How To Darken Teak Furniture?

Do you maintain your teak furniture? If you plan to maintain it and keep it for years, then you have to have some information about how to darken teak furniture.  

Your teak wood furniture will fade with time, but this process is gradual. In order to make sure that your furniture looks great, you need to do some things. 

Can you darken your Teak furniture? 

Teak is a popular choice for furniture, particularly outdoor furniture. It is a tropical hardwood that has a golden brown color with red undertones. If you want to achieve a darker shade of Teak, you can paint over the existing finish with another coat of stain.  

The first step is to wipe off the old finish with a clean cloth. Allow the surface to dry. Mix up some new stain and brush it onto the wood in the same way as you did before. Allow it to dry and repeat the process until you achieve your desired shade. 

Why Teak Furniture is getting lighter? 

Teak is a tropical hardwood native to South-East Asia. It has been used for centuries in ship building and furniture. Teak wood is naturally strong, durable and stable. 

Teak wood is known to change color over time with exposure to the sun’s UV rays. The teak wood will initially turn a grayish-yellow color and later on turn lighter to golden brown with a reddish hue.  

This is an indication that the teak wood is drying out and curing properly, which can take up to 6 months or longer depending on environmental conditions, exposure and climate. 

As the teak wood dries out, those boards will become lighter in color and may even change from dark brown to golden tan from one board to another within the same installation area.  

This does not affect the quality of your teak furniture at all. In fact, it means that the drying process has been successful and you have high quality teak that will last for many years without any maintenance whatsoever. 

While we do have some customers who prefer their teak pieces to be light colored because it matches better with the color of their pool or lake, most people prefer their teak furniture to be golden brown like we see on tropical islands such as Bali or Thailand. 

Things to know when staining your Teak furniture 

Teak is the most exotic hardwood in the world. It is highly valued for its beauty and strength. Teak’s unique scent also makes it one of the most sought-after types of wood for furniture and flooring. 

Teak is a very strong and durable material, but it does require some special attention when it comes to staining.  

Here we give you some tips on how to do it right. 

1) Always use waterproof teak oil 

Waterproofing your teak furniture with teak oil will keep the wood from absorbing water when it rains or gets wet by other means thus preventing cracks in the wood. 

2) Use an oil-based stain if you choose to use a stain 

Most homeowners prefer to have a stained finish rather than just using pure oil as a sealant. Stains also provide rich color to the wood while sealing it at the same time. 

3) Apply multiple thin coats rather than one thick coat 

Using multiple thin layers makes sure that each layer penetrates the wood deeply and that there are no gaps between different layers of sealant and stain. This will make sure that your sealant lasts longer and keeps your furniture looking beautiful longer. You can apply up to 3 layers of sealant, which is enough for most furniture. 

How to darken your Teak Furniture 

Teak is a lovely wood, but it isn’t always the color that people want. In some cases, teak furniture fades or becomes gray over time. There are a variety of ways to restore the color and make the furniture look new again. 

There are a few different ways to darken teak furniture, but not all of them produce the desired effect. Some techniques may fade the furniture, some may make it darker than desired and some may not work at all. By understanding which techniques work well and which do not, a person can try different methods until they find one that works for their needs. 

Cleaning supplies  

• Clean rags 
• Bucket 
• Water 
• Vinegar 
• Teak oil (optional) 
• White vinegar (optional) 

Physical techniques 

There are several ways to darken teak furniture without using chemicals. One simple technique is to polish the teak with a soft cloth. By rubbing it in a circular motion, small scratches and dents can be smoothed out over time. A slightly darker brown color will begin to appear on the cloth as the teak becomes polished and bright again. 

The second way to restore natural color is by using a scrub brush and some water. Scrubbing lightly across the wood will remove dirt, grime, mold and other contaminants that have built up over time. After scrubbing, the wood should be dried with a clean rag. If there are still deep scratches in the wood when it is dry, apply some sandpaper or fine steel wool and gently rub over the affected area until the wood is smooth again. 

This method may not always produce the desired effect, however. The teak may become too dark for some people’s tastes if it has been cleaned for a very long time or if it has already been darkened by previous treatments. 

Tips for caring for Teak furniture 

Teak furniture is used outdoors and will be exposed to the elements. The key to caring for teak is to maintain its natural oils by keeping it clean and dry. Teak does not like to be wet or exposed to excessive moisture. 

Treat your teak furniture with a high quality teak sealer before its first use. This will protect the wood from damaging moisture and salt. Avoid using a pressure washer on your teak furniture because it can strip the protective oils from the wood. Apply the sealer annually or after each cleaning to keep the wood protected. 

Keep your wood furniture away from heat sources such as fireplaces, heaters and direct sun in order to avoid cracking or warping of the wood. 

Does teak oil make wood darker? 

Linseed oil, tung oil and oil/varnish-blend finishes darken considerably as they age. All oils contain natural resins and wood pigments that become more concentrated over time, producing a darker color. 

Can I add stain to teak oil? 

Teak oil is a natural product, made directly from the wood of the teak tree. But many products labeled as teak oil are actually a combination of oil and varnish. These products are great for outdoor furniture because they create a smooth, durable surface, but they aren’t the same as pure teak oil. 

Can you use gel stain on teak? 

Gel stains are a great way to fix an ugly tabletop or add some character to your deck. They’re easy to use, too, but not all of them are suitable for outdoor use. Gel stains are water-based and penetrate the wood fibers. The gel stain will change the color of the wood, but it will not seal the wood.