Revive your teak furniture

When it comes to outdoor furniture, there’s almost nothing like the simple elegance of teak. It’s one of the most durable woods and, believe it or not, it’s easy to restore and maintain.

Even if your teak table set has faded to gray and looks as if it may be ready for the kindling pile, don’t strike that match. With the right sander, it’s easy to bring the teak table and chairs back to their glorious, golden days. Safety tip: You’ll be sanding the teak down to its bare essentials, so you must wear a dust mask and safety glasses for protection from the fine dust.

PROJECT STEPS

Step 1: Find a comfortable work area in a well-lit, well-ventilated space. Spread out the drop cloth and move your furniture to the center of it. If the drop cloth isn’t big enough for all the furniture, just work on one piece at a time.

Step 2: Put fresh pads on the orbital sander; don a dust mask, gloves and eyewear; and start sanding. The orbital sander is designed to move back and forth in a pattern that doesn’t leave discernible marks on the underlying wood. Let the tool do the work; avoid pushing down too hard on the sander. Keep working the wood until it’s no longer gray or weathered.

Step 3: Once you’ve covered all the surfaces you can reach with the orbital sander, use the sanding block on the remaining wood. Your block may not reach down into tight spaces, such as between slats of a chair. Use folded pieces of sandpaper to reach those tight spots. Keep working until the entire surface looks like raw wood. Take breaks often; your hands will need it.

Step 4: Using a barely damp rag, wipe down all the furniture to remove any remaining dust. After sanding, your furniture will be vulnerable, so don’t place anything on it or leave it in the rain. Water spots can form and leave permanent stains.

Step 5: Using a dry rag, apply the teak oil, one section at a time. Note how the wood glows as the oil brings out its rich, natural brown. Keep working the wood until all surfaces have been covered. Apply a second (and, if necessary, a third) coat of oil. Wipe down all surfaces with a clean cloth to remove any excess oil. Wait at least an hour before trying to use the furniture.

Step 6: Want to keep that new golden look forever? Keep your furniture lightly oiled with teak oil (once a month should be enough). Don’t expose the set to rain and snow (cover or store it when not in use). With good care, a teak furniture set can last for generations.

Congratulations! You’ve successfully saved a classic piece of furniture from the scrap pile.

Be Jane is an occasional home-improvement feature in digs. It’s adapted from www.BeJane.com, the online community created by Heidi Baker and Eden Jarrin.