A highly popular choice for outdoor furniture, teak is prevalent and desirable because of its natural appeal and ability to survive in extreme weather. It is an admirable choice for outdoor furniture trends with several options, such as a teak outdoor dining set and an outdoor table, or when it comes to home furniture, teak takes the lead too. Due to its natural color and grain style, teak has a high aesthetic appeal. Teak furniture looks lovely and organic in a garden setting and can also be placed outside year-round and withstand the worst weather conditions.
Teak, though expensive, is considered a one-time investment with lifetime strength and use. But one thing teak suffers from is the fading when placed outdoors. The natural golden hue of teak slowly transforms into a gray shade despite offering it regular maintenance and upkeep. Besides the fading, the teak remains sturdy, and the structure is well for use.
Hence, rather than opting for other options, several ways are now introduced to restore teak outdoor furniture to its natural color and hue. This article will discuss a step-by-step guide to help you restore teak furniture.
How to Restore Teak Outdoor Furniture?
Before learning to refinish teak outdoor furniture to its original color and hue, it is important to realize that the initial teak color is purely naturally occurring, and there is not a 100% chance that you will obtain a look as fresh as newly obtained teak. The natural golden glow of teak wood comes from the protective oil secreted by the hardwood, so teak’s regular maintenance just requires cleaning it with a damp cloth.
And as time goes by and a teak outdoor sofa is exposed to weather conditions, the wood’s outside layer dries up, and the protective oil evaporates, causing the shine to disappear and fade into a gray hue. Although you can paint the teak to an artificial golden color, the natural glow or hue is hard to retain with a top coat or a varnish. Instead, there are a few other ways to restore and refinish teak patio furniture to almost its natural color.
Clean the Furniture Thoroughly
A piece of furniture is made with many joints and designs; hence the first step to cleaning any teak outdoor bar set or a teak wood table is to clean it thoroughly and properly. When performing the cleaning action, make sure you are gentle with the cleaning process and that the equipment used to clean does not have any rough edges or hard bristles. The best way is to use a soft bristle brush or a damp microfiber cloth. Make a mixture of mild detergent with water in equal parts, and use the brush or cloth to wipe away all the dirt and grime gently.
Sanding the Teak
This method removes the top coating, accumulating on the teak over time and hence causes a change in hue. After the furniture has dried, sand the surface with fine-grit paper. Any leftover dirt will be removed by sanding, which will also assist in smoothing down any rough edges.
It also aids in enhancing the wood’s inherent beauty and color. Due to weather exposure, teak furniture might eventually turn gray and boring. Sanding can assist in removing this aged covering and exposing the teak’s rich, golden color below. Remember to sand against the wood’s grain to prevent scratching the surface. A hoover or moist cloth can be used to remove the tiny dust.
Apply Teak Oil
After you are done with sanding and removing the top dirt and grime layer, the next step is to apply teak oil. Teak oil is an artificial oil obtained to match the natural consistency and texture of oil produced by teak wood. As the oil content in an older teak wood naturally decreases hence the need to apply teak oil artificially. Apply the teak oil in a thin layer with long and even strokes along the grain pattern. Remove any excess with a fresh towel after allowing the oil to absorb for around 15 minutes. Continue doing this until the wood is well covered with oil.
Soaking the Oil
The next step is to leave your teak wood for at least 24 hours so the oil is soaked in completely. Avoid using or moving, or directly touching the furniture during this time. During this time, the oil will penetrate deep into the wood restoring its natural color and texture throughout the layers.
Protect the Furniture
It’s crucial to shield your teak furniture from the weather if you want it to maintain its finest appearance. No matter how weather-resistant your material is, buying furniture coverings or indoor storage is advised when it’s not in use or during the off-season. Applying a teak sealer is another option for enhancing weather resistance.
Refinish the Furniture
This is a step many people skip, but to retain the entire process and keep the teak maintained for a long time before another maintenance, it is important to refinish the furniture.
You might need to restore your teak furniture if it has been excessively worn or damaged. The furniture must be stripped to its basic wood and given a fresh finish to achieve this. Finishes come in various forms, including varnish, lacquer, and oil-based finishes.
How to Keep Teak Furniture Fresh for Long?
Of course, teak comes with the advantage of being weather resistant, but still, in regions of harsh weather conditions and constant rains, there are some ways to keep teak fresh for a long time.
- Try to keep teak furniture away from sunlight when not in use. This will prevent it from fading considerably more quickly.
- Use rain-resistant covers and protective coatings to prevent your furniture from rain and winds.
- Every year, restore or refinish your teak furniture to prevent it from losing its shine and natural color permanently.
- Use a sealer instead of a varnish because the latter won’t hold up and will eventually flake off.
