TEAK CARE PART 1

Posted by StevenHWicker on April 19th, 2019

Teak is a tropical hardwood with a beautiful golden /honey brown colour when it is new. Over time, as natural teak is exposed to the elements, it gradually changes color from the honey color of new teak to a silver-gray patina which distinguishes finely aged, outdoor teak.

After a while this silver-gray patina deteriorates to a dark-gray and greenish look if it remains untreated. Depending on the environment, natural graying and/or weathering may become noticeable after only a few weeks. In drier climates teak will take several months to weather.

If teak is exposed to infrequent moisture, the color will fade slowly with minor discoloration. In moist climates, where furniture is subjected to regular dew and sunshine, teak furniture will weather more quickly.

I have just bought a new piece of teak furniture, which care products would you recommend?

This depends on the color that you prefer in your teak furniture. If you prefer the silver-gray, we recommend the Teak Shield. If you prefer the golden /honey brown of new teak, use Teak Protector.

If my teak furniture has already turned dark-gray, which care products would you recommend?

If you would like to restore the color to the natural silver use Teak Cleaner to clean and brighten the wood. Afterwards apply the Teak Shield to preserve the silver- gray color. If you prefer the color of new teak, use Teak Cleaner first to restore the color and apply the Teak Protector to preserve the color.

Once treated, can teak be left outside in the rain?

Yes. Soon after application our products will be dry and will protect the furniture from sun, rain and snow.

Does it matter at what time of year I have my teak wood treated?

No. However, we recommend treatment prior to winter storage and at the beginning of the season when it is put to regular use.

CLEANING WEATHERED TEAK:

How do I clean teak?

To clean your teak, simply use Golden Teak Cleaner, which is specifically designed to kill mould and mildew spores inside teak. Simply follow the directions on the bottle and the color will be restored. Since cleaning teak takes some time and effort, we recommend using Golden Teak Protector or Shield before weathering takes effect again. Outdoor heaters nz

What if my teak is rough and weathered?

Although it may look rough and weathered, teak has enough natural teak oil inside to keep it protected from rot. Simply put, rough teak is a cosmetic problem, not a maintenance problem. If you prefer a completely smooth surface we advice hand sanding your teak with very fine sandpaper. Power sanding generates extra heat that can create black marks on your teak. After sanding, use a dry, rough cleaning sponge to remove any remaining sawdust.

How does Golden Teak Cleaner react on oiled or sealed teakwood?

Golden Teak Cleaner removes the oil and/or dirt from the wood, making the wood evenly pale-brown. The teak may be subsequently treated with Golden Teak Protector or Shield depending on your color preference. It is important that Golden Teak Protector is never applied directly to oiled teak, because it will result in a very poor finish.

Does the Golden Teak Cleaner affect pavement and/or grass and plants?

Golden Teak cleaner may affect grass, plants and some types of pavements. We recommend covering the work area with a disposable piece of plastic. Some other brands sell two products for cleaning teakwood; a teak cleaner and a teak brightener.

Does Golden Teak Cleaner do the same job?

Because Golden Teak Cleaner contains both cleaning and brightening ingredients, the two-step process can be reduced to one step, saving time and money.

What if I notice darker (or even black) spots on some parts of the furniture?

Black spots are typically caused by humidity in the wood that is developing into mould or mildew. This can be remedied by cleaning the dark spots with Golden Teak Cleaner. Alternatively, the spots can be sanded by hand and then cleaned. To prevent this from happening again, use Golden Teak Protector after the cleaning step. Outdoor patio

What if (part of) the furniture is turning gray already after several months?

Product testing has shown that treating teak can lead to different results depending on environmental conditions and the age and density of teak. Golden Teak Protector performed substantially better on 60 year-old teak than 25 year- old teak. Fortunately, the warm honey color of teak can be easily maintained by applying regular coats of Golden Teak Protector. The condition of the teak and the environment in which the teak is used will dictate the frequency of the reapplication. It is important to apply the protector before the teak becomes gray since preventing the graying results in less work than restoring the teak with teak cleaner. Golden Teak Protector should be used when the teak furniture starts to turn pale.