Teak decks

[Tomtom39]

Hi all

I have a teak deck on my production yacht. The teak deck is nice and thick so mainly very happy. Over the last few years my caulking has become slightly proud, presumably due to the teak wearing slightly.
I am planning on cutting the caulking down level with the deck as this is still stuck very firm and in good condition.
The question is can I sand the deck lightly with the grain? Just want to get the ridges out where the deck has worn slightly. Any recommendations?
Thanks

[Cheechako]

A belt sander can make your deck look like new, both wood and caulking. However you cant get everythwere with one and willhave to do the smaller places with another tool. The proud caulking is very good non skid, I would just leave it rather than open a can of worms.

[SariTimur]

I would use a big vibrating sander before going to a belt sander. It will cut through too much wood too easily if you are not incedibly careful. But a good vibrating snader with about 80 grit will make your deck look like new smooth out the caulking and not lose as much wood as you will with teak cleaners. Afterwords I recomend adding Teak Wonder's deck sealer. It keeps the uv down (what turns the decks gray and wears them) with out messing with the natural properties of teak. In the tropics a coat twice a year keeps the decks looking like new. I have let mine slip for slip for almost a year and a half now so may have to do a light sand myself before heading for the temporate waters.

[Cheechako]

Just a warning; the more you sand , the more you risk that the plugs will get too thin and start falling out. At that point you are in for a major plug removal, redrill, rescrew and resand.