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How to Care for your Teak Garden Furniture |
Long treasured for the beauty of its grain, golden color and timeless durability, teak has been a favored material for use abroad ships and yachts and for use in outdoor furniture.
When teak patio furniture is exposed to the sun and weather, the natural oils
migrate to the surface of the wood. The sun then oxidizes this oil and turns
the surface a silver-gray color. Over extended periods of time this process depletes
the wood of its natural oils causing surface roughness and checking (cracks along
the grain of the wood) and the oxidized surface oil provides fertile ground for
the growth and mildew and fungus. This process, along with the erosion caused
by the wind and rain, will eventually make the surface dirty, unsightly and very
rough to the touch.
Kingsley Bate Teak products are devoted exclusively to the cleaning, restoration, and preservation of teak. To preserve the natural color of the teak for an extended period of time simply apply two coats of Kingsley
Bate Teak Sealer to new teak or newly cleaned teak and seasonally re-coat. This solvent based teak finish has a water-like viscosity containing pigments, mildew-cide, UV inhibitors and moisture protection. When properly applied to teak, the surface will look as if it has nothing on it, yet it will not turn gray or support the growth of mildew. Seasonal recoating of the teak along with washing with mild detergent will preserve the teak in its natural state for many years.
There are a variety of "teak oils" on the market for the protection of teak which usually consists of linseed or tung oil mixed with mineral spirits. When first applied to the wood these oils impart a nice finish, but left outdoors teak oils wear away in weeks and require re-coating. With each re-coat, the oiled finish becomes darker and the surface becomes sticky and collects dirt. The organic waste from these oils provides a wonderful garden patch for the growth of mold and mildew. In a very short period of time the wood requires a complete re-cleaning.
Varnish, polyurethane and polymer finishes apply a coating to the wood that will eventually be pushed off by the natural teak oil coming to the surface. The owner is then faced with the major job of stripping and sanding the teak before re-finishing.
If teak has been allowed to weather, the gray color and any mildew must be removed before finishing the wood. The cleaning process is harsh on the wood and may contribute to a rough surface if repeated many times.
To clean weathered teak, we offer Kingsley Bate Two Part Teak Cleaner. This product is easy to use and will produce dramatic results. To clean the teak, simply remove the furniture from any finished surface or remove any items that might be affected by the cleaning process. Teak cleaner will not hurt the lawn or fiberglass but it may damage painted surfaces or stain a patio. Always wear rubber gloves and goggles when using the cleaner. Using a hose, wet the wood thoroughly and be sure to allow plenty of water to flow where the rinse water will run. Open the applicator lid of the Red Part 1 cleaner and squirt onto a small area. It is best to work on one small area at a time. Overlap each area and work from top to bottom, not allowing the cleaner to dry on wood. Scrub the Part 1 with a Scotch Brite pad or a soft bristle brush and the wood will turn a deep brown color. Next, without rinsing, apply the Green Part 2 to the same area and scrub in the same fashion, the wood will then turn much lighter. Finally, rinse the area thoroughly with water and the teak should appear obviously lighter and cleaner. If any stains remain repeat the process. The wood will lighten further as it dries.
Kingsley Bate Teak Cleaner will remove teak oil, food stains, varnish residue,
and teak sealer. Any solid surface coating like varnish must be removed before
using Two Part Cleaner. Never use a brass brush or a pressure washer to clean
teak garden furniture, these methods will scour the soft grain of the wood causing
a rough and splintery surface. Never use steel wool to clean teak because it
will produce rust spots in the wood. Brass wool is acceptable but a Scotch Brite
pad is the best tool to clean teak.
If the teak patio furniture is already finished with Teak Sealer this type of
cleaning is not necessary unless you wish to remove the sealer and start again.
When teak is newly milled or has been sanded with a mechanical sander the heat from those processes will burnish or polish the natural oils in the wood. The dust created from sanding teak is very fine and oily, it will clog the pores of the wood. These two phenomena cause the "waxy" feeling the wood has when it is new. This burnished oil and dust may be removed prior to finishing. The finish will not soak into the burnished areas and the dust will absorb the finish and eventually be washed away causing a blotchy appearance.
To protect new teak patio furniture, we offer Kingsley
Bate Teak Sealer. Cleaning
with two part cleaner is not necessary for new teak, however the "waxy" feeling
of newly milled wood must be eliminated before finishing. To prepare new wood
for finishing one of two methods may be employed. The new teak can be allowed
to weather for a few weeks, until it begins to loose its color, or the process
can be accelerated by washing the wood with a strong detergent such as Tide,
Wisk or Simple Green. When the grain of the wood is open and the waxy feeling
gone, the wood is ready to be finished with Kingsley Bate Teak Sealer. To apply
Teak Sealer the wood must be completely dry. Shake the can or stir the contents
to thoroughly mix. Apply the sealer to the teak using a foam brush applicator
or spray with a pump sprayer allowing the wood to absorb as much as it will.
Always apply both coats in the same day. Use a rag to wipe any excess from the
wood after the second coat. Two coats as an initial application should be sufficient
in most cases, as more coats will mask the grain of the wood. The teak will be
dry to the touch in an hour and ready for service the next day. Cool, cloudy
or damp weather will slow the drying time.
When Teak Sealer is applied to the teak garden furniture and it has had a week
or two to weather, the wood will appear as if it had "nothing" on it, yet the
teak will not turn gray or allow the growth of mildew. After cleaning and sealing
the first time, an occasional cleaning with soap and water and a single fresh
coat of Sealer applied seasonally is all the maintenance required. A harsh environment
or heavy usage may shorten the intervals of maintenance required.
Teak garden furniture is unmatched in its beauty and durability. With the use
of Kingsley Bate Teak Products, the teak will require little care and will look
like new for many years to come. These products work in a similar fashion on
other types of wood such as Iroko, Mahogany, Redwood, Ash, Jatoba, and Butternut.
These teak products are sued in many commercial applications such as outdoor
restaurants, hotels, cruise ships, and theme parks. It is also used by many manufacturers
of boats, furniture and canoes.
Kingsley Bate welcomes the opportunity to discuss any individual application or question about these products. Please contact them at (800) 665-0223.
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