People who would like to retain the new appearance of teak outdoor furniture may have to choose between using teak oil or teak sealers to protect the furniture from the oxidation that causes that furniture to turn gray after a few months outdoors. This article discusses those two surface treatments so that you can select the most appropriate one for preserving the appearance of your teak furniture.
Teak Oil
Teak oil refers to a combination of tung oil or linseed oil added to thinners and varnish. This mixture is called teak oil because it is intended to be applied on teak furniture. True teak oil exists naturally within the wood itself. That natural oil gives teak wood its longevity and resistance to microbial activity, moisture ingress and wood rot. The teak oil that you can buy only provides temporary protection to the surface of the teak.
The furniture will again start to fade after a few months because the teak oil will have degraded or evaporated. You will then be compelled to reapply the teak oil several times each year in order to restore the colour of that furniture.
Another shortcoming of teak oil is that it can often lead to the growth of mildew on your furniture. This is because the ingredients in teak oil provide a suitable breeding ground for those microorganisms. Frequent cleaning may therefore be needed to remove the spots created by the growth of mildew.
Teak Sealers
Teak sealers protect your pool lounges from oxidation by UV radiation. They also have ingredients that prevent mildew from growing on your outdoor teak furniture. However, the sealer eventually breaks down and has to be reapplied. This reapplication is usually needed less frequently when compared to the frequency of applying teak oil on the pool lounges. For instance, you may need to reapply the sealer once a year. You should clean the furniture thoroughly before reapplying the sealer so that no dirt or moisture is trapped underneath the sealcoat.
As you can see, each of the options above has its own merits and demerits. Discuss your needs with a supplier of teak furniture, such as The Teak Place, so that you can receive professional advice about which of the options above is better for you. The supplier may even advise you to let the teak weather naturally so that so you don't spend a lot on products that have a limited effect.
