Matching new and old teak

[Ray Moser]

When the remains of hurricane Frances went thru Ohio last week I suffered some boat damage. The last board of my teak swim deck was busted (I was lucky in that others had holes knocked in their fiberglass). I was expecting to clean up all the exterior trim next Spring but now I'll be installing some new wood. Any hints for successfully blending the new addition with the old stuff? I have some products that the former owner left with the boat including teak cleaner, teak brightener and teak oil. Thanks, Ray

[Chris Padilla]

Ray,

Matching weather-stained wood is always a challenge but I'd suggest experimenting with some scrap teak. It may be that you just put a new piece of teak out there and in a year or two it'll weather and match the rest of the deck.

[Bob Smalser]

Bleach the new boards with oxalic acid...incorporate them into the structure...and then finish stain the whole piece with whatever pigmented oil you like for teak.