How do you clean/refinish your teak ski platform

[chefred112]

how do you apply the Watco...brush it on? or with a rag?

[chefred112]

I'm surprised it dried quicker than I thought so I sanded it down...pickin up Watco today...

what it looked like before I sanded it..

sanded...

Edited January 24, 2013 by chefred112

[Woodski]

I use a stiff brush to apply the Watco, and yes it is a finish, not a true oil so if a purist I would go a different route. What it does for me, leaves a more durable, longer lasting good looking finish on the platform that only needs a light tune up once or twice during the year depending on sun exposure, water submersion, etc..

The surface of the platform does end up with a slightly harder coating rather than the pure woodgrain finish feel but it is not a varnish or does it deteriorate over time like a varnished platform does (ie: you don't have to sand it to refinish during the season). Depending on how aggresive you are at extra coats, there is a short break in period of where the platform can be slightly tacky to the touch but that goes away after a few water submersions and air exposure. All in all, an excellent product to use for the people that want a tough, durable finish. My platform looks great all year using it, no other product has given me that result. Good luck.

[WakingMeHappy]

how do you apply the Watco...brush it on? or with a rag?

Use a rag and then throw it away.

[msuwaterski]

thanks all for the great tips guys!!!! I'm not too close to marine shops, do you think Walmart has any of this stuff?

Amazon has everything you need, all from the comfort of your couch

I highly recommend the Starbrite tropical teak oil. This is what my platform looked like when I was done following MartinArchers instructions.

http://www.themalibucrew.com/forums/index.php?/topic/36481-swim-deck/?view=findpost&p=521218

[Michigan boarder]

I just use a paper towel and apply it liberally. I also do the Watco Teak Finish...holds up longer.

[Michigan boarder]

And, I see you have a wedge too. My teak was really beat up and had a shoddy repair done to it so I picked up a used deck from an '06 V-Ride and got the bonus of 1) a wedge door and 2) no open slats for water to splash up thru . It fit like a glove, absolutely perfect, no trimming or modifications needed. FWIW.

[JB-FOOT]

And, I see you have a wedge too. My teak was really beat up and had a shoddy repair done to it so I picked up a used deck from an '06 V-Ride and got the bonus of 1) a wedge door and 2) no open slats for water to splash up thru . It fit like a glove, absolutely perfect, no trimming or modifications needed. FWIW.

Thanks to your suggestion to me last year Michigan Boarder, I put black plexiglass under my open slots to stop the water splash.. and I and left the ones closest to the stern so we still had something to put our fingers in and ski fins into when getting in and out of the boat...

[robertstone9]

dont know if this pic will show but from last season watco stuff

[chefred112]

after first Watco treatment..will probably apply for the next few days to get it in good:

[chefred112]

previous owner did admit to me that he made a mistake to try to 'varnish' the last row which really deepens the color when applying oil...

Edited January 25, 2013 by chefred112

[Tnwakeboarder86]

I just picked up my first boat. Its an 04 wakesetter.  I need to do redo the swim deck I believe.  I was thinking of the oil, but the rhino idea sounds pretty good.  Anyone have pics of their swim deck rhino? Also, would that hurt resale?

[semi]

It really depends on how "great" you want it to look. For me, i deck washed it, let it dry and then used the StarBright Teak oil. About 3 coats. Looks really good when its done. HOwever, some sand, prime etc.. . and go crazy with the finishing. To me, i just want it to look good because after a day of being on the water, and boards, there isn't a great way to always keep it good. So i settle a little bit. 

[isellacuras]

I think Berliner over teak should be against the law. Take the couple hours a year to sand and seal and put a coat or two on throughout the year to keep it looking nice. It's not much work and looks great on the right boat, in my opinion. Just be careful, a freshly oiled platform can be slick. 

[nlouthan]

i used to use teak oil from the local Cobalt dealer.  It was clear instead of golden or yellow.  It cost a little more, but wasn't slick and lasted a long time. No idea if it's still available.   

[Deke]

I know this is an old topic but I just wanted to share what I've been using for years on my boats. It is Daly's SeaFin Teak Oil. Works fantastic and is very forgiving and easy to use. You can build up a sheen if you want but it never acts as a film. And, if you do build up a sheen, it is not slippery unless people are getting body lotion or sunscreen all over. I can attest to the fact that lotion/sunscreen on an unfinished platform is slippery too.

Here's the information sheet with my highlights.