Good quality teak furniture can last a lifetime. Teak is naturally resistant to the elements and can withstand years of neglect. However, a little maintenence can keep your furniture looking great. And…the better your furniture looks, the more you’ll enjoy using it.
New teak has a light golden brown color that’s beautiful. Over time, exposure to sunlight and moisture will weather the wood to a soft grey. You can choose to leave it grey and simply wash it once or twice a year. Or, if you prefer, you can easily restore the golden brown tone by applying a teak sealer or teak oil. Either way, the sealer is purely cosmetic and applying it won’t extend the life of your teak.
If you maintain your teak on an annual basis, it won’t take long to go through the basic steps. If your teak has been neglected for a long time, it might take a bit more work the first time through.
Step 1 – clean your teak
If your teak furniture is in good shape overall (it’s light brown to grey with some stains), simply wash it with a little dish soap and water. Use a sponge with scotch-brite pad to scrub your furniture. The green scotch-brite pad is mildly abrasive and will lightly “sand” the finish as you wash. Rinse thoroughly and let dry.
If your teak has been neglected for quite a while (it’s dark grey with black mildew streaks or is quite stained), you can use a teak cleaner to restore the light brown color. Some teak cleaners (such as Semco teak cleaner) are “two part” cleaners. These come with two bottles of solution: one is a mild acid cleaner and the other is a neutralizer. Simply follow the directions on the bottle. Generally, you’ll wet the wood with water, apply cleaner to a small area with a scotch-brite pad, rinse, apply the neutralizer to the same area and scub lightly with a scotch-brite pad. After completing the entire piece of furniture, rinse with clean water. It’s not necessary, nor recommended, to use a teak cleaner on an annual basis since it’s slightly drying to the wood and will contribute to the wood becoming rougher over time.
Step 2 – seal your teak (optional)
If you like the golden brown finish of new teak, you may choose to seal your teak.
Always wash your teak furniture and let dry thoroughly before sealing it. Once dry, you’re ready to apply sealer. But which type to choose?
We like Semco teak sealer because it’s easy to apply and clean up and has a light, natural finish. Essentially fool-proof. It has a mildewcide and a UV protectant. Brush on with a sponge brush, rag or spray on with a household spray bottle (my favorite super-fast method). Dry to the touch within an hour.
Barlow Tyrie teak color guard is another good option. It has a bit more color than Semco but is equally easy to apply and clean up. Brush on or wipe with a rag. I haven’t tried to apply Barlow Tyrie color guard with a spray bottle but I think it would be worth a try. Generally dry to the touch within an hour.
Teak oil is a third option (and my least favorite). It’s a bit more work, since you have to clean up with mineral spirits and you need to properly dispose of any rags so they don’t combust. It also takes some time to dry (up to 12 hours). If you’ve oiled your furniture in the past and want to switch to a non-oil sealer (such as Semco or Barlow Tyrie), you’ll need to use a teak cleaner to strip off all of the oil.
Teak oil can be made up of several different types of oils and you probably won’t know for certain which ones are in the product you buy. Linseed oil will turn your teak a darker brown. Rosewood oil or tung oil will remain a more golden brown. If you’re concerned about the color, test in an inconspicuous location before applying all over. Brands I like include Penofin and Watco.
Which ever sealer you decide to use, use a drop cloth under your furniture to avoid staining your patio.
Summary: my favorite quick-and-easy method to keep teak looking new
1) Wash your teak with dish soap and water and a scotch-brite pad.
2) Let dry in the sun.
3) Using a spray bottle, mist with Semco teak sealer.
4) Allow to dry for at least an hour.
5) Enjoy!!
Finally, if you aren’t using your furniture for an extended period of time, outdoor furniture covers will help keep it clean and protect the finish from the weathering process.
{ 0 comments }
