In this post, I’ll show you what needs to be repaired on a teak deck, the tools and supplies necessary to repair it, the step-by-step teak deck repair process, and I’ll also offer some tips and tell you about what does and doesn’t work. Read the steps and then watch the video at the end for a full demonstration.

Teak Deck Repair – An Easy-To-Follow 10 Step Process

Step 1: Check the weather

You don’t want to be doing a teak deck repair if it’s raining.

Step 2: Get your tools and supplies ready

The tools and supplies that you want to have on hand before you start your teak deck repair are listed below. I’ve provided a link to either a distributor or Amazon. Make sure to shop around – these links are just here for you to get an idea on the actual products/tools (or similar) to what we use.

A caulk removal device

After looking around on the Internet we found this handy device at a distributor company for TeakDeckingSystems.

Having this tool for teak deck caulk removal is imperative. The tool will allow you to easily remove the black caulk and any wood below creating a nice clean space for the new caulk to be inserted.

You must have this! Teakdecking System Caulk Removal Tool.

A hand-held vacuum cleaner

A Dremmel

Blue tape

Teak Deck Caulking from Teakdecking Systems

There are other caulks and systems out there but this is the one that has worked the best for us. Unlike others, there’s no need to put primer down before caulking. Furthermore, this caulk seems to harden and set quickly. When using Sikaflex we’ve had mixed results. Sometimes it worked fine and other times it didn’t set leaving us with a mess. Like everything, you have to give various products a go and see what works best for you and your boat. More here: Teak Deck Caulking.

Leatherman or sharp knife

A skewer with a sharp end

Look in your kitchen drawer for one of these. And if you don’t have one, you can take apart a wire hanger and use that as a poking device.

Caulking gun

Puddy Knife

Sander

Paper towels, plastic bag, and box cutting knives

These are all normal household items that you can find easily 🙂

Step 3: Start digging your caulking out

Keep a vacuum nearby as there’s loads of caulk and wood dust that will be coming out of the groove. You don’t want this to go into the water – our oceans have enough crap in them! Furthermore, the dust and clippings will enter any window or hatch that’s open on the boat.

Step 4: Put the blue tape around the groove so that the teak is protected from the caulk

Take your time with this. Make sure you cover any teak. If you do, however, get caulk on the deck it can later be sanded off.

Step 5: Prepare the caulk

Cut the tube exit with a sharp knife at a 45-degree angle. Then puncture the inner tube before putting it into a gun. Once the caulk is in the gun pressurize the contents.

Step 6: Caulk the groove

At a 45 degree angle slowly squeeze the caulk into the groove ensuring that all the space is filled. Slowly move back ensuring that you’re not stepping in other areas of caulking. Once the caulk is in place, use a putty knife to slowly flatten the caulk into the groove.

During this step, it’s important to have a strategy if you’re going to do multiple lines. It’s so easy to accidentally step on the caulk and create a mess so be careful.

Step 7: Wait 40 minutes for the caulk to set

If you wait too much longer the caulk gets too hard and the tape becomes difficult to get off. If don’t wait long enough the caulk is stringy and blippy – it comes up with the tape and makes a mess.

Step 8: Remove the tape

This step needs to be done carefully. Don’t just pull the tape up and crumple it. You want to slowly roll it into a ball to restrict the amount of caulk that gets on your hands.

Step 9: Let the teak deck caulk dry overnight

As a side tip, if you have other people on the boat it’s worth taking some blue tape or a line to close off the area of the boat that has new caulk. By doing so you’ll reduce the likelihood that someone walks over it.

Step 10: Sand it down

When sanding it down if you notice that the caulk is higher than the teak, take a box cutting knife, bend it slightly and then skim the caulk down.

If you like checklists, make sure to get our Checklists For Sailors guide. You can buy it in our store here or on Amazon.

Click on the guide to get more information and buy!

"After months of drafting my own inadequate checklists, a friend recommended Kimberly Browns book Checklists for Sailors. I never realized that there were so many aspects to sailing that this very comprehensive and complete book covers in ensuring that risks are minimized through thorough pre planning. In addition, the offer of the Microsoft Word soft copy has allowed me to modify, consolidate and tailor these checklists to my own personal needs. As a serious sailor in Australia and the Pacific, I would highly recommend this book." Trevor James Bavaria 45 Cruiser

Teak Deck Repair Video 

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Other Articles Of Interest

• Teak Deck Maintenance Using Boracol 
• Teak Wonder (A product to help make your teak look great)