Swim platform refinish in 1.5 hours

[2 tall]

2001 Epic S22 V-Drive - I only had a couple hours today so I decided to see if what I could do to the swim platform not spending more than 2 hours on it. I sanded with 100 grit sandpaper for about 10 minutes on both sides, then applied Watco teak oil from Lowes. It took less than 1.5 hours and all I was after was to make sure the swim platform didn't get any worse. I was super happy with the return for the amount of effort/cost. The oil was something like $8.57 and I cut up a sock as an applicator and used 4 latex gloves ( 50 cents). My goal was under 2 hours and less than 10 bucks....

I know lots of people like to leave their swim platforms grey and weathered, but I like the way it turned out.

[toyotafreak]

Finally pulled the trigger on teak overhaul. Massive amount of sanding (manual block sanding over several nights to get all the boards flat) then stripped, then three coats of $40 fancy sealer West Marine talked me into. Teak oil washes out since the deck is always awash. Stopped oilong years ago It always looked  good wet but crappy dry. Now looks good all the time. It's just a bit slick but so far not bad

[toyotafreak]

Also stripped and painted aluminum brackets black and added four new pins to tighten it up a bit. She was getting pretty sloppy. A little wave action while sitting still and you could hear/feel the teak clanking up and down. No more 💪

[2 tall]

I was wondering about the longevity, but I am willing to re-coat each year now that I know it's easy. I was thinking about painting those brackets black as well....I wasn't going to sand them at all though, it seems like too much work. Geez, your boards must have been super rough. I couldn't believe how smooth mine were when I started...that is probably why it was so easy. I was thinking about some sealer or something so I don't have to keep oiling it, but I think I'll see how long I can let it go, then oil it some more, especially since I don't live on a lake and it doesn't sit in the water all the time.

[toyotafreak]

One thing you might consider is using the stripper every once in a while. Cleans all residual oil and buildup so it starts more or less bone white when dry. Then oil up from there. Every couple years maybe?

Mine had accumulated some waviness between the soft and hard parts of the grain. Never had any complaints, in fact a little texture is good for traction, right? I might have had more waviness from not oiling for so long. Would also have been easier if I hadn't been trying to level board to board. Biggest thing was everyone insisted on sanding with the grain so I couldn't use my jitterbug sander. It's cool. Good for another 15 years on sanding.

[ATXChris]

Last time I did mine I pressure washed and used starbrite teak oil to finish, but next time I may go all out and use the sealer that toyotafreak is using.  That platform looks awesome !

[cdlollar]

I will stick with the teak oil.

I had a buddy of mine who though it was a good idea to use something else...he sanded it down real smooth then put a coat of polyurethane on it...boy it sure was pretty!

However the first time he went to the lake after doing this he came back with broken ribs.
Needless to say he ended up stripping it all right back off and as a good friend I never said I told ya so. 

Now there is a difference between sealer and polyurethane....the sealer will not be AS slick but it will still be slick.

Starbrite has a full kit, cleaner, brightener and oil which I use and can vouche for.
http://www.amazon.com/s/?ie=UTF8&keywords=star+brite+teak+care+kit&tag=googhydr-20&index=aps&hvadid=32549182351&hvpos=1t1&hvexid=&hvnetw=g&hvrand=870155257731091167&hvpone=&hvptwo=&hvqmt=b&hvdev=c&ref=pd_sl_3bcv9fvjng_b


What you do with yours is up to you....I deep clean mine every 2 to 3 years and apply a coat of the teak oil twice during the season, I just brush the oil on thick and let it soak into the wood....btw after the kit oil runs out I just use the teak oil you can buy at Lowes or Home Depot.

[toyotafreak]

Yep, you're right about the slick step problem. So far, first 7 lake days with the sealer have been good. Looks awesome and not too slick. I know that company also describes a sort of non-skid you can apply. I applied three coats per directions and accumulated a number of ripples, smudges etc from removing brush hair. Don't know. If it doesn't get slicker and it lasts all year I'll probably stick with it.

I've used the Starbright kit and concur it works well. Biggest thing is just using the stripper to keep nasty gunk out of the grain and cracks. Oil works well just didn't stay on long enough for me...and did get slick on me a couple times.