How to Seal Teak Wood

Teak wood's reistance to rot comes from its natural oils.

Teak wood comes from the teak tree (genus Tectona), a type of tropical hardwood birch. Teak's natural resistance to decay comes from its internal oils, which increase the wood's longevity, making it a good wood type for marine environments or other areas that have a high amount of moisture in the atmosphere. Even with teak wood's natural ability to resist decay, the wood benefits from an occasional cleaning and sealing with wood sealing oils or varnish.

Things You'll Need

• 200 grit sandpaper
• Clean paintbrush
• One-part teak cleaner
• Stiff bristled brush
• Teak oil
• Clean soft rag

Instructions

1. Sand the surface of the teak wood lightly with 200 grit sandpaper to smooth the surface of the wood. Do not over sand the wood--you only need to smooth the wood, not remove the discoloration caused by mold and exposure to ultraviolet light.

2. Remove the sanding dust from the surface of the teak wood by brushing the wood with a clean paintbrush.

3. Apply the one-part teak cleaner to the teak wood. Work the cleaner into the wood's surface with a stiff bristled brush. Allow the teak wood to dry before continuing.

4. Rub the teak oil into the surface of the teak wood with a clean soft rag. Cover the entire surface of the teak wood with the oil.

5. Allow the oil to absorb into the teak wood for one hour and then apply a second coat of oil to the wood with the stiff bristled brush. Do not use the treated teak wood for at least six hours to ensure the oil has completely absorbed into the teak wood.

References

• Marine Store: Teak Care and Maintenance
• Don Casey: Teak Care
• Amega Wood: Sealing Teak
• Westminster Teak: Teak Care
• Giant Chess: About Teak Wood

Resources

• Read this Article in Spanish