THE CLEANING OF A TEAK DECK
There are many teak deck cleaners, but most have involved the use of strong solutions of chemicals and often the use of a cleaner and then some sort of application of a top finishing coat. These chemical cleaners have often damaged the rough finish of the deck and also damaged any paintwork and the aluminium framework of windows. A much more teak deck friendly method was to use green soap solution, but this necessitated a considerable amount of scrubbing of the deck.
Many of us used Skippers Choice, which was non-toxic, organic and biodegradable.
Many of us used Skippers Choice, which was non-toxic, organic and biodegradable.
Deck showing - on left, uncleaned deck and on the right, deck cleaned with Skippers Choice
Unfortunately, this has now become unobtainable and an alternative cleaner was sought. I found, a couple of years ago a new product on the market called Podium Finish, manufactured by Exocet who are well known for their manufacture of fuel additives. This product, too, is non-toxic and biodegradable.
I decided to ‘give it a go’ and have been very pleased with the results, Details of how to use it and the results :-
Podium Finish is a great improvement on Skippers Choice :-
It is easy to mix, dilution 1:20
It is easily applied by a soft brush from the bucket and stays in solution.
Where there are greasy stains, these can be spot cleaned using the cleaner at a dilution of 1:5 for about 10 minutes before cleaning the deck as normal. It is important, when using a soft brush, to brush across the grain of the teak as brushing with the grain will lift the grain and damage the deck. The deck should be kept wet for about 30 minutes with the diluted cleaner before thoroughly washing off with clean water.
No scrubbing is involved, unlike using green soap.
I decided to ‘give it a go’ and have been very pleased with the results, Details of how to use it and the results :-
Podium Finish is a great improvement on Skippers Choice :-
It is easy to mix, dilution 1:20
It is easily applied by a soft brush from the bucket and stays in solution.
Where there are greasy stains, these can be spot cleaned using the cleaner at a dilution of 1:5 for about 10 minutes before cleaning the deck as normal. It is important, when using a soft brush, to brush across the grain of the teak as brushing with the grain will lift the grain and damage the deck. The deck should be kept wet for about 30 minutes with the diluted cleaner before thoroughly washing off with clean water.
No scrubbing is involved, unlike using green soap.
Teak Deck to be cleaned
Keep the deck wet with the cleaner for 30 minutes
before thoroughly washing the cleaner off |
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Allow to dry - clean deck
Podium Finish will also clean off oily stains on paintwork from engine cooling systems and exhausts without damage to the paintwork. Dilution 1:5
Other uses are :-
Canvas covers, tenders, paintwork and in the bilges. Being non-corrosive and non-toxic, it is safe to handle.
Other uses are :-
Canvas covers, tenders, paintwork and in the bilges. Being non-corrosive and non-toxic, it is safe to handle.
Oily stain on paintwork
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Stain removed using 1:5 solution of cleaner
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On land, there are myriads of uses around the house and garden and for boaters it is a fitting and better replacement for Skipper Choice.
Other Exocet products that have been useful can be viewed on their website :- fastexocet.co.uk/product-category/marine/
Other Exocet products that have been useful can be viewed on their website :- fastexocet.co.uk/product-category/marine/