How to Apply Teak Oil

Teak oil is an especially popular outdoor furniture oil which is thought to preserve color and integrity. Surprisingly, there are several types of teak oil from which to choose. If you are looking to revive and protect your wooden surface with teak oil, I have tips and advice on how to apply teak oil.

Why to Apply Teak Oil

Teak oil is used widely by DIYers and woodworkers around the world. Its primary use is to help bring a smooth, shiny surface to aged, outdoor wooden furniture. As wooden furniture is exposed to the elements, finishes often crack and color washes out.

Applying teak oil to your furniture can provide a temporary glossy coat. Beyond a shiny finish, the results of applying teak oil will vary widely depending on the type of teak oil you apply. Teak oil can be applied to most raw woods, not just teak wood.

If you are hoping to apply teak oil to restore resin or natural oils into your teak wood, that will not happen. Teak oil does not restore naturally occurring oils, resins, or sap into teak wood.

If you want to use teak oil on your woodworking project, first you need to understand the variety of teak oils available to you. 

Numerous outdoor chairs in the garden are being treated with teak oil.

Choosing Teak Oil to Apply

There are a wide variety of teak oils on the market. Many of the available options are not rightly classified as oil and none of them contain oil from teak trees. 

Teak oil as a term is a bit misleading. Teak oil got its name because it was a special blend of oil applied to teak wood in furniture factories. Teak oil is a finishing product that was once applied to teak wood, not an oil harvested from teak trees.

There are a wide variety of teak oils. Varying from brand to brand, you can buy more “natural” teak oil that comes from tung fruit, linseed oil, or combinations of these oils. On the other hand, you can buy solvent-based teak oil created from mixtures of mineral oil, varnish, and/or turpentine. 

One brand of teak oil is actually more of a wax than an oil! How to apply teak oil is dependent upon which type of teak oil you choose. So, read the contents of your teak oil bottle to determine which method works best for you.

How to Apply Teak Oil

For any woodworking project, you will need to properly prepare  your surface to receive a finish. I will discuss how to prepare wood in different conditions for teak oil, then discuss with more detail the method for applying types of teak for best results.

Preparing Surfaces for Teak Oil

Newly purchased wooden outdoor furniture is often unfinished and beautiful in its natural state. If you want to preserve that new-furniture coloration, you will need to apply oil or a sealer to prevent oxidation, elements, and UV damage.

Preparation Method for New Wooden Furniture:

  1. If you are applying teak oil to new outdoor furniture, allow the furniture to acclimate to its environment for at least two week before applying oil.
  2. Scrub the furniture with a soft-bristled brush using soap and water. Make sure all dust and dirt is cleaned away.
  3. Allow furniture to completely dry.
  4. Using a lint-free rag, wipe down the furniture with mineral spirits.
  5. Let surfaces dry.

For many types of hardwoods, the patina that comes with exposure to the elements is a desired trait. Teak wood especially ages well. 

Tip: Teak wood is a species of wood native to South Asia. Its durability and resistance to rot and insects such as termites has made it a favorite of woodworkers for centuries. The humid, sun-filled native habitat of teak wood helped teak wood develop resistance to deteriorating in sunlight and high humidity.

If you want to protect the integrity of the furniture as well as its patina, follow these directions.

Preparation Method for Older Wooden Furniture

  1. Use a garden hose to spray off your outdoor furniture. Remove all loose dirt, dust, and cobwebs.
  2. Allow furniture to completely dry.
  3. After the furniture has dried, mix laundry detergent and water in a two-to-one ratio.
  4. With a soft bristled scrub brush, apply the soap paying special attention to joints, cracks, and crevices.
  5. Wash off soap.
  6. Allow furniture to dry.
  7. Wipe down furniture with a lint-free rag dampened with mineral spirits.
  8. Give time for all surfaces to dry.
Gloves and old clothes are used to prepare the wood for the application of teak oil.

Tip: if your older furniture has stains from food or bird poop, it can be lightly sanded with #220 grit sandpaper. Sand away stains or rough areas prior to scrubbing with your laundry detergent and water solution.

Applying “Natural” or Solvent-Based Teak Oil

There are many options to choose from for applying teak oil to your project. The most common method for applying teak oil is using a rag. You can also use a synthetic bristle brush. I have found more reliable, even coverage using rags.

We recommend using cheesecloth for wipe-away finishes such as teak oil. When purchasing cheesecloth for your teak oil application, make sure the cheesecloth is prewashed and lint free. While not the cheapest rag on the market, cheesecloth provides the most consistent performance.

Method:

When your wooden furniture is prepped for teak oil:

  1. Dip your cheesecloth in teak oil.
  2. Wipe down your wood furniture with teak oil using steady pressure.
  3. Reapply teak oil to your rag as necessary.
  4. Coat the entire piece evenly.
  5. Allow the teak oil to rest on the surface of your wooden furniture for up to 15 minutes or for as long as recommended by the manufacturer.
  6. Wipe away excess teak oil.
  7. Repeat at least annually to maintain luster. Up to every 3 months in high heat, high aridity areas.

Tip: If your teak oil is wiping varnish, you can skip step 6. This will allow a thicker, more protective coat to build up. Teak oil can be applied to most wood surfaces so long as those surfaces are adequately prepared to receive oil.

Teak Oil and UV Protection

From my experience, many of the promises displayed on teak oil labels end up broken. UV protection almost never works with teak oil.

The only surefire way to prevent UV damage to your wooden furniture is coat the wood in a finish that prevents the passage of sunlight. Paint is the most reliable finish to do this, or you could opt for applying a polyurethane or spraying a varnish.

Finishes that are applied with several coats, such as waxes, can inhibit UV damage but only if several layers are applied. With most of the “natural” or solvent-based teak oil options, the layers are so thin that any added UV protection does next-to-nil to actually prevent UV damage.

Teak oil may very well have UV-blocking additives, but in my experience they nearly always fail to deliver as promised.

If you end up with outdoor furniture or a deck that is made of teak wood, you are in good shape without applying finishers or sealers. Teak wood is globally prized for its ability to withstand harsh conditions.

How to Apply Pure Tung Oil to Wood (the right way)

Conclusion

Teak oil has a fascinating history that stems from the popularity of teak wood. Teak oil contains no oil from the teak wood tree. Instead, there are myriad combinations of ingredients that make many types of teak oils. I highly recommend reading labels closely.

Teak oils will not restore resins or oils into teak wood. Its application will also not add noticeable longevity to your teak wood furniture. The choice to add teak oil to your teak wood furniture should be made if you are chasing aesthetics, not if you are after durability. 

Allen runs a popular home website, and understands what it takes to educate audiences through online content. Through his focus at home, Allen developed an insatiable appetite for home improvement projects that he could do for cheap on weekends. Over the years, he has gained valuable experience, which he shares in detail in articles like How to Build A DIY Dining Room Table. His ability to clearly share these DIY ideas is a huge asset, and he is a valuable resource to the home improvement community.