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Teak Questions
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What is Teak?
Why does new teak furniture sometimes have
‘wild’ dark or orange stripes?
Why do occasional cracks appear on my furniture?
Can teak furniture be kept outside all year around?
How and when should I clean my
teak?
Will my furniture come assembled?
TEAK CARE:
Teak is the most weather resistant wood in the world.
Historically, shipbuilders have used teak because of its high oil
content which resists rotting and insects. No other wood is comparable.
Now, you have the luxury of choosing how you would like your teak to
age. You can choose to preserve the golden color of new teak or allow it
to age gracefully and naturally, as only teak can. Either way, you will
enjoy it today and cherish it for a lifetime.
Weathered
If you prefer
a weathered, silvery-dove-gray look, then do nothing. Over time, weather
will cause some surface erosion leading to very slight surface
roughness, possible mildew and checking. Teak does not mildew but the
dirt on the teak does. Prevent mildew by cleaning the teak. Checking is
a natural process that occurs when teak develops small cracks in the end
grain of the furniture. A check is small and caused by teak continuing
to age, weather and dry. Checking does not affect the integrity of teak
and will virtually disappear over time. The appeal of a weathered look
is just that…a weathered look!
Preserved by sealing
If you prefer to retain the natural, golden color of new teak, then seal
your teak with a good teak sealer with UV protection. This will
help to resist the normal effects of weathering, mildew growth and
soiling. Checking will still occur but to a lesser extent.
Restore
At any time, you may always restore your weathered teak furniture back
to the golden color of new teak by using a teak cleaner and brightener.
STEP 1 SEALING:
If you want to preserve the natural, golden color of new teak, then
seal your teak furniture with a protector/sealer, and if desired a top
coat.
Why?
A good Teak Sealer contains a UV inhibitor and mildewcide which help to
preserve teak in its natural color for an extended period. It resists
weathering, mildew growth and soiling. The Top Coat provides a
protective, satin finish to the surface and is recommended for tabletops
to minimize food and beverage stains.
As an analogy, the Teak Sealer is like “suntan lotion”
which helps to prevent UV damage, and the Top Coat is like “car
wax” which helps to repel liquid. In both cases, the products need
to be reapplied on a regular basis to ensure maximum protection.
When?
Within the first month of purchasing your new furniture.
How?
This is only a general overview. Please follow instructions as detailed
on the Teak Sealer instruction label.
- Wash the new teak
with a solution of water and a strong detergent such as Tide or Wisk.
Rinse well with clean water.
This opens the grain of the wood and eliminates the waxy feel of
new teak caused by fine, oily dust during manufacturing.
- Ensure the wood is
completely dry before applying the Sealer.
- Apply a first coat
of Teak Sealer using the soft cloth supplied with each bottle.
- Apply a second coat
of Teak Sealer once the first coat is complete (maximum 2 coats). The
first coat does not have to be dry.
- Always apply both
coats the same day.
- When the Sealer has
dried, if desired, apply one thin coat of Top Coat with a soft cloth.
STEP 2 DAY TO DAY CARE:
Clean the teak with a solution of mild detergent and
water to remove dirt and grime:
- Use a clean rag or sponge to gently
clean the wood
- Rinse well with clean water
- Never use a brass brush, pressure
washer or steel wool as they will damage and discolor the teak surface
- If there is severe staining and you
are not satisfied with the results, then you may want to move directly
to Step 3: Annual Maintenance & Resealing
Please note that for “emergency” spot cleaning of
severe stains:
- Use a nylon scouring pad (lowest
abrasiveness for household use) instead of a rag or sponge for the
above procedure; or lightly sand the affected area using a fine
sandpaper (250 grit sanding with the grain). Please remember that the use of any abrasive
pad or paper will affect the finish, requiring you to reseal the
affected area.
Changed your mind? Even if you’ve left your teak to
weather into silver-gray, you can always bring back its rich, natural
color with a Teak Cleaner. When teak is exposed to the sun and weather,
the natural oils migrate to the surface of the wood. Teak Cleaner helps
to restore the natural beauty.
STEP 3 ANNUAL MAINTENANCE & RESEALING:
The following recommendations are based on the
assumption that your teak furniture has already been treated with a Teak
Sealer and Top Coat. These suggestions are intended to help you preserve
your teak in its original condition.
Why?
Previously sealed teak should be resealed to compensate for use and
environmental wear and tear.
When?
You will be the best judge as to when your furniture needs to be
resealed. Typically every 8 months is sufficient for residential use and
a minimum of twice a year for commercial use.
How?
This is only a general overview. Please follow the instructions as
detailed on the Teak Sealer instruction label.
- Clean the teak with
a solution of mild detergent and water to remove dirt and grime:
Wet down the wood with a hose
Use a nylon scouring pad (lowest abrasiveness for household use) or
soft bristle brush
Never use a brass brush, pressure washer or steel wool as they will
damage and discolor the teak surface
- For severe staining,
lightly sand the affected area:
▪ Sand by hand or
with a power sander, sanding with the grain
▪ Use a fine sandpaper (250 grit)
▪ If you choose to sand a table top, we recommend that you sand the
entire table top to ensure conformity
▪ Clean the teak with a solution of mild detergent and water as per
Step 1.
- Ensure the wood is
completely dry, before applying the Sealer.
- Apply a single fresh
coat of Teak Sealer using a cloth. If the teak was previously sealed
with Top Coat, then it is no problem to apply a new coat of Sealer
directly over the Top Coat.
- About 10 minutes
after applying the coat of Teak Sealer, wipe excess Sealer from the
wood with a clean rag.
- When Teak Sealer has
dried, apply one thin coat of Top Coat with a cloth over the Sealer.
Wait approximately 10 minutes and wipe off excess Top Coat with a rag.
STEP 4 RESTORING:
Why?
When teak is exposed to the sun and weather, the natural oils migrate to
the surface of the wood. The sun then oxidizes this oil and turns the
surface to a silver-dove-gray color. Teak Cleaner helps to restore the
natural beauty of the wood as it removes the effects of mildew,
weathering, and food and water stains.
It will look similar to the day you first purchased your teak furniture.
You then have the option to maintain that look with a teak sealer or you can
let it naturally weather again to the silvery-dove-gray.
When?
Note that using a Teak Cleaner on a regular basis will contribute to a
roughen surface over time.
How?
This is only a general overview. Please follow the instructions as
detailed on the instruction label.
- Wet down the teak
with a hose.
- Apply the Teak
Cleaner to a small area at a time and overlap each area working from
top to bottom so as not to let the cleaner dry on the wood.
- Use the nylon
scouring pad supplied with each bottle to gently clean the wood.
- Never use a brass
brush, pressure washer or steel wool as they will damage and discolor
the teak surface.
- Rinse thoroughly
with water.
- Repeat the process
for stubborn stains. The wood will lighten as it dries. To preserve
the natural, golden color of the restored teak, follow the steps
outlined in this program beginning with Step 1: Sealing.
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