Info sought regarding water stain

[mainemandean]

Hi. I am trying to help a relative of mine, who owns an Island Gypsy 39 she may be putting on the market. The boat is in exceptional condition except for one minor cosmetic issue. The interior of the door from the salon to the aft deck has a wooden (teak?) panel which has sustained water-related staining/discoloration. Only the door has this problem, which seems odd, since the door is more or less isolated from the rest of the house by being hung on hinges.

Does anyone know where that water might have come from? My only guess is that since the boat was at a dock, and therefore not always facing into the wind, that in heavy blowing rain from aft, water got to the door's window, which maybe was not sealed properly, and the water got in there. ??

Also: how would you repair this? Obviously, if my theory is correct, we would need to re-caulk the window. But as for the wood, I figure one would have to replace that whole teak panel; or (since sanding and use of teak-sealer would probably still show some water staining) paint that wooden panel to match the general color of the rest of the teak trim, or paint that panel the same color as the fiberglass gelcoat of the door and cabin. Any suggestions?

Has anyone else seen this type of leak in that location? Curiously, the water stains are in the bottom half of the panel (not the top, which is where I'd more expect to see something related to the door's window).

Any theories and suggestions are welcome!

 

[Phil23]

Wash down with a solution of Oxalic acid, leave for about 30 minutes and thoroughly was down with fresh water and allow to dry.
I have had a similar problem on internal teak coamings and this worked really well

 

[Capt.Bill11]

I've seen it before. Your theory is most likely correct.
After you find the leak and seal it you best choice might be to paint or add a laminate insert to cover the damage. Most of those panels are veneer so sanding them down and refinishing them is not often an option. But you could replace it completely and refinish the new wood veneer panel if you wish.

 

[BruceK]

Only the inside surface? Could the door have been left open? It is hinged, not sliding? Is the boat a Europa, so top half of door gets protected by the overhang.
I had a problem on the sliding helm door, outside. Water was getting onto the top of the door, right on the top edge, and working its way down, doing harm.
Hopefully the restoration ideas above will work.

 

[mainemandean]

Phil, that is music to my ears. Thanks so much. Can you give me some idea on the percentage of the oxalic solution? I have never worked with that.

Bill, many thanks for your input.

Bruce, yes, it is only on the inside surface. It is a Eurosedan; the door is under a large overhang. The door is swinging, on hinges. It's a real mystery. The only theory I can come up with is the one I advanced above. Also, I think this may be possible: the boat was at a dock, and my brother-in-law probably hosed her down frequently after using the boat; so if the door's window-caulking was ineffective, that's maybe how some of the water got in. If he was like me, when we had our sailboat at a dock, washing down was what I did last, after I had locked up and was otherwise ready to leave the boat. So he would not have seen anything until he next visited the boat.

I am investigating this for my sister. She thinks that her late husband found and cured the source of the leak, but she cannot remember what his conclusion was. I was mainly just wondering how we can get that one panel looking right before we hang the For Sale on her, since otherwise the boat is in super shape.

 

[hollywood8118]

Wash down with a solution of Oxalic acid, leave for about 30 minutes and thoroughly was down with fresh water and allow to dry.
I have had a similar problem on internal teak coamings and this worked really well

But I will add a couple additional steps..

Mix the Oxcalic Acid ( powder) with hot water, stir for a long time and make sure it completely dissolves. I use a small utility spray bottle on stains to "feather" it into the surrounding surface. The same thing will work to remove stains of tannic acid stains from numerous woods.

HOLLYWOOD

 

[mainemandean]

Thanks, Hollywood!

 

[Phil23]

Yep and that's how I do it too, about a cup Oxalic acid powder to maybe 2 quarts of warm water, a little stronger if staining is black. Can take maybe a couple of applications drying out between each. I have used this several times on solid teak coamings but a little unsure about veneer however I see no problem as you are actually only penetrating less than a ply thickness. I have used it on both Teak and Kauri Marine Ply for the same purpose and has not let me down. International Paints do a soluble/pre mix fluid which I have tried
but I have found it hopeless