Treating outdoor teak

Teak is a widely used type of wood from Indonesia and can withstand a humid climate and sun well. Additionally, it is characterized by its warm color. Just like other types of wood such as Douglas fir or Bankirai, teak turns gray when left outdoors untreated. Sun and rain often cause a silver-gray color within just a year. The wood subsequently dries out, and in the long term, you will see it split. The wet Dutch climate causes the wood to dry out much faster than is often promised by many sellers or online blog articles. In this article, you will read how to extend the lifespan of your teak outdoor furniture and delay graying. No false promises!

To make things easy right away, we have a set with all the essentials at Osmo. The care set contains Osmo Terras-Olie 007, a Teak Oil that is essentially a hardwood oil and is suitable for all types of wood that are already weathered outdoors. In addition to the hardwood oil, it also contains the Osmo Power-Gel Hout Ontgrijzer and the tools to maintain and oil it.

Colorless oil requires frequent maintenance, so if you want more durable protection against the sun, it is best to choose an oil with pigment, such as Osmo Natuurlijke Olie-Beits (transparent coloring) or Osmo Landhuisverf (opaque paint).

• Complete care kit: you can get started right away.
• Protects against weather influences and prevents drying out and cracking.
• Visibly refreshes grayed wood.
• Suitable for all types of hardwood and softwood outdoors.

There are three products for treating an outdoor teak table. As our first choice, we recommend Osmo Natuurlijke Olie-Beits. This colors the wood transparently in the color of your choice without losing the table's character. Because the product contains color pigments, it protects against UV radiation. As a result, the wood grays slowly and is protected against moisture and dirt.

The second product is the Osmo Terras-Olie 007, Teakolie. This colorless hardwood oil enhances teak tables and colors them as if they were wet. This creates a very natural look where the grain and structure stand out even more. You can brush the oil onto the wood very easily. With two coats, the teak wood is protected and can be used outdoors without risk. The oil dries to a satin finish, giving it a slight sheen.

The third product is Osmo Landhuisverf. This product consists of no less than 60% solids—a unique product compared to most water-based paints. Osmo Landhuisverf is a unique paint because you never have to sand it again. After cleaning green deposits, you can apply an extra coat immediately without priming, undercoating, or degreasing.

If you have already done some research, you will often come across products like linseed oil. Sometimes you also see the tip to use sunflower or olive oil from the supermarket; unfortunately, that is a myth that simply does not work. The oil must be processed in such a way that it can penetrate the wood; for this, a thinner must be used, which is incorporated as standard in most teak oil products.

All Osmo products are oil-based; this ensures that the treatment will not crack or peel. Osmo is one of the few brands that uses various oils: linseed oil, soybean oil, and thistle oil—all oils from renewable sources that can be extracted in Europe, unlike Tung oil.

Oil provides saturation and a water-repellent surface, unlike most alternative brands that are water-based. Due to the water base, these products can be offered at a lower price, but unfortunately, this does not saturate the wood, meaning the lifespan of the treatment is at most 1 to 2 seasons. Maintenance must be done by sanding, which is an incredibly heavy and time-consuming job. If you think you are saving money with water oil, you could actually end up paying more in the long run.

Maintaining a teak table treated with Osmo is very simple. Osmo treatment products last for years and therefore do not need to be reapplied every year. This ensures a low-maintenance process.

Most Osmo outdoor products last between 3 and 6 years. This depends on the degree of weather influence and usage. When the appearance of the teak table becomes less appealing, it can simply be cleaned and then given a fresh coat of Osmo. This ensures that the teak table looks like new again.

Maintenance of teak furniture

In addition to tables, other furniture made of teak can also be treated with Osmo products. Think of a garden set or wooden lounge. Maintaining the garden furniture ensures that it can remain outdoors all year round and lasts longer. It is recommended to apply a new coat of Osmo every 3 to 6 years. Additionally, clean the wood occasionally with the Osmo Terrasreiniger. Has the wood turned gray? Then first use the Osmo Power-Gel Hout Ontgrijzer.

Cleaning Teak

Osmo Terrasreiniger can be used to clean the outdoor table. You can easily mix this product with water, after which you clean with a stiff brush. It removes dirt and green deposits from the wood. The water-soluble ingredients reduce the risk of streaks and do not build up a film layer like green soap.

Teak Maintenance for Boats

Boats with a deck or other parts made of teak wood can also be maintained and cleaned using Osmo products. You can use Osmo Terrasreiniger to clean the deck. After cleaning, all dirt is removed and a new layer can be applied (if necessary).

Grayed Teak

Has your outdoor teak wood turned gray due to the sun? No problem! With Osmo Power-Gel, you can quickly restore the natural color of the teak wood. Simply apply the Power-Gel to the wood, then scrub thoroughly, and the beautiful color of the teak wood will reappear. After removing the graying, it is recommended to treat the wood. The Power-Gel and treatment with Osmo provide protection against water, algae, fungi, and UV radiation.