Proper Teak Care

How to Restore & Maintain Teak
by Star brite

Characteristics of teak

    In order to understand how to care for your teak furniture or decking, it is important to know something about the wood itself. Teak is a very dense hardwood that has an extremely high oil and wax content. These traits make teak quite durable for both indoor and outdoor use. The wood is naturally resistant to rot or degradation caused by fungal decay plus, the oil that is in the wood cells prevents attack by termites and other wood eating insects. 

    Proof of teak's extraordinary long term weather and wear resistance is the fact hat it has been used for years in marine construction. Despite exposure to sun, salt, rain and heavy foot traffic, teak on boats lasts for decades. Although teak is a very durable wood, it does undergo changes as time passes and the wood is subjected to use and environmental exposure.

How teak changes over time

    When teak is freshly cut it has a slightly tacky or sticky feel due to the oil and wax content. The color is a warm, golden brown with wide, darker brown grain. As the wood ages the oil and wax that is present at the surface leaches out, resulting in a dry to the touch surface with a lightening of the overall color. If the teak is subjected to outdoor exposure, even more of the natural oil and wax will come out of the cells, leaving cellulose cell walls present at the surface. The cellulose then combines with oxygen in the air resulting in  silvery gray colorations.

    Whether you have indoor teak that is dry and light tan in color or outdoor teak that has turned gray, older teak furniture and decking does not exhibit the beauty of new wood. With selected Star brite teak care products and a little time, it's easy to bring back that "like new" look.

Restoring outdoor teak furniture and decking

    The first step in restoring exterior teak is the application of Star brite Teak Cleaner. Applying this product with a bristle brush or scrubber pad, rubbed in the direction of the wood grain, will result in clean but darkish brown wood. 

    Immediately rinse the cleaned wood with fresh water. If any mildew is still visible, rub the blackened area with Star brite's Magic Scrub to remove the remaining discoloration. (Do not use steel wool to remove mildew as this will leave slivers of steel in the wood which will rust and leave a reddish-brown stain.) While the wood is still wet from cleaning, apply Star brite Teak Brightener with a sponge, wiping in the direction of the wood grain. This step should lighten the wood color while accentuating the natural grain. Rinse the brightened wood thoroughly with fresh water and then allow the wood to dry completely. 

    Next apply an application of Star brite Teak Oil to bring back the original golden brown color while protecting the wood from future weathering. Teak Oil is best applied using a foam brush or rag, applied in the direction of the wood grain. If the oil is absorbed quickly and completely, another coat (or the application of several coats) is required. You have applied the right amount of Teak Oil when the application results in a slight puddling of excess oil on the wood's surface. When this occurs, wipe the surface with a lint free cloth to remove the excess oil and let set for several hours. A periodic re-application of Star brite Teak Oil is recommended to maintain the wood's appearance and provide continued protection.

Exterior teak notes and precautions

    Working on exterior teak is best done outdoors where run-off from Teak Cleaner and Teak Brightener and drips from Teak Oil will not do any damage. You may want to put a plastic tarp or large sheet of plastic under the piece being treated to avoid damaging or staining the outdoor surface where the work is being done. If there are any fabrics that are part of the teak piece being treated, like a teak chair with a fabric cushion, remove the fabrics before starting the restoration process. Furniture that has cut outs may be cleaned and brightened using a cone shaped brush to get into these hard-to-reach areas.

Restoring indoor teak furniture and accessories

    Interior teak usually just becomes dry and lighter in color over time. If any stains are present, first wash the wood with Star brite Teak Cleaner that has been diluted with an equal amount of water to remove the discolorations. Rinse the cleaned surface thoroughly with fresh water and let the wood dry completely. Next, a simple application of Star brite Teak Oil will bring back the rich golden brown color while accentuating the natural grain structure. Star brite Teak Oil contains a UV inhibitor  that will help prevent future fading or lightening of the wood's color. Additionally, the natural teak oil base of this product protects the wood by repelling most stain causing agents.

Interior teak notes and precautions

    Most indoor teak is not solid wood but rather a layer of teak bonded to particle board or another type of wood. This surface layer, called a veneer, is extremely thin and can easily be worn away if you try to sand the surface or do any scrubbing with an abrasive pad. For this reason when you apply diluted Star brite Teak Cleaner to the wood, use a sponge or a very soft brush. Application of Star brite Teak Oil should be done with a foam type brush or rag.

    As with the restoration of outdoor teak furniture, working on indoor teak items is best done outdoors. Run off from Teak Cleaner and Teak Brightener and drips from Teak Oil may damage or stain surfaces where the work is being done. It is therefore advisable to put down a plastic tarp or similar plastic sheeting to protect those surfaces. If fabric is part of the furniture you are treating, remove that fabric before any work is begun.

General tips on teak care and restoration

    Never clean teak using a pressure washer. The wood between the grain (called summer wood) is softer and less dense than grain wood (called winter wood). The use of a pressure washer will remove the soft summer wood resulting in a raised grain or wash board surface. If this occurs the wood will need to be sanded (not an easy task - see note below) to regain a smooth finish.

    If you need to sand your teak, change the paper or pad often. Because teak has a high oil, wax and silica content, the sanding medium will quickly load up with removed wood. Once this occurs the abrasiveness of the sand paper will be reduced and you will be doing a lot of work with little results. After sanding is completed, you need to apply Teak Cleaner to remove residue and open the wood pores at the surface before a final Teak Oil application can be made.