FAQ's

Teak – Grade A

GENERAL:

  • Is it Okay to oil my teak furniture?

Kingsley-Bate does not recommend oiling teak furniture (using oil based products). If done improperly, oiling can cause mildew or irregular colouring & is not covered under warranty.

Teak wood should not be lacquered.

  •  How should I care for teak if it’s used indoors?

    If teak furniture is used indoors, we suggest it could be useful to periodically apply a thin coat of wax (eg. Johnson’s Wax). Doing so provides the teak with additional protection from natural body oils, dust and dirt that may come in contact with the furniture.

     

    BEFORE USE:

    • Do I need to clean my teak furniture before using it the first time?

    Yes. Before placing cushions on your new teak furniture, remove any dust from the manufacturing process by wiping the furniture with a damp cloth. Teak has oil that occurs naturally in the wood. Expect some of this oil from the surface areas to bleed away during the first few rainfalls. To protect your cushions in the early days, bring them inside therefore before the furniture gets wet so the cushions are not marked from the natural oil on the surface of the new timber. If you have sling seated chairs, likewise move them away from under table surfaces during the first rainfalls. Once the furniture has started to acquire it’s natural silver-gray patina, it is no longer necessary to bring the cushions indoors or move sling chairs.  

    • How can I protect my teak table from food & drink stains?

    Kingsley Bate’s Teak Shield is a completely transparent product that makes it difficult for stains from red wine, salad oil, & coffee to penetrate wood, so that fresh spills can be wiped away with a damp cloth. Teak Shield can be used on clean, naturally weathered wood, or on furniture that has been treated with our Teak Protector. We recommend applying it two or more times per year depending on use and exposure.

    • Do I need to bring my cushions indoors?

    If your furniture is new … see Before Use notes. Bringing cushions indoors is recommended but high quality cushions can withstand a lot so it comes down to personal choice and practicality. Bringing cushions in when the furniture is not in use will prolong the lifespan of the cushions, and keep them looking fresher for longer. In higher rainfall months, in dusty environments, if there is a lot of soiling from birds or other animals, or foliage dropping from trees, the cushions will benefit from staying away from these elements during those times. Out of season, or for extended periods of non-use, it would be logical to put the cushions away undercover to keep them fresher for when they will be used next.

     

    THE WEATHERING PROCESS:

    • How does Teak Wood Weather?

    Teak wood furniture, when exposed to the outdoors, will form a handsome silver-gray patina. This process will take approximately 9 months, depending on the amount of sunlight and rain exposure.

     During the weathering process you may notice “checking” or small cracks that appear in the wood. This is perfectly natural, as wood expands and contracts slightly when left outdoors. Checking is cosmetic only and in no way affects the structural integrity of the furniture. Checking is not covered by warranty.

     A lifting of the grain may occur on the top edges of the arms and legs. The grain will return to a smoother finish, closer to the original finish, after the initial weathering process. To aid this process, simply clean the furniture with a soft bristle brush or sponge as indicated in our cleaning instructions.

     Water spots of other discolouration may also occur during the weathering process. These will even out over time and with periodic cleaning, and the longer exposure to the elements, the furniture will achieve a uniform silver-gray.

    • How can I prevent my teak from turning Silver-Grey?

    If you prefer to keep your teak wood a golden colour, you can use a product suchs as Kingsley-Bate Teak Protector. This is a purely cosmetic application related only to the colour. There is no need to maintain the timber itself. This product will simply help retain the original wood colour for approximately one season. It can be reapplied as needed. You should wait 2 seeks before applying the protector to newly assembled furniture. We strongly recommend you try it on a small area of your furniture first  - eg. the back of a leg or underside of a chair – to ensure you like the results before applying it more generally.

     

    TRADE CUSTOMERS:

    Accredited Interior Designers, Architects & Specifiers please email us with your company letter head  & credentials and request to become an industry trade buyer.