Deck Repair For Teak Or Fiberglass

Deck repair is perceived as difficult, however with a little practice - not so. Decks are sexier than hulls. The hull serves it's purpose out of sight. Decks on the other hand are on full view. Either in teak or fiberglass,

The hull is very strong and thick. Weight below the waterline is great for stability. A heavy topside on the other hand is dangerous. Decks are just up to the tasks they are designed for, nothing more. Deck repair covers fiberglass repairs, but also teak decking too.

Deck repairs are made from a variety of materials being teak or fiberglass, which in itself causes trouble. Hulls are produced with one material and are generally protected by water. Decks are exposed to weather, people, strains, stains and tensions. Not missing the environmental considerations too.

Teak

Teak decking need care. They get covered in grime, rained on, sun damaged and if you live were temperatures vary enough then expansion and contraction occurs. So they need cleaning, re sanding and re caulking as part of your schedule of maintenance.

The active ingredient in teak cleaner is Oxalic acid. It lifts dirt off the wood and brings back the original color. Oxalic acid is the Rolls Royce of teak cleaners. You can get the same effect from your General Motor - aka Ajax!

Having wet the teak deck you need to scrub with your cleaner going with the grain. Scrub thoroughly until the darkness is removed and then rinse off. The dark can also be carbonization. This is the when your 'finish' changes color with the sun.

While the deck is still wet. This is a great time to check the black caulking that runs between the teak planks. Watch as the surfaces close to the caulk dries. Are there any areas which remain damp? If the caulking areas do not dry evenly, then action ought to be taken. What has happened is that the sealing quality of the caulk has deteriorated, allowing water underneath - not good!

So taking a razor, cut out the damp section including several inches on either side and gently remove. Make sure all the caulk is gone before continuing. Prime the plank surfaces and follow drying instructions.

Before re caulking mask the planks on either side to prevent mess and frustration later - more deck repair! Mix the caulk up in the proportions indicated on the instructions and put the mixture in caulking tube.

Cut the tip of the tube's nozzle diagonally for best results. Then apply the mixture starting from the bottom, evenly along the groove. Using the back of the razor rather than the edge, run it over the freshly applied caulk and level off.

Teak decking becomes uneven over time. By gently re sanding those areas that are raised you remove the issue. Once sanded the planks need to be varnished in keeping with the proofing requirements of the deck.

Looking For Something Specific? Type Your Search Below

Custom Search

Check Out The Action From Beijing!

Sailing From Beijing

Teak refinishing protects the wood and stops water getting in. Eventually you will have to think about re planking your decking as the planking thins.

Fiberglass

fiberglass repairs or decking is more complex than for hulls. Hulls are continuous surfaces. Decks have components drilled in to them.

Water gets in under cleats, stanchions. Seals are undermined each time someone swings themselves on to the boat from the pontoon, the list goes on. Vigilance whilst on board will lower your deck repair Once the surface gelcoat is broken then moisture and damp sets in, making the problem greater.

Spotting those imperfections in the fiberglass is simple. Look at where surfaces join on a regular basis. It's imperative to identify areas were treatment is required - quickly! Cracks appear were flexing occurs, in tight bends or corners.

An example is the cockpit. Because the gelcoat and laminate coats are put through stress over time these spots develop. Sheets of laminate need to applied to those cracked areas to stiffen the weakened laminate. Get some fiberglass strands to work ASAP!

Impact cracks occur if anchors or sharp, heavy items are dropped on deck. The size of the damage is dependent on the impact and time before fixing. Stanchions are used to aid boat access, this leverage lifts the stanchion bedding from it's mounting. Steel or brass backing plates, secured with bolts offer a dependable fix.

Repair the cracks as follows: If applicable remove the hardware to get at the problem. Remember that normally only the outer gelcoat layer is damaged. If this is the case then use gelcoat paste to fill the gaps. Then sand down the area and bring out the finish. Should the laminates be damaged beneath the gelcoat then more extensive action needs to be taken.

Angles and corners can be weak from the manufacture process. Deck repair will solve these inconsistencies. The nature of the laminates, does not facilitate them following the specifications of the mold. In other words the laminate does not always do what the mold dictates. The result is a weak point called a void.

When these appear, particularly around corners, it is simple to fix. Remove weakened covering, clean area with Acetone and then use Styrene as a primer. Fill the void using laminate resin and once cured - layer the gel coat on. Sand and buff to blend with the rest of the deck.

Go from deck repair to Fiberglass Boat Repair

Go to boatpride home