TEAK!

[HarryOrt]

There are those that own the boats and there are those that work on the boats. I'm the latter. One thing I've learned is the old definition for boat is true.
Break Out Another Thousand.

So my problem. I was tasked with refinishing teak rails that had been neglected for many years. Exposed in many places (No varnish) with quite a few black spots. This is also my first time doing this. I heat stripped and then sanded until it all was quite beautiful. Wiped several times with Epiphanes thinner per instructions. Waited until afternoon on each coat so as to insure wood was dry. Weather was also quite dry and for a long time. Used Epiphanes varnish and thinner. Followed instructions to the letter. 50/50, 75/25, 85/15, etc. Five coats later and the rains came. Im in Eastern North Carolina on the Trent river. After many weeks I now have black patches under the varnish. Very frustrating.

Where did I go wrong?

How would you have done it?

What should I do to rescue this mess?

Thank you for listening.
Harry

[jamhass]

Sorry to hear your problem.

My guess (and that is all it is, although I do quite a bit of woodworking with teak) is that you had/have some mold embedded in the teak before you refinished it, especially in a pretty humid environment.

The solution beforehand would have been to use a teak cleaner that included a mold killer, or use a mold/mildew cleaner. At this point it is either live with it for a year or two (at which point it will need a touchup anyway) or just redo it now.

[Emmalina]

Should always treat black spots on teak with oxalic acid to kill the mould !

[HarryOrt]

Originally Posted by jamhass

Sorry to hear your problem.

My guess (and that is all it is, although I do quite a bit of woodworking with teak) is that you had/have some mold embedded in the teak before you refinished it, especially in a pretty humid environment.

The solution beforehand would have been to use a teak cleaner that included a mold killer, or use a mold/mildew cleaner. At this point it is either live with it for a year or two (at which point it will need a touchup anyway) or just redo it now.

Thank you for the reply. Do you think that if I sand then clean/ treat the black sections that will be the end of it?

[HarryOrt]

Originally Posted by Emmalina

Should always treat black spots on teak with oxalic acid to kill the mould !

Thank you for the reply. After reading the warnings I am a bit concerned. Spent many years in direct contact with numerous hazardous substances and as such try to avoid them even with the correct safety equipment. But I will consider it.

[jamhass]

Originally Posted by HarryOrt

Thank you for the reply. Do you think that if I sand then clean/ treat the black sections that will be the end of it?

Yes, and as previous post noted, oxalic acid is your friend here. Only slightly hazardous, used in many household cleaners, such as Barkeepers Friend - an excellent SS cleaner.

[Regatta]

Yes same problem but solved! Made one brand new designed with autocad
https://youtu.be/zuIP3dTuxJg