What Is
Teak Wonder?
Maintaining
teak decks is considered by many as a job for Roman galley slaves.
This has resulted in numerous ‘miracle potions’ that
all promise to restore the appearance of new teak with very little
effort, or preserve the characteristic golden colour over a long
period of time without the need for continuous washing or other
maintenance. However pleasure craft owners’ expectations have
often been dashed, either because the promises were not kept or,
because the products used have caused damage. There are many horror
stories about extremely aggressive preparations damaging the teak,
the stainless and anodised aluminium fittings on deck, seam sealers
and even the gel-coat of the fibreglass. Others have noticed that
certain protective treatments remain sticky for a long time with
the consequence that the absorption of dust and dirt results in
a very dark teak that looks dirty.
Sometimes insult is added to injury, as the only
way to eliminate the guilty product from the deck is to sand it
off. The list is endless but one can understand why many ‘experts’
having been stung for the first time around, recommend that no other
product than water is used.
Teak
Wonder has been marketed since 1973. It has gained a prominent position
both in the United States and Europe where its qualities have not
only been confirmed by the success decreed by users, but also the
tests that have been carried out by independent magazines such as
American Practical Sailor.
Here is an extract:
‘All of the oils (not Teak Wonder) tested survived a month
… What is more half of them started to show signs of decay…
this was more evident for dressing that produced a darker colour…
T-Jett silicon based Teak Wonder was clearly chosen as the best’
- American Sailor/PBO/Sailing Today
Teak Wonder is not an oil; that is, it does not contain
oil. It is a diluted silicon and pigment based sealer. Once the
thinner has evaporated, the silicon keeps the wood sealed against
water and a variety of other solvents including diesel. The silicon
also delays oxidation.
  
Before and After......
Teak Wonder is the clearest of treatments during
application and becomes practically invisible once it has dried.
The wood, once treated with Teak Wonder is slightly lighter than
that just sanded. One month after application there is still no
sign of the product, in fact the wood remains clear, clean, and
free from dust or residues. We recommend that two coats be applied
with sponge or bristle to obtain saturation.
Teak Wonder is the treatment tested by ‘Practical
Sailor’ that ‘struck us most and we highly recommend
it to those that want a longer natural look….'
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