Cleaning Weathered Teak

[Nyboy]

About 8 years ago I did a client a favor, they thanked me with a new garden bench. The bench has a brass tag saying made from teak. I wanted the weathered look, so never put any type of protective coating on it. Now the bench is looking a little to weathered, it has moss and lichens growing on it, no body wants to sit on it. Do I sand it down or use some chemical like bleach ? There is another brass tag calling me a angel I would like to remove, but fear wood under would be totally different color. It s right in middle of beach so would stand out like score thumb.

 

[Nyboy]

 

[seedcorn]

Aww, you little angel you.....

Sorry, I have no answer to your question. Just wanted to harass you.....

 

[Nyboy]

Anytime seed !!!

 

[Nyboy]

My mother used to call me her angel with horns.

 

[so lucky]

How about using a power washer?

 

[ninnymary]

I would try sanding it first and then cleaning it with a mild solution of bleach. I don't think I would power wash it. That is really powerful and you have to be very careful that you won't gouche the wood. Remove the angel tag if it really bothers you. In time that new wood look will fade. Once your bench is all cleaned up you will either have to move it to a sunny place or stain it.

Mary

 

[Sam BigDeer]

There are a couple of woodworking magazines that I would recommend that you research before you take any action... 'WOODSMITH' for one and 'WOOD' is the other; they both have web sites that you can google up..
In my opinion, the bench made of teak is too valuable to take chances with unknown/experimental methods of cleaning...
Sam

 

[Smart Red]

My wooden benches are made of cedar rather than teak. I believe teak is a stronger wood. Last spring my son power washed the benches. They turned out looking nearly new. I added a wood preservative to protect the benches for the next 10 years.

@Nyboy, your benches look much the same if not better than mine did. Of course mine were made for me so they look much nicer. They also know there will be no angels sitting there so we've never left a space. Wait a minute and I'll take a photo.

 

[Smart Red]

Huh-huh, huh-huh. huh-huh! Just got back with the photos.
Here's one. It doesn't look all that bad except that the wood is oak rather than outside wood. Mine is in the sunroom as looks good as new.

Here is closer to what my benches looked like. This was made with cedar as well. Needs a good cleaning!

Ya think I could'a posed the photo a bit better and gotten rid of the first "not my cat" dishes.

Here is the bigger of the two swinging benches DS made for me. This and the deck itself were getting to look more like the kids' bench before we power washed everything and I applied a wood preservative. This is the beginning of year two.

I vote (if I get a vote) you carefully power-wash the bench and treat it with a water sealer.