The Home Merchant - Caring : Wood Care

Teakwood & Its Simple Care

Teak tree is a tropical hardwood tree commonly found in Asia such as Myanmar and Indonesia. It has a beautiful golden /honey brown color when it is new. As natural teak is exposed to the elements over a period of time, it gradually changes color from the honey color of new teak to a silver-gray patina which is how an outdoor teak looks like - distinguished and finely aged. After a while this silver-gray patina deteriorates to an even dark-gray and greenish look if it remains untreated.

Teak furniture, when left bare and unsanded, will fade to a natural silver-gray color. This color transformation does not affect the durability of the teak furniture or the wood itself. To maintain the smooth finish and golden brown color, you will need to sand your teak furniture regularly. To prolong the time needed between sandings, teak oil may also be applied. We recommend using Cap Pohon Teak Oil Wood Care from Indonesia. If you choose to apply teak oil, apply every 3 months, or follow the teak oil container instructions. If you choose to upkeep the smooth brown finish of your new teak furniture, this method requires some maintenance, such as sanding and reapplication of teak oil. Teak oil does not extend the teak lifespan, it simply maintains the golden brown color.

Cap Pohon Teak Oil Wood Care

For further read up, Wikipedia has a comprehensive topic on Teakwood.
Fires / Radiators

Where possible, avoid placing solid wood furniture in front of or near direct heat. As wood is a natural material, any change in temperature will cause the wood to shrink or expand, even though the teak is well seasoned and dired.

Placing a piece of furniture up a radiator will exaggerate this and may cause unsightly shrinkage and crack line in the wood. We recommend at least a meter distance from a heat source.

However, if you have encountered such problem, please do not worry. There are ways to restore and it will be as good as new. Below is one of the methods:

Tools Needed

Tools Needed
(clockwise top left) : Wire (Steel)
Wool,
Filler,
Spatula
Soft Cloth
Sanding Block
Abrasive Paper
Cabinet Scrapers

These tools are available in most hardware stores.

Wood Care Step 1

Step 1 : Remove the old coat of vanish using cabinet scrapper

Wood Care Step 2

Step 2 : Smoothed with extra-fine sandpaper (320 grit) on a sanding block, using small circular motions at first, followed by working along the grain direction.

Wood Care Step 3

Step 3 : With the help of the filer stick, press the wood filer into the area that require and wait for it to dry and harden. Repeat the filling until it level with the surface. Once the filer hardens, repeat Step 2 with the sanding block.

Wood Care Step 4

Step 4 : Once the surface is smoothed, applied the stain accordingly using brush or soft cloth that stroked parallel to the grain.

Last update on30th April, 2007, Monday.