Beautiful teak in the head, but ...

[SvenG]

... but I can't imagine it standing up to real cruising use despite our very careful wipedown care. Once we put in a hand-held shower it will be even more of an issue.

So, what's the best way of covering it ?

- Formica or other plastic sheeting ?
[precision cutting and fitting of large sheets ?]

- Gelcoat !?
[will it adhere and how practical to get smooth ?]

- Paint ?
[?]

- Non-ceramic tiles ?
[?]



-Sven

[rebel heart]

Varnish it? A few nice coats of varnish will keep it protected, especially if it's interior. We have some teak in the galley that gets splashed by sink water several times a day and it's fine. Interior varnish lasts forever.

[DoubleWhisky]

Originally Posted by rebel heart

Varnish it? A few nice coats of varnish will keep it protected, especially if it's interior. We have some teak in the galley that gets splashed by sink water several times a day and it's fine. Interior varnish lasts forever.

My heads are moulded GRP, but the door to all are in teak, with solid teak framing. Heads for guests cabins are rather small, for owners cabin bigger, but with hand held showers all doors and frames get their good share of splashing and spraying. They are well varnished (about fifteen coats) and there is no problem. We are just remembering to leave the doors slightly open after showering to provide for more air circulation. The residue damp is something that damage wood much more than superficial spray of water.
One thing is important - the wood should be varnished all around, including the edges, even if covered and not visible - they are most endangered by damp.

Best regards

Tomasz

[cabo_sailor]

We have a separate shower stall that is mostly formica or some sort of plastic but all the trim is teak as is a seat and grate. After 12 years it all looks good. After showering we use a small hand held squeegee to remove the excess water and keep the head ventilated. There is a dorade, an opening port, a 12v fan in the shower stall, and the door to head is louvered.

Rich

[svHyLyte]

Damn Sven...You have more issues...

Firstly, mount a circular shower track on the overhead in the head so that water/spray will be trapped by a shower curtain. Then, give your teak a good coating of Minwax Polyurathane. Keep a good Chamois or faux Chamois drying cloth in the head and ask the user to wipe down the woodwork if it gets wet. The foregoing with a periodic wipe-down and polish with a little Lemon Oil polish has kept the teak finish in our heads (2) looking new for 25 years.

FWIW...

PS: Do not use a plastic shower curtain. Use a tightly woven light weight dacron curtain of a dark color. We have an overhead hatch in our lavatory and simply pull the curtain through it and up on deck to dry. It will also dry if left hanging deployed in the head...

[Play Actor]

The interior of our head is all solid teak battens -- no plywood -- and it's finished in hand rubbed oil. We've cruised full time for 11 years, showering every day with a handheld shower, and we've had no problems. Once every year or two, we go over the teak with a white scotchbrite pad and water and baking soda, to clean off any residual soap scum, let it dry, and re-oil it with a couple of coats of Minwax Antique Oil finish.

It gets a wipe down with a chamois after each use, and looks as good as new. Our boat is a 32 year-old Baba. Some of the newer Babas had varnished teak in the head, which held up even better than the oil finish, if you like that look.

[capngeo]

Originally Posted by Play Actor

The interior of our head is all solid teak battens -- no plywood -- and it's finished in hand rubbed oil. We've cruised full time for 11 years, showering every day with a handheld shower, and we've had no problems. Once every year or two, we go over the teak with a white scotchbrite pad and water and baking soda, to clean off any residual soap scum, let it dry, and re-oil it with a couple of coats of Minwax Antique Oil finish.

It gets a wipe down with a chamois after each use, and looks as good as new. Our boat is a 32 year-old Baba. Some of the newer Babas had varnished teak in the head, which held up even better than the oil finish, if you like that look.

+1
Both of my recent boats are OLD... my 1973 was a full time live-aboard with teak, and my 1986 CAL has teak trim.... Scrub and oil once a year and all is good!

[captainKJ]

lots of the mega yachts have teak in the head for crew. we just clean and teak oil once a year,,, NO VARNISH leave it plain,,,,

[Pblais]

Our last boat had no enclosed shower. There was a cover for the TP and the head sink faucet extended to a hand shower. The teak held up fine. You wipe it down and treat it a few times a year and it lasts just fine.

Removal of the moisture after the shower is mostly what all heads need no matter what type of material. It can breed nasty stuff and smell bad. Finished wood does not like harsh chemical cleaners.