How to Revive a Teak Wood Finish

Freshly milled teak has a honey brown finish. Like many tropical woods, it is resinous and highly resistant to damage from insects and rot. These properties make it a popular, if somewhat expensive, choice for outdoor furniture and trim on boats. When exposed to direct sunlight, untreated teak will turn gray or silver. Some sailors and homeowners prefer this distinctive finish. Others enjoy the rich, deep color of the natural wood. Restoring the original beauty to your teak pieces will take few very few materials and a bit of time.

Sanding block or finishing sander
Sandpaper
Tack cloth
Teak oil
Clean, lint-free cloth

Instructions

- 1
  Attach fine-grain sandpaper to your sanding block or finish sander. Sanding with your hand alone, instead of using a block, can leave noticeable irregularities in the surface of your work.
- 2
  Sand the entire surface of your piece smooth. If your piece has been exposed to the elements long enough to turn the surface gray, sand until you remove the gray patina from the surface of the wood.
- 3
  Remove the sanding dust from your piece with a tack cloth. Turn and fold the tack cloth frequently to remove as much dust as possible.
- 4
  Apply a small amount of teak oil to a clean, lint-free cloth. Rub the oil onto the surface of the wood with a circular motion.
- 5
  Continue to apply oil until there is an even coat over the entire surface of the piece. Allow the oil to dry overnight.

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