Let's say I have got a "gift" of some SEMCO teak stuff

[BruceW]

I have got weathered teak. I used Semco on my old Suncat and liked it.

Let's say I have some Semco now. What do I do to the teak prior to using the Semco?

Seems like there's some teak stuff that brightens it up for treatment.

I'm gonna use it, so don't post about alternatives to it that you like; I respect you have your opinions, but that's not what this topic is for. This topic is, how to prep the weathered teak for the new look.

Thanks!

[Vectordirector]

Hi,

Give this a read.  http://www.semcoteakproducts.com/teak_care.htm

There are numerous teak cleaners available, never used one so I can't give any recommendation.

Good luck.  I've never tried semco but have heard good things about it. 

Vectordirector

[BruceW]

Thanks, that was a good read! I see they recommend their cleaner; it is two part.  I may see how expensive it is. Also, with seasonal updating, this "free" Semco I got may just be a loss leader to more investment!!!!

[Tom L.]

I have used the cleaners but they are brutal on the wood. They are acidic and grove the wood surface. The instructions say to remove the wood part from the fiberglass to apply the cleaners. If you do that it is just as easy to simply sand the teak. You will be surprised how fast the grey will be removed and you can then apply Seamco. If the teak has been cleaned with the cleaners in the past the sanding process will be a little more difficult because the wood will have surface groves to be sanded down. Still not all that tough.

Seamco is a good product in my opinion. After sanding three or four coats on the piece before remounting to the boat is very simple. The best part about Seamco is tough up is very easy and simple. For annual maintenance usually I give the piece a very light sanding and apply another coat. Masking will help.  If I miss a year no big deal but that annual coat keeps the wood looking good. If you cover the boat two or three years between coats is possible.

Tom L.

[BruceW]

Tom, would you use a sanding block and fine paper? I really don't see myself taking the wood off to do this, though.

[alsantini]

When I bought my 2007 Eclipse the teak had never been treated.  I had decided to use Semco since I like the look and my experiences with varnish were not all that good.  I wandered the aisles of West Marine looking for a cleaner.  I finally settled in on West Marines bio degradable teak cleaner.  My teak was filled with little black spots that I figured were mold.  I used the cleaner, following directions and was amazed that once it dried 75% of the black was gone and it looked good.  Another cleaning with a scrub brush followed up with a long gentle water rinse and once dry it looked great.  2 coats of Semco and I am a happy sailor.  That was three years ago and twice a year coating have kept all well.  BTW the boat is always in the sun:  In a slip (Illinois) during the summer and on a trailer in Florida all winter.   The bio-degradable stuff is, I think gentler on the teak since it is not loaded with acids.  I have done the 2 part cleaners and although they worked did 2 things that I did not like.  They really raised up the grain and they killed the grass on the side of my driveway.  I did not sand my Eclipse's teak, just the cleaner twice and 2 coats of Semco.
Al

[alsantini]

The full name of the stuff is West Marine Pure Ocean One Step Cleaner and Brightener.  Around $16.00/bottle and I used 2 bottles.  Al

[BruceW]

Cool info, Al; I think that's a better option than the harsh cleaner. I'm still thinking about the expense of this "free" Semco. I do think it will look nice, though.

[alsantini]

Yes Bruce.  I really like the tone of the wood.  This pic is recent after about 3 months ago re-coat.

[BruceW]

Great results, Al. I used to keep my Suncat like that. Of course, it started out fresh. Anyway, this grey (gray?) stuff of mine  is getting cleaned and Semco'd, I think.

[Craig]

I use Semco on Kailani. Would not use any other finish. Goes on easily and cleans off the fiberglass with rubbing alcohol(even if dry). I use a cleaner called Spray Nine to clean the teak. Spray on, use scrub brush, rinse off. Spray Nine is a general purpose cleaner that is great for household use as well. Available at Ace Hardware. I have used it for many years for just about every heavy duty cleaning job.

[BruceW]

Craig, did you happen to have gray teak when you used the Spray 9? I might try it, although I did find some Starbright here that might do the trick.

[ChuckO]

Ahoy ...

I've done well using Dawn Dishwashing liquid and a fairly stiff brush to clean teak.  Gentle, but still gets the job done.  Give it a try before buying teak cleaner/brightener.  I also prefer Teak/Tung Oil to varnishes .......... but to each his own.  Anything applied to it shortens its life as it has its own natural oils. 

The old-timers prefer to scrub teak with salt water

ChuckO'
CP16-2 Carpe Diem
Charleston, SC

[Craig]

My teak had a mix of gray and Semco brown in less exposed areas. I used the Spray Nine to even it out and remove dirt/mildew so the re-coat would be a consistent color. I originally used Semco "natural" then went to the "Brown teak". The brown does last longer but I prefer the look of "natural". It is also easier to blend in when recoating as the difference in color between high exposure ares and more shaded is less. My last recoat was at least 6 months ago.

[BruceW]

I've got some decent cleaners to try before I do the Nu Teak cleaner I found laying around here.

Anyway, I used to alternate various Semco colors to get the blend I wanted. They have some new ones. I think the bucket I have is Natural, so it's where I plan to start.

Didn't get to it this weekend, but I did put a new Bimini on the boat. Friends helped or I'd still be futzing with it, har har. Anyway, was able to mount it onto the genoa car track! It does not look like it will fit when you start, but we raised the sail at the dock, and put the sail stop in at its highest point. Then we got the base mounted, and opened it, securing the straps to the bases of the nearby stanchions. Opened, it has several inches of clearance! It has a LOT of headroom.

I went out sailing right away, and enjoyed it. From the rearmost place to sit, I can look up behind the bimini and see the wind indicator at top of mast. I have a tell tale I can see on the jib also.

Then, I got in a hurry to leave and forgot to take pictures. It is perfect though.