Teak furniture is a classic choice for patio furniture because teak is a hardwood prized for its beauty due to its high oil and wax content. It is also very popular as an indoor furnishing choice because teak is resistant to insects, rot and fungus. After years of exposure to use and weather, however, teak can change in appearance. Homeowners who have invested in teak furniture should also invest time in learning about proper teak restoration techniques as well as the secrets of teak furniture restoration.
New teak furniture has an attractive warm honey color when the wood is new. Over time and exposure to the elements such as wind, moisture and sunlight, this color gives way to one that is silver-gray in tone with the texture of the wood more dry than when it was new. Some people prefer the aged look of teak, but for homeowners who want to restore their teak furniture to its original youthful beauty, there are several teak furniture restoration tips to follow.
The first step is to remove the outer layer of gray patina on the wood by using a soft brush dipped in a mixture of water and mild detergent. Rub the wood gently to see the newer, original color emerge. If this procedure doesn’t work because the wood is more than a few years old, stripping the outermost layer of wood off with a chemical stripper formulated for teak wood is an option, as is using sandpaper to gradually and gently remove the patina located on the top layer of wood.
The next step is to use a soft clean cloth to apply teak oil over every surface of the piece, taking care to mop up any excess in order to restore a glowing shine to the wood. Apply teak oil as needed throughout the year to restore the wood’s lustre.