taking care of teak

[cazzer61]

Just bought a teak bench but it came with no care instructions.  How do I look after it??

[Sequin]

Use teak oil on it? Available from all good diy shops and some supermarkets

[Clanad]

Teak oil is primarily either linseed oil or tung oil. While these do enhance the beauty and protect the wood,  unfortunately it doesn't last very long (for a variety of reasons).  One can seal the wood, but the best solution is to use spar varnish (not urethane). Look for one heavily fortified with Ulta-violet (UV) ray protection.  This will give the longest lasting and best looking protection for all outdoor teak products.  (Be sure the wood is clean and dry before finishing and don't repeatedly go over it with the brush to get rid of the marks).  Best of luck!

[derekpara]

Sequin and Clanad are both right. The timber itself (if it's genuine Teak) is impervious to all weather conditions and Teak Oil will replace the small amount of natural oil lost through weathering. The nice new golden colour will soon be replaved by a silvering of the timber, as you will see from commerative benches in cemeteries or by the sea. A good quality marine or spar varnish will retain the original colour of the teak but will require a lot of maintenence itself - possible rubbing down and recoating with 2-3 coats every year. If you chose the latter method you must turn the bench upside down and coat the end grain several times as this is where moisture will creep under the varnish and lift it off. It will look a mess. My advice is to let nature take its course. We all go grey sometime !