Best Teak Sealer. Outdoor Furniture Care Guide and Information

After a great deal of research and a bit of elbow grease getting our hands dirty cleaning and refinishing outdoor teak, we have determined that the Star Brite teak sealer [Amazon Link] system is the best teak sealer for outdoor furniture. Depending on your needs and the exact target you are aiming for, you’ll need to use the Star Brite Cleaner, and probably the Brightener as well.

Read our full overview of the Star Brite teak system in the Product Reviews section below for a complete explanation of the process.

Last update on 2024-11-11 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API

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Runner Up Best Teak Sealer

Close on the heels of the Star Brite system is the Goldencare Teak Sealer [Amazon Link] system. The Goldencare works just about as well as the Star Brite system and offers a super useful chart that will guide you as to what product to use at what point to get the teak look you’re going for. The Goldencare system is a little less harsh than the Star Brite system and is also a bit more expensive. This is an excellent system made up of a cleaner, protector, and shield.

If the color chart provided by Goldencare appeals to you, go for their system, as it works very well. For a full overview, read our Product Review below.

Last update on 2024-11-12 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API

Outdoor Teak Furniture Care

Teak is one of the best materials for outdoor furniture and is a favorite of modern furniture designers, both for indoor and outdoor use. Teak has many advantages compared to other types of wood when used in outdoor applications, and is generally resistant to rot, mildew, mold, insects, and damage from the elements.

Teak secretes its own oils that help keep the finish stable and doesn’t generally require a whole lot of maintenance. However, if left untreated, outdoor teak can fade to a pretty gray… then to an ugly black. For that reason, we recommend you seal your teak to protect it!

In this article, we discuss outdoor teak care and maintenance and review the best teak sealers and oils on the market. Keep your teak the honey golden color so frequently found (and loved!), or let it fade to that luscious silver patina. But don’t let it go black!

The Basics of Teak

• Teak is a dense hardwood, typically from Southeast Asia (Indonesia, Malaysia, India, Thailand, etc.)
• Teak does not typically rot, warp, bend, or crack
• Teak secretes a natural oil resin that helps protect the wood from insect infestation and sun degradation (note: Teak is not completely insect proof)
• Teak is typically more expensive than many other types of outdoor furniture such as metal or resin wicker, due to the materials cost of high-quality teak.

Teak Oil vs. Teak Sealer

You may assume that the best way to properly care for your outdoor teak furniture is to use a Teak Oil like Watco Teak Oil [Amazon Link] or Watco Danish Oil [Amazon Link]. These are the products to use, correct? After all, it says Teak Oil in the name, so these must be the best product to use on teak.

Well, not really.

Teak oil is typically made from linseed oil or tung oil and has varnishes and other chemicals mixed in. Teak oils, tung oils, etc. can be used to great effect on indoor teak furniture, but these do not stand up to sun and weather the way teak sealers do, and may actually harm the finish of outdoor teak furniture.

Teak Secretes its Own Oil

Teak naturally secretes its own protective oils, and these natural oils will gradually turn the teak to a silver color, then toward black. By adding oils like Watco Teak Oil on top of the natural oils present in teak, the natural oils are inhibited from protecting the wood, and the wood may, in fact, dry out faster than if nothing had been applied to the furniture!

Instead, by using a teak sealer instead of an oil, you will preserve the natural oils, but stop the color progression at the point you desire.

Teak Oil Finishes

• Often lead to mold and mildew when used on outdoor teak wood
• Do not necessarily stop the graying process common to outdoor teak wood
• Any water-repellent properties of oil-based products are unnecessary on teak, as teak naturally repels water

Stick to teak sealers for outdoor furniture, and you’ll have much less work and better-looking teak furniture!

Essentials of Teak Cleaning and Maintenance

Assuming it is properly sealed and maintained, teak can be cleaned on a day-to-day basis with most household cleaners, such as Simple Green, Windex, etc. No special cleaners are required for standard messes and stains, as long as the seal is properly maintained.

Clean with a soft bristle brush, a Scotch Brite pad, or a cloth. If you go with abrasive tools like steel wool, you will likely scratch your finish and remove some of the oils.

Heavy Stain Removal

If your teak shows signs of heavy staining, from wine, liquids, grease, etc. you may need to sand the wood down a bit to penetrate the seal, and then re-seal the area. In most cases, a fine grade sandpaper will be suitable to scratch up the surface. If a fine grade doesn’t accomplish the task, take steps toward coarser grades gradually.

It is usually unwise to pressure wash teak furniture, as you will remove any sealers and all of the oils from the surface. This will dry the teak out very quickly, and degrade the finish prematurely. Pressure washing can also lead to cracks and damage.

Sanding Teak

If you want to step the wood finish back in time away from blacks and grays, and toward that original luscious honey color teak has, you’ll need to sand it. Depending on how far you want to take the wood, you’ll need to sand more or less.

Also, just for clarity, this guide is for sanding solid teak furniture, which is what virtually all outdoor teak furniture is. Should your teak furniture be laminate, be very cautious with sanding.

It is always best to clean teak before sanding so that the sanding process hits the wood evenly. Start with a medium grit sandpaper and sand with the grain of the wood as best you can. Often furniture can be difficult to sand with belt sanders because of small corners, nooks, crevasses, etc. You’ll probably have to hit these areas by hand.

Once you have the proper color, wipe down the furniture with a damp cloth and let dry. Sand again with a finer grade sandpaper to prep the surface for sealing.

How Often Should Teak Be Resealed?

Typically teak that is placed outdoors, but covered when not in use, will need to be deep cleaned and resealed once each year. Depending on your environment, the amount of sun the teak gets, etc., you may want to perform the sealing process more frequently than yearly, but at a minimum, you should plan on sealing the teak every year.

With a little elbow grease and a nice teak sealer, you can bring teak back from shabby to chic in no time!

How to Seal Teak

Most sealers have a two or three step process that takes place to protect the teak.

Cleaning – Teak Cleaner

Typically the first step is to completely clean the teak in order to get any mildew, residues, or stains off, and to get as clean a surface as possible to apply the sealer.

Sealing- Teak Wood Sealer

The next step is to apply the sealer compound to all of the wood on the furniture pieces. Typically this is done with a cloth to spread on the sealer, and then to remove any excess. After that is done, usually the teak is left to dry in the sun for a time.

Protecting – Teak Wood Protector

Lastly, some systems have a third protectant stage that helps keep the finish of the teak preserved for as long as possible.

Sealing New Furniture

If you are sealing new furniture, it is best to let the furniture age in the sun for 2-4 weeks before applying the cleaner and sealer. This allows the teak to acclimate to the sunshine, and to release enough oils to get the surface prepped.

The Best Teak Sealers: Product Reviews

Here we will look at three different systems by three different companies, and compare and contrast these systems. All three of these systems are very good quality, and any of them will restore beaten up teak to a beautiful tone, but we marginally prefer the systems in the order presented.

1. StarBrite Teak Sealer System

The StarBrite Teak Sealer System has two or three components, depending on what you want to do: a cleaner, an optional brightener, and a sealer.

Star Brite Teak Cleaner (Multiple Sizes Available)

The Star Brite Teak Cleaner is a single step cleaner that restores the natural color to teak and other hardwoods. It is applied directly to the wood and scrubbed in with a medium-bristle brush or medium grit scrub pad to get the cleaner to penetrate the wood.

Leave the cleaner on the wood for 2-3 minutes, and then scrub in the direction of the wood grain to complete the cleaning process. After that, all you need to do is rinse with water to remove the cleaner, and you’re done the cleaning process.

This water-based cleaner should be used with gloves and preferably eye protection, as it’s pretty nasty stuff. The next step is to either use the Teak Brightener or skip straight to the Teak Sealer.

The Bottom Line

The Star Brite Teak Cleaner is a very good teak cleaning product, and with a little work, will restore your teak to its lustrous original appearance. It likely needs to be used in conjunction with the other steps in the Star Brite system for complete protection, as explained here.

As an accessory, Star Brite sells a “Magic Scrub Pad” [Amazon Link] for use with this, but it is unnecessary, and any medium-bristle brush will accomplish the same thing.

Last update on 2024-11-17 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API

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Star Brite Teak Brightener

The Start Brite Teak Brightener is an optional second step that helps to clean the wood, and to heighten the wood grain to accent the beauty of the natural teak. It is used as a second step in the restoration of teak that has gone gray, and may not be needed if the teak isn’t in terrible shape.

Use of the Teak Brightener is a simple process and is quite similar to the Star Brite Teak Cleaner: use a cloth or soft brush to lay down the Teak Brightener. Wait 5 minutes for it to soak into the wood, then rinse thoroughly with water. No need to scrub or work the Teak Brightener to get it to achieve the look.

Be sure to quickly clean up any spills of the Teak Brightener, as it can stain fabrics, fiberglass, and other surfaces.

The Teak Brightener is pretty heavy duty stuff, and Star Brite recommends wearing rubber gloves while working with it.

The Bottom Line

The Teak Brightener can be a big help if your teak is already very gray, or black. But it may not be needed if your teak is in good condition, and it’s not too far gone. It’s always helpful to have this stuff on hand if you have teak outdoor furniture, regardless.

You’ll have to decide after you use the Teak Cleaner whether or not you need the Brightener to work its magic.

Last update on 2024-11-16 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API

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Star Brite Teak Sealer (32 Oz)

The Star Brite Teak Sealer is the final step in the Star Brite teak care process, and this is where the magic happens. This sealer only requires one coat to finish the teak and creates a protective layer that seals in the natural oils in the teak, while protecting it from oils, foods, water, etc. The Teak Oil Sealer also provides UV protection to the teak and leaves the wood a warm golden color of classic teak when all is done.

You should wear gloves when working with the teak sealer, and be careful not to spill it onto adjacent surfaces, as it can stain and ruin them.

Make sure that the teak dries in the sun for at least a few hours to ensure complete coverage. You can choose to do a second coat, but it is not required. After drying in the sun for a few hours, the vast majority of the tackiness of the teak sealer should be gone. The furniture should be usable in 24 hours, and fully dry after a few days, with a beautiful lustrous finish and perhaps a slight orange-y tint.

You won’t need to do much to your teak other than regular cleaning for about another year!

The Bottom Line

The Star Brite Teak Oil is outstanding at preserving and sealing outdoor teak furniture and is the best teak sealer on the market. As the final part of the Star Brite system, it is the step where the teak gets to look its best.

The Star Brite system is very popular among boaters, due to the durability it provides to teak in a marine environment. If it works well in very wet places, it will work even better on patio furniture!

Last update on 2024-11-11 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API

2. Goldencare Teak Sealer System

The Goldencare Teak system is a three-part system made up of a cleaner, a sealer, and a protector. This system is pretty easy to use and is capable of producing excellent results.

Goldencare created this handy chart to show the color modulation of teak over time, and how to achieve the color patina you seek.

Depending on if your teak is new or old, and where you want to stop the color, you can use the combination of products recommended by Goldencare to get the perfect color for your needs.

Now let us cover the three steps in depth.

Goldencare Teak Cleaner (1 Liter)

The first step in the Goldencare Teak process is to clean the teak thoroughly using the Goldencare Teak Cleaner. One bottle contains enough cleaner to clean about 6-10 patio chairs.

The Goldencare teak cleaner cleans and brightens in only one step, which is helpful and saves quite a bit of time compared to competing products that have a two-step process. The cleaner is water based and is not as harsh as some of the competitors. You should still wear gloves when working with this stuff, though.

The scrubbing pad shown is also included, so you know you’re using the right abrasion level for the cleaner to work properly. This cleaner will remove typical dirt and grime, but not oils and stains that have penetrated into the wood. If your stains have reached that point, you’ll need to sand and re-finish.

The Bottom Line

The Goldencare Teak Cleaner is a quick one-step cleaner that does a decent job of getting the grime off of your teak. You’ll still need to do a lot of work and to wear gloves, but this stuff isn’t as nasty as some of the competitors’ products.

It’s exciting to see the Goldencare Teak Cleaner remove the gunk from your teak, and get you closer to restoring that lustrous finish.

Last update on 2024-11-17 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API

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Goldencare Teak Protector (1 Liter)

The Goldencare Teak Protector is generally step two of the Goldencare teak process (depending on the finish you are attempting to achieve). This water-based teak protector has a light honey color, though it essentially keeps your teak its original natural color. The Protector seals and protects the wood from UV exposure and water penetration.

Like the Goldencare Cleaner, the Protector is water based and relatively eco-friendly. This stuff is not particularly hazardous, though we still recommend wearing gloves when working with the Teak Protector.

Depending on your goal color, and if your furniture is new, you’ll want to do two coats of the Teak Protector. Plan on using twice as much of the Protector as you used of the Cleaner when gauging for quantity. If you’re restoring a previous finish, or just doing a touch-up, one coat will suffice.

If you keep up on the Protector and don’t let the finish degrade, you can skip using the Cleaner and just use the Protector again and again, and you’ll keep your finish looking perfect.

The Bottom Line

The Goldencare Teak Protector works well at sealing your teak and giving it a light honey tint that will look great for months to come. You may be able to stop after application of the Teak Protector, depending on your needs.

This solution does not provide stain resistance, though, and you may want to apply the Teak Shield to finish the process, again, depending on your target color.

Last update on 2024-11-12 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API

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Goldencare Teak Shield (1 Liter)

The final Goldencare product is the Teak Shield. The primary purpose of the Teak Shield is to protect the teak from staining, especially from food stains. The Teak Shield is specially formulated to prevent stains like butter, oil, grease, wine, and other food stains from penetrating into the Teak Protector layer and causing difficult-to-remove stains.

This product does not change the color of the teak and is especially important to use on furniture pieces like dining tables, and perhaps dining chair arms.

If you’re unlikely to get butter stains on your chaise lounge, you probably don’t need this shield, but if you’re concerned, then it certainly can’t hurt to put the shield on all your teak furniture!

The Bottom Line

The Goldencare Teak Shield protects your teak furniture against food and drink stains and helps keep the finish in the shade you desire. This can be particularly helpful if you have children, or have lots of parties.

Apply one to two coats of this stuff on your furniture after the Teak Protector has been completed, and your furniture will be ready for use in no time!

Last update on 2024-11-12 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API

3. Semco Teak Sealer System

The Semco teak sealer system is one of the most popular teak sealer systems available. Semco makes a sealer in four different shades that allow you to target the teak to the right color for your tastes and decor. These colors are shown below, though it is always difficult to get an exactly accurate sense of what the colors will look like on different pieces of wood.

Name	Color
Clear
Gold
Honey
Natural

The Semco Teak system has two steps: the two-part teak Cleaner, and the Teak Sealer.

Semco Two-Part Teak Cleaner (Two Quart Bottles)

The Semco teak cleaner system is a two-part cleaner. The two parts are broken down into:

Part 1.

• Dissolves stains and dirt
• Removes old oils and sealers

Part 2.

• Brightens teak surface
• Removes Semco Cleaner Part 1
• Prepares teak surface for new sealer

The Semco teak cleaner system is a pretty harsh set of chemicals, and when you work with these, you should plan on using gloves and perhaps eye protection if you’re prone to splashing things around!

The Semco two part teak cleaning system will remove the old finish, restore any graying areas, and will even remove any fish blood present (especially helpful for those with boats, or those who really like their sashimi extra raw).

The Bottom Line

By using the Semco two part teak cleaner system, you’ll have your teak restored, reset, and ready for sealing. This stuff works very well and will cut through the existing finish on your teak, and get you in position to finish.

The two coat process that Semco requires is a bit of a pain, though, and the competitors accomplish the cleaning process in only one step.

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Semco Teak Sealer (Quart)

Once you have your surface prepared, it’s time to re-seal your teak furniture. The Semco Teak Sealer comes in four color options, as shown above, and depending on your target color, any of these finishes will look great on your outdoor teak furniture.

If you want the most traditional look, stick with the clear, as this finish has no dyes or colorants added. The clear will give you the most natural teak color of any, though it is not as weather resistant as the colored sealers. The colored sealers are quite attractive, and warm the tones up in different ways, depending on the color tint chosen.

The Semco teak sealer is a water-based sealer. It will provide long lasting UV protection, help repel water, and keep the finish looking as beautiful as possible for as long as possible.

The Bottom Line

The Semco Teak Sealer goes on pretty easily and forms a beautiful finish that will make your teak furniture or outdoor woodwork look fantastic for several months.

This Semco sealer system is excellent and will do a great job of making your teak shine brightly.

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