Another topic and question that we regularly get asked is how often do I need to oil my outdoor teak garden furniture? Teak is quite a sizeable investment so it goes without saying that customers want to ensure they are doing everything they possibly can to get the maximum lifespan from their teak outdoor furniture. In this latest blog from us here at Ottena, we will take a look at oiling your teak garden furniture and what can be done to help protect and prolong its life.
Teak is such a fantastic natural product and is without doubt the go to timber for the manufacture of high quality outdoor furniture. So, protecting it for the future is something we want to take seriously. Our customers are frequently enquiring about oiling their teak patio furniture, so we will discuss what we believe to be the best way to go about this.
Firstly, it must be said that teak has a naturally high oil content anyway, making it such a fantastic timber for outdoor use. It has its own in-built protection already. That being said, this does not necessarily mean you should not oil your teak garden furniture, there are just a few points to remember and consider before you do.
As it weathers and becomes exposed to the elements, teak patio furniture sets will gradually turn to a silver-grey patina. This is a completely natural process caused by exposure to UV rays and the weather. It is by no means something that damages the teak and can sometimes be what attracts customers to teak garden furniture. We have a lot of customers that really love the beautiful silver-grey colour that their teak garden bench will eventually become and actually prefer this to the golden-brown ‘new’ teak tones. But, if you want to have that gorgeous golden colour, then oiling your teak garden chair or teak table and chair set is something that will help to maintain this golden look.
Typically, to maintain the golden colour of your teak, we would recommend treating your teak once or twice a year. If your teak is exposed to strong sun or high amounts of rain, then once in the Spring and again in the Autumn before your garden furniture is packed away for winter will be more than adequate.
What you need to remember before you treat your teak garden furniture is, as it has its own natural oil content, it is not a good idea to over apply. This can cause a sticky finish. Also, if you are looking for that silver-grey patina then oiling is not for you, the natural oils in the teak will do their job more than adequately. Treating your garden furniture should be done with care and in moderation.
Applying teak oil is a relatively simple process, but there are a few key points to remember to ensure it all goes smoothly. Firstly, and probably most importantly, ensure your garden furniture is completely dry. Clean your garden furniture first, using mild soap and warm water or a suitable teak cleaner, then allow it to dry naturally before applying any teak oil. If at this point your teak patio set is looking a little weathered or rough in places, you can use some light sand paper to sand these areas and ensure any dust is removed. Once the teak is clean and fully dry, treatment can begin. It is important that you only apply a thin coat with a lint free cloth or applicator. Applying excessive amounts of teak oil, thinking this will help to protect your teak outdoor furniture, will actually cause you problems. Thick coats of oil will sometimes not be absorbed fully and will cause a sticky finish which will be detrimental to the teak furniture, so ensure only light coats are applied and any excess is removed.
Once treated, it is important to let the oil cure completely before putting your teak garden furniture back into use, ideally for at least 24 hours. You can then get back outside and enjoy your freshly treated teak garden furniture in a sunny spot of your garden.
Hopefully this has shed a little light on this subject for you. Treatment is a simple process which does not need to be done regularly, but following a few simple steps can make all the difference. It is also worth remembering that treating your teak Adirondack chair, teak folding table or teak Lutyens bench, for example, is a totally personal choice and is not something you have to do. If you are looking for a stunning silver-grey patina, don’t feel obliged to use teak oil.
Whatever you decide we are always at the end of an email if you have any questions, with oil and many other teak care products available, there are plenty of options for you to consider. Drop us an email to [email protected] and we will be happy to answer any questions or queries you may have.
