Care of Teak Outdoor Furniture

Teak is a tropical hardwood that has a rich, golden honey colour when new. As teak is exposed to the elements it begins to age and the colour changes to a silvery gray patina. This colour change will not affect the strength and durability of your teak outdoor furniture.

The Aging Process

You can decide if you want to maintain the original golden colour or let your teak furniture age and change to a silvery gray as it weathers. This aging process will take approximately twelve to eighteen months. The more the teak is exposed to the weather the faster it will age. During this process streaking may occur in protected areas. To age the furniture evenly you can move the furniture around to allow all areas to receive equal exposure.

Teak Maintenance Products

There are a number of products available to retain the golden honey colour of new teak. Before applying these finishing products it is important to leave the furniture to weather outdoors for six to eight weeks. If it does not rain during this period hose the furniture twice a week to remove dust and natural oil. This weathering period will allow the grain to open and the finishing product to penetrate the timber more effectively. Before applying a finishing product ensure that the furniture is thoroughly clean and dry.

We recommend the Sika Teak Maintenance System (www.sika.com.au).

Teak that has aged can be restored by sanding using a light to medium grade sand paper.

Cleaning Teak Outdoor Furniture

Before cleaning your teak outdoor furniture make sure that it is thoroughly wet. Use warm, soapy water and a soft bristled scrubbing brush. Any stubborn stains can be removed by sanding the area gently with a fine grade sand paper.