Spring is finally here, and the sun is luring us outdoors. Are your teak furniture pieces not yet ready for spring? No problem. Here are our care tips for getting your outdoor wood back in shape. We will also tell you how to recognize when your garden bench & co. could use a refresh.
Step 1: Dry & wet cleaning
Before applying the »OLI-NATURA Yacht & Teak Oil«, even well-preserved and well-maintained garden furniture and patios must be cleaned. A hand brush helps remove coarser dirt. If a patina has already formed, you can dilute the »OLI-NATURA Exterior Wood Cleaner« or a soft soap with lukewarm water and scrub the surface thoroughly with a brush. Then rinse with plenty of water. For stubborn dirt, use the product undiluted and rinse with water afterward. Always work in the direction of the grain and allow the surface to dry thoroughly. Once the furniture has been cleaned thoroughly and completely, the piece will generally also become lighter. If necessary, sand wood fibers that have lifted due to moisture flat with sandpaper until the surface feels smooth again. Now brush away all sanding dust and wipe all surfaces with a damp cloth.
Step 2: Re-oiling & refreshing
As soon as the cleaned wood surface is completely dry, apply the»OLI-NATURA Yacht & Teak Oil«thinly to all sides using aflat brushor a cloth. Always brush in the direction of the grain and, after a short absorption time, remove the excess oil with a cotton cloth or an oil-absorbing cloth. For highly absorbent woods or very weathered surfaces, a second coat of oil is recommended after drying overnight.
If you oil your garden furniture outdoors, please do not do so in bright sunlight or damp weather. Theideal temperature range for oiling is between 15 and 25 °C. Lower temperatures make the oil viscous, preventing it from penetrating the wood properly.
Step 3: Allow to dry
As eager as you may be to use your garden furniture or wooden patio again as soon as possible, give the oil time to dry. Depending on the temperature, the surface will be dust-dry after 1–2 hours and fully cured after 2–3 days. During this time, protect the freshly oiled wood from water so that it can cure to a tough, elastic finish within the wood. After that, your garden bench or teak table will be ready for the gardening season.
How often does outdoor wood need re-oiling?
We are often asked when wooden garden furniture should be re-oiled and refreshed. You can find out with a simple trick: Place a few drops of water on the wood surface. If the drops remain on the surface for some time or bead up, everything is still in order and the wood is sufficiently saturated with oil. However, if the water penetrates immediately, the wood pores should be replenished with oil. Other signs of a declining oil content include a rough-feeling surface, fading color depth, and wood that is gradually turning gray. In that case, it should be re-oiled.
Depending on how heavily the wood is exposed to wind, sun, or rain, you should re-oil it once or twice a year.The right time to do so is at the beginning of spring and before storing it away in autumn. However, the care required depends largely on the type of wood. Hardwoods such as teak have a high oil content and are naturally very resistant. Wood types such as acacia or eucalyptus, on the other hand, contain significantly fewer natural oils and should therefore be re-oiled more often. The general rule is: Always apply only a thin coat of oil, so that it can penetrate well and the wood does not become oversaturated!
Do you have any questions?We are happy to help. Call us at Tel: +49 (0) 37208/84-488 or send an email tofaq@oli-lacke.de.
Let it bee
As a small thank-you for your order, you will receive a small seed packet for your empty pots. This colorful bee-friendly flower mix is intended to help our little helpers survive.
Your OLI-NATURA team wishes you a wonderful start to spring and a sunny outdoor season
