Fungus in Teak???

[elevalther]

Hi Folks

Fungus in teak ????

I´m new here on the wbf, so maybe this question have been raised before, in that case any can show the way to these link.

I have a lovely old boat I now have tried for yearsssss to restore, and the problems are likewise

When I got time, I got no money
When I got money, I got no time
When I got time, and money, my wife have something which are much more important to do(at least from her point of view).
And is than not the case, than it is raining.

I don´t know if there other's here on the wbf, can recognized this feeling.

My problem is that water have come into my boat here this summer, it was long ,lovely and warm summer, and water is actually best outside the boat.
The boat was covered with some kind of plastic, which has been functioned like a greenhouse, there very best conditions for fungus etc.

Now all my teak ply are affected, with some black spots, black lines.

I have tried to remove them with white spirit and vinegar, but no reaction at all.

Other people have tried to convince me to sand it away, but now we are talking about teak ply, the veneer layer a not that thick, and sanding is not exactly one of favourite occupations, lots of small corners, to small for my big fingers .

I have in my the back of head, that there should be a natural wonder trick.

Now it is my first time on the wbf, I would have like to attached some Photos, but I´m not quit sure how to do, I am not really a computer nerd, I still sitting here an tapping on the keyboard with my stone axe.
I have my pictures in jpg format(208KB) and Idon´t know how to compress them down to an allowed size( 97,7kb)( pls don´t laugh, so loud that I can hear it at least),



Br

Valther

[bob easton]

To attach pictures,
1) you have to upload them someplace, such as photobucket or flickr.
2) for the picture you want to display, you have to get its URL, such as: http://flickr/someaccount/picture.jpg . Each of the posting tools has its own way of doing this for you.
3) when posting hit that little yellow button, up there above the text box, the picture of a mountain
4) plug in the URL
5) stand back in amazement

[elevalther]

Hi Bob
Thank you for your answer, now I´ll try to down load that soft ware Flickr


Br

Valther

[Jay Greer]

Sorry to hear of your fungus problems. You should nip it in the bud before it invades the core of the plywood and turns into rot! Chlorine Bleach will kill the fungus and turn the wood grey. Start with dilute houshold bleach and go stronger, if needed. Hot oxolic acid would be a final solution to bleach the wood to a stain free appearance. However, it will, most likely, remove the color of the wood as well.
Jay

[Bob Cleek]

What Jay said. Oxalic acid can be applied repeatedly in weaker concentrations until you get the stain out. You don't have to burn the teak up with it. DO wear gloves when using oxalic acid. It doesn't seem at all corrosive, but God help you if you spend a day soaking your hands in it (as I did once... just once.) Nothing bad happens... until later that night. The acid under your fingernails will leave you in pain that is pretty indescribable for maybe a couple of days. Think "bamboo shoots jambed under your fingernails." Don't buy "teak cleaner" or "teak bleach" in the chandlery. All the brand products are way too strong and will eat up your wood. They are also way overpriced. You can buy the stuff in any paint store. It's called "wood bleach" and comes in crystals you mix in water. Apply it with a sponge. Don't scrub the wood too hard. Let the stuff work on its own.

[elevalther]

Thanks folks

It have been some days since I way here at forum last time.

I know what is bleach, but the oxalic acid I have not a clue, it might go under an other name that I know about.

I'll look it in the wikipedia

Br

Valther

[sdowney717]

a good premade solution can be bought at HDepot. Comes in a tan gallon jug, called deck cleaner or brightener. Just read the label it will say oxalic acid.
This has worked great for me, it is thicker than just buying crystals and boiling them in water.
I have never seen any wood burn or be ruined using oxalic acid in any concentraition. I also always rinse off the wood and lightly scrub it with copious amount of water after it has set and you can verify all the stains are gone.