When it comes to restoring teak, boat owners have plenty of options. But not all products are created equal. We recently put two popular two-step teak cleaners head-to-head: Te-Ka Formula A & B and DiTEC Marine Products’ Teak Magic Part One & Two. Here’s what we found:
The Test
To keep things fair, we prepped a teak section and divided it in half: one side treated with Te-Ka, the other with DiTEC’s Teak Magic. Both were applied according to manufacturer instructions, using scrub pads and careful timing.
-Te-Ka Formula A & B: Applied directly from the bottle with no dilution. Formula A required careful handling, as it can burn skin and damage paint if not neutralized within minutes. After scrubbing and rinsing, Formula B was applied to neutralize and brighten the teak.
-DiTEC Teak Magic: Diluted 1:4 with water, giving four times the coverage from the same volume. Applied with a scrub pad, agitated, left for two minutes, rinsed, and then brightened with Part Two.
Results
After drying, both products produced a clean, golden finish with the teak looking refreshed and even in tone. However, there were some big differences in how we got there:
-Te-Ka: Worked well but required a lot of product—about a third of a quart for a small test area. It was also harsh to handle, with bubbling on the surface during application and skin irritation risks.
-Teak Magic: Delivered nearly identical results while using far less product, thanks to its concentrated formula. It was safer to handle, easier to dilute, and less aggressive on surfaces.
Final Thoughts
Both products restored the teak effectively, but DiTEC's Teak Magic came out ahead in terms of safety, efficiency, and overall value. With less product required and easier application, it’s the clear choice for boaters who want professional results without the risks and heavy usage of harsher cleaners.
