Teak Refinishing Techniques

Teak for instance is an oily hardwood and if left unprotected with either oil, paint or a type of natural or synthetic transparent coating such as varnish, the exterior will take on a grey look. Some people like this weathered look but others would prefer the warm, natural, honey colored tones that teak has to offer. It is possible to easily remove that grey outer layer by enlisting the services of teak restoration orange county.

Different tools for teak refinishing are suitable for different sizes and shapes of teak pieces. If it is a basic, flat, uninterrupted plank an orbital sander would do the job very well. If however, the teak consists of smaller pieces such as table tops, trim, grab rails, spice racks, etc. then smaller tools are required. Sometimes, the best option is to refinish by hand for smaller areas.

Teak refinishing consists of removing this grey layer with the appropriate grit sandpaper. The grit or coarseness of about sixty or eighty grit is suitable as long as the pressure is moderate. It is advisable to experiment in a small area first. Scratch marks from the sandpaper should not be gouging into the wood and leaving unattractive scratch marks.

If sanding by hand, one must sand in the direction of the grain. The amount of pressure should be monitored carefully since grooves should be avoided.

The sanding process too, can consist of wet or dry sanding. Wet sanding is helpful to avoiding dust created by the sanding process. It is important to make sure that the wood dries to see that one has reached the fresh looking raw wood. If dry sanding, it is easier to visibly ascertain how far down to sand. Whether wet or dry sanding, all dust needs to be removed with a combination of vacuuming and wiping with a tack cloth. Fine dust is not visible to the naked eye.

When wet sanding, it is important to make sure the wood is dry before applying any protective treatment. Swabbing lightly with denatured alcohol will help to extract any trapped moisture.

Wood garage door restoration is no different from the restoration of smaller pieces except for the final step. The wood can be oiled or treated with a natural or synthetic type of varnish. The garage door needs to have an ultra violet component in the product. For indoor pieces, the ultra violet rays are not such a concern.

The synthetic products will have a more lasting, protective effect whereas the natural products will not have as long a lasting power. It is advisable to read the directions on the products first to make the best choice.