If you have teak furniture or a teak deck, you’ve probably noticed that after years of exposure to the elements, its yellowish-brown color has faded to grey. Moreover, the wood surface might be scratched and stained. If you want to restore its appearance and natural elegance, it might be a good idea to refinish it.
Here are some tips on what you need to do when refinishing teak wood.
What You Need:
– Teak oil
– Lacquer thinner
– Sandpaper or a vibrating sander
– Chemical stripper for teak wood
– Soft cloths
– Protective gloves
Steps to Follow When Refinishing Teak Wood
1. Use protective equipment, and work in a ventilated space, preferably outdoors.
2. Clean the wood with a soft cloth to remove dust, and polish the surface of your teak furniture or flooring.
3. Take the chemical stripper and apply it to remove the existing finish. Wait for about thirty minutes.
4. Remove the remaining chemical stripper from the wood and apply lacquer thinner evenly over the entire surface. When applying products designed for teak wood, such as chemical stripper and lacquer, follow the instructions on the label closely.
5. Use a circular sander to sand the wood or sandpaper if you prefer. The circular sander will make your job much easier, and you’ll finish sanding your teak wood in a shorter time.
6. Now, it’s time to apply the new finish. You can restore the color of your teak furniture or flooring with an oil-based stain. If color is not your top priority, and you just want to give your teak wood a fresh look, you can forget about staining and leave it as it is.
In time, due to exposure to the sun, teak will regain a grey patina. It’s up to you to keep it that way or restore its original color from time to time.
Want to Leave Refinishing to the Professionals?
Not sure about refinishing your teak furniture or flooring yourself? TalkLocal can connect you with experienced local professionals in minutes, for free!
Tags: Refinishing Teak Wood
