GRADE-A TEAK WOOD
POINT uses grade-A Asian teak wood sourced from carefully managed sustainable forests. Teak is considered the most premium wood on Earth and, therefore, the most suitable for outdoor furniture. It is extremely hard-wearing, stable, waterproof and weather-resistant. This is due to its high level of natural oils, resulting in minimal moisture absorption and great stability. This wood is also highly resistant to fungi and attacks by parasites and insects.

Teak expands and contracts with changes in climate. Shrinking of the wood can result in hairline cracks in the assembly joints or the grain of the wood itself. This does not affect the structural integrity of the frame’s construction.

At POINT we do not apply any “finish” to our teak. All our teak is untreated and has a natural finish.
Over time, teak furniture that is exposed to sun, rain, humidity, etc. can turn a silver-grey colour. This is due to a process of surface oxidation that naturally protects the wood and gives it a silver-grey hue. This process is merely aesthetic and does not affect the strength or quality of the wood.

Depending on the environmental conditions, this natural greying or weathering may be noticed after a few weeks. In drier climates, it will take several months for the teak to be affected.

The appearance of oil on the surface of teak furniture is normal. It is the natural oils in teak that make it the best wood for outdoor furniture. In fact, a high oil content is an indicator of high-quality wood. Without these oils, the wood would not survive the extreme temperatures and humidity to which outdoor furniture is normally exposed.

The oils and pigments in the surface layer of the teak will gradually begin to wash away the first few times it is exposed to rain. This is a perfectly natural process and it can secrete oil for the first 2 - 3 months, depending on where the furniture is placed.

Do not place new teak furniture on light coloured porous stone patio surfaces until the oil secretion process has decreased somewhat. Similarly, avoid leaving cushions covered with light coloured fabrics on or near teak furniture during this process: fabric stained with natural teak oil can be cleaned with neutral soap and water. The amount of oil that comes out of the teak will be greater during the first few months and, therefore, it is more likely to stain surfaces and fabrics. This is a natural process that cannot be foreseen.

Wasps can occasionally attack the teak surface to make their nests, usually in the spring and early summer. There is no way to prevent this from happening, other than by removing their nests and scaring the wasps away. 

Despite being an excellent material for outdoor furniture, its treatment and maintenance are essential to preserve its beauty.

MAINTENANCE AND CLEANING

If you want to keep the natural silver colour, POINT recommends using the TEAK CLEANER to clean and polish the wood.

To keep the teak looking like it did when it was new, first use the TEAK CLEANER to clean and polish and to restore the colour, then apply EcoSafe TEAK PROTECTOR to maintain and preserve its golden brown colour for longer. This is not an oil; it is a water-based, solvent-free product. Neither of the two products affects the strength and longevity of the furniture, only its appearance.

Because teak is a naturally oily wood, it should not be painted or varnished. Any paint or varnish applied will not adhere properly to the surface and will soon begin to peel. We do not recommend using any wood oil on teak. Teak is already a naturally “oily” wood and the addition of more oil does not confer any additional protection. If oil is added, mould will begin to build up in the surface layers and the teak will gradually turn black, which can only be removed by aggressive sanding.


WEATHERED TEAK
POINT offers two types of finish on its teak woods. One is untreated and completely natural, where the material takes on a beautiful grey patina as it ages. The other is weathered, where the wood undergoes a sustainable ageing process that consists of eroding the grain of the wood by repeatedly brushing it by hand to give the grain a more rustic texture. Then an ecological waterbased treatment is applied to achieve this characteristic weathered look that teak takes on when exposed to the elements.
This weathered wood treatment gradually fades with exposure to the elements, leaving the natural teak exposed so that it takes on the characteristic grey tone.
The rate at which the finish ages varies according to climate, exposure, and care and maintenance. The ageing process can be accelerated voluntarily by simply leaving the furniture untreated or uncovered.

MAINTENANCE AND CLEANING
For regular maintenance, it is recommended that you simply wipe using a cloth that has been dampened with water and mild soap.
                                
TEAK CLEANER
Directions for use:
1. Before using the TEAK CLEANER, put on eye protection and rubber gloves. Before you start, protect the surface where you are going to work.
2. First wet the furniture with water.
3. Shake the TEAK CLEANER before use.
4. Apply the TEAK CLEANER with a soft cloth or a sponge. Allow to penetrate for 3 minutes.
5. Use a scouring pad to clean the furniture, brushing it in the direction of the wood’s grain.
6. Wash the furniture thoroughly with water.
7. For long-lasting colour, let the furniture dry and treat it with the TEAK PROTECTOR.

TEAK PROTECTOR
Why is it so much better than TEAK OIL SEALER:
1. It maintains the light-brown colour of teak for a longer time: 
• Up to 4 times longer than teak oil. 
• Up to twice as long as teak sealers.
2. Itis environment-friendly because it is 100% water-based; no toxic fumes; non flammable; EcoSafe.
3. It is fast and easy to apply.
4. Itis not an oil, it is not greasy: clothes stay clean.
5. It is resistant to mould and prevents black spots on the teak.

Instructions for use:
1. Before using the TEAK PROTECTOR, put on eye protection and rubber gloves. Before you start, protect the surface where you are going to work.
2. Grey teak or teak treated with teak oil must first be cleaned with TEAK CLEANER.
3. In the case of new teak, first clean it with our TEAK CLEANER to remove some of the natural teak oils (or weather for 2 weeks outside before treatment).
4. If cleaned wood feels rough, sand it lightly before treating it with the Protector. Make sure the teak is  completely dry and free from dust.
5. Shake and stir the TEAK PROTECTOR for at least a minute before use. Insufficient shaking can lead to uneven weathering.
6. We suggest you try the TEAK PROTECTOR on a small area first (e.g. the back of a leg) to ensure that the colour meets your expectations.
7. Apply a very thin layer of TEAK PROTECTOR evenly over the furniture with a dust-free cloth. Apply a second very thin coat after leaving to dry for 30 minutes.
8. We recommend that you treat your furniture with TEAK PROTECTOR at least once a year.