Teak - Find of the Century

[Inquisitor]

Of course I'm going to preamble. You'd miss it... if I didn't.

I know next to nothing about teak. I know I like it... the warm glow, the calming grain. I don't know what a reasonable price is. I know even less about teak on a boat... decking, etc. I was looking for a small teak grate for my Head/Shower project. Something about this area, but I needed something long and narrow.


I stumbled across an eBay listing and did a reflex purchase... saying I'll make my own with the exact size I need. Perfect!


Well it showed up damaged, broken in pieces.

But (sailor expletives removed) the main thing... it was only one bloody stick. for $23! That comes to $0.65 / SQ-IN
How in the world does anyone cover a boat's deck in this gold? It turns out, down in the listing it does say 48 inches. So it was TOTALLY my fault. Needless to say, I complained and the ad has been taken down.

Now, returning to the real "Find of the Century"
You might know, I'm doing a couple of projects on my boat.

Well for some walls and cabinetry, I need to use some kind of plywood. I'm kind of tired of the grain on pine, oak and even maple and the price was going to be a concern. I took a sheet of this stuff. In the Lowe's, it looks like pink/white candy stripes. Its hideous! The stripes are so consistent, it looks like a man-made product, but you can't beat the price.


It took some trial and error finding the right stain and polyurethane...


My first attempts using a paint brushes for the poly was not very satisfying. Kevin help me through trying out a car paint sprayer for the first. Thanks Kevin!

Just LOOK AT THIS PHOTO!

On one side is a 60 year old, oil rubbed, teak dining room table on the other is the DIY Teak Find of the Century!

Take a guess?

[C Buchs]

My guess is the left photo is the dining room table. I see a little more variation in the grain. Looks great!

Jeff

[Inquisitor]

I was shocked when I laid it down on the table. We (looking at it from 4 inches) in the photo is one thing. From standing height I doubt I could tell. Used as paneling two feet apart in the same room, I doubt anyone could tell. For interior work to replace the faux Rosewood colored vinyl panels, I'm thinking will give a rich addition to the boat's interior.

[kmclemore]

I urge caution when working with teak. The sawdust and sanding dust is toxic. Please wear a mask and rinse exposed skin with soap and water when done.

[Inquisitor]

I urge caution when working with teak. The sawdust and sanding dust is toxic. Please wear a mask and rinse exposed skin with soap and water when done.

Hmmm. Glad you mentioned that. Fortunately, the only teak I have is the broken stick and won't be using that. This plywood says is some kind of Poplar, but the panels come from China and its certainly not like the Poplar in my neck of the woods.

[Russ]

My limited experience with teak is it is like gold. VERY expensive. However, it is a very pretty wood.

[Macboy]

Nice find! I’ve grown very fond of a wood called Sapele. It’s not dollar store cheap but it’s a heck of a lot cheaper than teak. Easy to work, not toxic, finishes lovely with a simple coat of oil and possesses all of the same durability characteristics of teak.