitting ones dipped in a small amount of varnish before inserting. the varnish will seal the seam and also act as an adhesive but still allow easy removal of the bung if necessary.
Don Sargeant wrote: Diana,
We were remarking just this weekend how well the Teakguard has held up this year. But we didn't use the boat much and we've got a good two years of coats on -- probably six altogether. As for the peeling Mark mentions, I can't see how it could possibly peel as it doesn't sit on top of the wood but, rather, soaks in. Lacquer thinner easily removed any that got on the gelcoat so the staining Mark mentions also has been no problem for us. The black around your plugs must be from not having cleaned the teak as thoroughly as you had hoped (we have no black --anywhere). I'd clean those areas locally, bronzewool the whole boat and give it all a coat this Fall and again in the Spring. One touch up during the season to those areas that wear should keep it looking good.
Don Sargeant
~~COQUINA~~
CD25D #189
Greenwich Cove
mlitsche@hotmail.com