Wood Introduction and Maintenance & Care Guide

 

General Wood Care Maintenance

Wood is a natural material, and is subject to slight checking, cracking and movement. Unfortunately due to the nature of wood as a material it expands and contracts with moisture content and temperature. ABM wholesale Indonesia and its vendors take extensive measures to help avoid wood movement (kiln drying the wood to a standard 15% moisture rate, allowing time for wood to properly acclimate).

Monthly maintenance (such as tung oil, danish oil, or your choice of clear coat), and minimal stress on the item, are all measures that can be taken to prolong the life of your item and to keep cracking/checking/or slight warping from occurring.

Extra measures If you live on the coast or around saltwater can be taken to maximise the life of your table such as regular wiping of the top and underside.

ABM wholesale Indonesia recommends the following brands for conditioning your wood table (hard or soft wood): Howard Brand Feed n' Wax, Minwax danish oil, Minwax wipe on polyurethane, lemon oil, any wood conditioner, or a tung oil of your choice. Please wipe weekly or at least a few times a month for the first couple of months and more frequently during the dry winter months until the wood acclimates.  This can take up to 1 year of being in the homeowners possession.

 

ABM wholesale Indonesia Favored Woods:

#1 Teak

Characteristics

The Tree: Teak is not a very fast growing, and on favorable sites may reach 130 to 150 feet in height with clear boles to 80 to 90 feet. The trunks are cylindrical to fluted and may reach 3 to 5 feet in diameter.

The Wood: Teak is a beautiful golden to dark brown, sometimes reddish brown, with a straight grain, sometimes wavy. Teak is rich natural oils, is easily worked, and dresses to a very smooth finish. Because of its natural oils, teak is very durable and resistant to moisture and the drying effects of exposure to weather. Teak is unique in that it does not cause rust or corrosion when in contact with metal.

Teak wood has a leather-like smell when it is freshly milled. It is particularly valued for its durability and water resistance, and is used for boat building, exterior construction, veneer, furniture, carving, turnings, and other small wood projects.

 Maintenance & Cleaning

Teak, if left outdoors and untreated, will fade from its rich brown hue to a silver grayish tone.  If you wish to retain teak’s golden tones, you must apply Tung oil to help keep its’ vibrant look.  Regardless of which look you choose, teak is a durable and  high-quality wood choice for outdoor furniture and accents.

Here are two simple cleaning solutions:

#1: Mix 1 cup each of chlorine bleach and laundry detergent with 1 gallon of warm water

#2: Mix 1 cup of vinegar with 1 gallon of warm water

To begin, clear a space to clean your furniture. For most outdoor furniture this shouldn't be a problem, for indoor teak furniture make sure to use a drop cloth and clean in a well ventilated space.  Apply your cleaning mixture to the teak item using a soft plastic brush and scrub into the wood as you apply.  Allow the mixture to sit for about 15 minutes.  Rinse thoroughly with clean water.  This cleaning method may not work for teak furniture that has been left outside to the elements for a long period of time. You may find that a more aggressive store bought solution is needed.

 

#1 Sawo

#1 Coconut

#1 Sono

 

 

Sources:     Teak     how-to-clean-and-care-for-teak-furniture