I 've been using up all the Teak cleaner/brightener I had and still had a vast surface area of deck to tackle. It 's been so wet this year, the mold and mildew is terrible. Our local chandlery carries minute bottles of teak cleaner at rather high prices. So I went looking online. I learned on a Forum that in Ireland one can order chemicals of all kinds through the chemist (pharmacy). My pharmacy ordered a 1 kg container of oxalic acid for which I paid 65€. I do believe it will last the remainder of my boating lifetime.

I have found the following recommendations useful:
[ul][li]dampen the deck area with salt water
[li]dissolve 3/4 lb crystals to a gallon of HOT water (or 3 oz to a quart). A quart is supposed to be enough for a 50-60 foot boat depending on how dirty it is.
[li]paint the oxalic acid on with a paintbrush[/li]
[li]wait a few minutes then scrub with a stiff bristled brush
[li]rinse with a dilute vinegar solution to neutralize the oxalic acid
[li]rinse with plenty of salt water or fresh water if you have access
[/ul]

Plain bleach is suppose to be the "brightener" in a two-part cleaner.

The first time I tried to start working on a nice sunny day, the deck kept drying out before I could scrub (the sun is very intense here when it does come out). So working on a cloudy day worked much better. The rain that followed afterwards gave it a nice fresh water rinse.

BTW, they say never to let the oxalic acid dry out on the deck. It crystalizes into razor sharp crystals that remain imbedded in the deck. Rinse, rinse, rinse.

I do like the idea of Boracol, Tony. I 'm going to ask our chemist if she can get that for me, too. There is a useful thread on Boracol on YBW.

Vice Commodore, OCC 

Well, I did eventually succumb and had SEMCO applied professionally in Jolly Harbour at the beginning of April. Serendipity looked BEAUTIFUL on completion!

Now, she is not a wet boat by any means and the weather was kind to us being largely behind the beam, so we didnt take oceans of water over the deck along the way home. However, by the time we arrived in Falmouth after about 10 weeks perambulation up via BVIs, Bahamas etc. and across the Atlantic, there was little or no trace of Semco anywhere outside the cockpit.

I conclude that it might look OK in a marina or on garden furniture, but is pretty U/S at sea.

An[other] expensive lesson....

Hi John,
You will see from my previous comments on this topic that I am an advocate of Boracol. After many years of cleaning my decks with various prorietory brands, including oxalic acid based ones, I now simply clean my teak with soap and water and then paint on one coat of Boracol by brush at the start of each season. It takes about 10 days to work but then the biocide takes effect removing the black bits and the green bits leaving the teak a beautiful silver grey. Importantly there is no scrubbing involved. Mindful of Irish weather, Daria Blackwell was amused when I mentioned that ideally 3 dry days were necessary after applying boracol. You will see that other members have suggested cheap ways of buying boracol. Hope this helps...
Tony

Back to the subject, teal deck treatment!

Does anyone have any advice on non- chemical methods of cleaning teak? Al Shaheen is aluminium painted with Awlgrip and I am very loath to use chemical preparations that might interact with the paintwork. In my case the teak is confined to the cockpit sole, seats and surrounds as well as the cap rail.

John

Thanks for your assertions regarding the Irish West coast weather etc Daria. We have sailed to Ireland before and were probably spoilt by having high pressure over us for almost a month (must have been summer 2001). This year we plan on Scilly to Baltimore and then round the corner and up towards Dingle. We probably won 't have enough time to meet up with you in Clew Bay but you never know! The whole area sounds lovely and I 'll certainly give you a warning should we venture further North.

Hi Tony, no not all the time. But most days it rains a little, that 's why so many rainbows. We have very changeable weather - we are in the Atlantic - which makes it particularly beautiful and moody. The last few summers have been remarkably kind weather wise, with warm temps and little rain esp. in July. Attributed to climate change and favourable NA drift. If you do sail our way, please come and see us in Clew Bay. I promise it will take your breath away. Our boat is on a mooring inside near Westport and you are welcome to raft up with us if we are there. Mayo Sailing Club also has guest moorings. The islands offshore are very special. We are the POs for the west, so if you have any questions, please shoot them over. We are more than happy to introduce people to what we love so much out here.

Vice Commodore, OCC 

Hi Daria - and I was planning on sailing to Ireland this year - you mean it rains all the time?
Tony `Pelagia '

"Patio Magic" is another product available in the UK from B&Q and most garden centers has the same effect and a lot cheaper. I spray my decks twice a year. No detrimental impact on rope or canvas.

I am chuckling about "allow 3 days to dry"... in Ireland we are lucky to get three hours. But it certainly sounds like a dream and I cannot wait to try Boracol on Aleria 's decks. With climate change, we are getting longer spells without rain.

Vice Commodore, OCC 

Anyone out there with practical experience of using SEMCO?

Its being peddled hard at me in the Caribbean