Nyatoh Teak Oil Recommendations

Nyatoh

• Although these woods suit outdoor use and exposure, nyatoh receives a coating to protect it from the elements and increase its longevity. While nyatoh resists dents and scratches and withstands hot and cold temperatures, it is also malleable. The nyatoh name applies to the lighter and medium-weight woods of the rain forest, while the heavier woods are termed bitis. All of these woods belong to the Sapotaceae family. Wood grain may be straight or slightly wavy.

Oil

• New nyatoh wood furniture resembles teak, although not as distinctively gold as actual teak. It tends toward a reddish brown hue. In time, nyatoh wood weathers and turns gray. To keep the wood from changing color, regularly apply teak oil. Linseed oil provides similar benefits. The wood coating does not affect oil absorption. Apply teak oil approximately every three months. However, if you stain your nyatoh furniture, do not use teak oil as it may cause discoloration unless you first sand out the staining.

Maintenance

• Teak also originates from the tropics, but is a hardwood rather than a light or medium wood. While new teak furniture is golden, it eventually weathers to a gray or silver color, much like nyatoh. To keep teak furniture looking golden and smooth, regular sanding is necessary as well as teak oil use. Nyatoh wood furniture does not require the sanding process. Such a process would also remove the protective coating. Application of teak oil does not protect nyatoh wood. It serves only as color maintenance.

Warning

• Rain forest protection groups warn that excessive logging of nyatoh woods results in rain forest destruction, as well as intrusion on the lands of native peoples. The environmental organization Rainforest Relief contends, "Indigenous cultures and native wildlife are being gravely harmed as their forest homelands are ruined by logging." Unlike teak, grown on plantations, nyatoh woods come directly from old-growth rain forests.