Interior Has Years of Teak Oil and Grime to Be Removed

[tsl]

The teak in my boat has been oiled for years trapping in dirt along the way. I can scrape it off with my finger nails in places. I've done the doors a drawers by cleaning them with solvent out in the fresh air but now that I'm inside the boat I am looking for something a bit more lung and friendly. Any suggestions?

On the Drawers and Doors I followed the solvent with a two component teak cleaner that I understand is truly for decks but it sure lightens it up. I may be going overboard with this a well. Any suggests /comments?

Used Epifanes rubbed effect on the doors a drawers, WOW what a product!

[MarkSF]

Originally Posted by tsl

The teak in my boat has been oiled for years trapping in dirt along the way. I can scrape it off with my finger nails in places. I've done the doors a drawers by cleaning them with solvent out in the fresh air but now that I'm inside the boat I am looking for something a bit more lung and friendly. Any suggestions?

On the Drawers and Doors I followed the solvent with a two component teak cleaner that I understand is truly for decks but it sure lightens it up. I may be going overboard with this a well. Any suggests /comments?

Used Epifanes rubbed effect on the doors a drawers, WOW what a product!

Inside, have you tried hot water with soap - the hotter the better? It should dissolve oil. Also thinking you could try hand cleanser like that orange stuff. It also comes in a spray. Citrus cleaner and degreaser spray.

I just read the label though on the citrus spray and it has warnings about not breathing the fumes. Hmmm.

Last resort - get a filter mask with solvent filters.

[Vasco]

tsp? might do it.

[capngeo]

Turpentine

[MarkSF]

Originally Posted by capngeo

Turpentine

That'll be free from fumes will it?

[brutb]

Man up, it's your boat and you want it clean and pretty. What are a few air sacs in your lungs when you can have a clean and bright interior.

[tager]

Cabinet Scraper.

[Butler]

TSP is a good cleaner but maybe not a good interior solution as ideally the wood should be flooded with fresh water to rinse properly.
I would start with some Murphys Oil Soap... worked fine for me on long neglected rub finished Mahogany ceiling slats and dirty interior woodwork. Escalate from there if needs be. Stay away from any wood cleaners, polishes etc that might have silicone.
Good luck.

[Celestialsailor]

Simple Green?

[Charlie]

Teak Care by Don Casey

[Play Actor]

I've had good luck using a little baking soda disolved in water and applied gently with a white scotchbrite pad. Rinse it by sponging with fresh water. It worked to remove a 30 year accumulation of various oils and waxes, including several applications of tung oil, and it's about as environmentally friendly and cheap as you can get.

[Boracay]

My experience has been that mask filters don't seem to supply clean air. After a while one doesn't notice fairy strong fumes. I ended up using limited solvents and keeping everything well ventilated.

I did a quick search and came up with a suggestion for "Loose-fitting hood supplied-air respirators". Further checking eBay found one for under $350.

If I'd known this at the time I would have brought one, even at the extortionate freight rates to Oz.

It sounds like you want to spend a fair bit of time getting the teak into peak condition. Why not spring for some proper protection? It could be sold when you've finished to one of the cheapskates my research also found.

$350 is a lot cheaper than any of the alternatives...

[zeehag]

sea water. works great on mine.

[smurphny]

I had the same condition. Just washed them repeatedly with cheap generic spray cleaner from Walmart and then vigorously rubbed in tung oil The tung oil dissolved any remaining film and left an almost new, thin, bright finish.

[minaret]

Originally Posted by Boracay

My experience has been that mask filters don't seem to supply clean air. After a while one doesn't notice fairy strong fumes. I ended up using limited solvents and keeping everything well ventilated.

I did a quick search and came up with a suggestion for "Loose-fitting hood supplied-air respirators". Further checking eBay found one for under $350.

If I'd known this at the time I would have brought one, even at the extortionate freight rates to Oz.

It sounds like you want to spend a fair bit of time getting the teak into peak condition. Why not spring for some proper protection? It could be sold when you've finished to one of the cheapskates my research also found.

$350 is a lot cheaper than any of the alternatives...

Ever tried working in a boat while wearing hood-style forced air? The hood inflates due to air pressure to about ten times the size of your head. Not good when you are working in a small space. They are great for working on the bottom though, and they keep you cooler as a bonus. When wearing a properly fitted half-mask respirator with proper cartridges you should not be able to smell what you are working with at all. We are regularly tested at our yard for fit. They put a big hood over your head while you are wearing your gear and spray a very nasty material inside. If you gag you failed the fit test. We do it yearly.