Teak adds a classic, high-end look to your boat, but if you’re not careful, that luxury wood can quickly become a costly problem. Teak is durable, but it needs the right kind of care. Here are six of the biggest (and most expensive) mistakes we see boat owners make—and how to avoid them.
1. Power Washing the Wood
It might seem like a fast way to clean up your decks, but pressure washers do more harm than good. High-pressure water strips out the soft grain, leaves grooves, and ruins teak’s natural texture.
2. Using Harsh Household Cleaners
Bleach, ammonia, and multi-surface sprays can discolor and dry out your teak by stripping its natural oils. That’s a shortcut to cracked, gray, lifeless wood. Always use marine-safe, teak-specific products.
3. Sanding Too Frequently (or the Wrong Way)
Sanding can restore weathered teak, but over-sanding wears it down fast. Using the wrong grit or technique can make things worse by opening the grain and making it more vulnerable to stains.
4. Skipping Protection
Teak left unsealed is exposed to UV rays, saltwater, mildew, and whatever gets dropped on deck. Without a protectant like Triton Teak Shield, your wood absorbs it all, aging faster and looking worse for wear.
5. Ignoring Stains and Spills
From sunscreen to spilled wine, teak soaks it up if you don’t act fast. Letting grime sit leads to deep-set stains that are harder (and pricier) to remove later.
6. Using Teak Oil Instead of a True Protectant
Teak oil might make your wood look rich at first, but it doesn’t actually protect it. In fact, it can promote mold and mildew growth, especially in humid or marine environments. Oils also need constant reapplication and can lead to dark, uneven finishes. A high-tech barrier like Triton Teak Shield offers long-lasting protection without the mess, buildup, or maintenance cycle of traditional oils.
Here’s the good news:
Avoiding these mistakes is easy when you use high-quality teak care products like Teak Magic, Teak Clean, and Triton Teak Shield. They’re safe, effective, and made to keep your teak looking sharp for the long haul.
Ready to treat your teak right? Explore our teak care system here →
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