If you have recently bought or are planning to buy teak garden furniture, you may be wondering which product is bestMaintain teak garden furnitureis suitable for maintaining the wonderful look of the furniture. You may be wondering whether teak oil or teak sealer would be the best solution. To get the right answer, you should first know what is so special about teak. You should also inquire about what the difference is between teak oil and teak sealer, what their advantages are and their limitations. You can then make an informed decision about the best remedy to use to ensure your teak garden furniture lasts a lifetime.
Teak oil or teak sealer – what is the best way to care for teak garden furniture?
Teak is a tropical hardwood that grows in countries such as Indonesia, Myanmar, Thailand and India. Thanks to its special qualities, it has been a highly valued wood for decades. Teak “Grade A” is very dense wood obtained from the heart of mature teak. It has plenty of natural oil, which naturally protects the wood from damage caused by water, fungi, wood rot, insects and changes in weather and temperature. It is precisely this oil that gives the new teak garden furniture its typical golden color.
Preparation is important: remove patina and stains
The oil in the outer layer of the wood begins to evaporate and oxidize after a few weeks in the fresh air and sun. The beautiful honey color becomes paler and takes on a more yellowish cast. If you do nothing about it, the color will change to a pale, silvery gray. However, some people like the soft, weathered look of garden furniture. If you are one of these people, you don't need teak oil or teak sealer. Just clean your teak garden furniture with soapy water and a soft brush. This regular cleaning prevents the accumulation of dirt on the furniture and the formation of moss on its surfaces. It also helps ensure that the gray coloring occurs evenly. If you would rather keep the golden color, you shouldMaintain teak garden furnitureUse teak oil or teak sealer. What is the difference between the two remedies?
Care for teak garden furniture with teak oil
You should know that “teak oil” is not the same as teak oil. This means that the oil you get in the store does not contain any teak oil. It is made from either linseed oil or tung oil and also contains solvents. It is called teak oil for the simple reason that it is intended to be used on teak.Maintain teak garden furnitureyou can use teak oil. It gives your garden furniture a pleasant golden glow and is sure to look wonderful for a few weeks. However, the color then begins to fade again. This is simply because the oil evaporates again and the wood becomes dry, often even drier than before. Accordingly, teak oil will not help you maintain the original golden color. The natural oil contained in teak is good enough to protect it from pests and the weather. Teak oil is just a temporary way to beautify the wood. Of course, if you want, you can use it, but you will find that it will have to repeat the same procedure every few months and you will quickly lose interest.
Care for teak garden furniture with teak sealer
A better option forMaintain teak garden furnitureis probably more of a teak sealer. It offers the wood protection from UV rays. It also has substances that prevent the formation of mold. A layer forms over the wood, which also prevents the natural teak oil from oxidizing, preventing the wood from turning gray. Another advantage over teak oil is that the wood only needs to be treated once a year. Teak sealers are available in both natural and colored forms.
Before you use teak sealerMaintain teak garden furnitureIf you use it, you should clean your teak furniture thoroughly. Then let the furniture dry thoroughly. Then apply a thin coat of teak sealer to the wood using a sponge or rag. After an hour, another layer can be applied. The whole thing needs to dry for a few hours and youcanUse your teak garden furniture the next day. However, do not immediately apply teak sealer to your brand new teak garden furniture. Leave them outside for at least two weeks beforehand. Some teak sealer manufacturers add color to their products, allowing you to easily regain the original golden color.
Tips for protecting teak garden furniture
From these three options toMaintain teak garden furnitureis the easiest way to make the furniture gray. Just clean them regularly and they will look great. For those who prefer to keep the golden color, teak sealer is the better option. It protects against UV rays and oxidation, which affects the color of the wood. Although teak oil looks good, you will definitely regret this choice over time as you will have to repeat this treatment every few months.
Teak cleaning
Over time, the teak wood turns gray, which some people like, and forms the so-called patina. However, dust and other dirt can collect, which will certainly spoil the well-kept look of the garden furniture. Regardless of whether you prefer the naturally grayed appearance or the neat wooden look, at least the top layer of patina should be removed. There are 3 options for this – teak cleaner, sanding and high-pressure cleaning. We will enrich you with helpful tips on the topic.
Teak-Reiniger
The teak cleaner removes the layer of dust and dirt relatively gently. However, several processes are required to achieve the desired effect. However, this cleaning method is recommended for fairly new outdoor furniture that has been heavily exposed to outdoor weather. It will not have a great effect on garden furniture that is very dirty and has been around for a few years. They rely on one of the next two cleaning variants.
Teak sanding
Sanding large surfaces such as benches and garden tables by hand is simply not effective enough. It is doable, but very labor intensive. The use of an orbital sander is recommended for this. You should get enough sandpaper with a grit strength of 80 to 240. Treat the wood surface only along the wood grain. This way you avoid unsightly scratches. After sanding, clean the wood of sanding dust with a damp cloth. You can then oil or use a teak sealer as desired.
High pressure cleaning
Cleaning any wooden surface is generally not recommended. It is very effective and like no other cleaning method can be compared. However, there is a risk of damaging the wood. To avoid this, keep the pressure low and stay well away from the wood surface. Be extremely careful as the high pressure will roughen the wood somewhat. Afterwards, it is recommended to refinish the surfaces with fine-grain sandpaper.
The teak garden furniture in winter
The big advantage of teak garden furniture is that it can be left outside in the winter without any concerns. Even if there is snow and ice, no damage will occur. Who doesn't know what it's like to want to sit outside in the pleasant sunshine in winter, but there's no seating because all the seating furniture has been in the basement since autumn. However, it is best to store the oiled furniture under a roof or use a commercially available cover. Garden furniture tarpaulins specifically suitable for this purpose are a good solution. Please note, however, that the wood itself is a natural product and as such wants to breathe. It should not be covered too thickly. Regardless of the material, wooden furniture has no place in the heating room. If the air is too dry, it quickly leads to unsightly cracks in the wood.
