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I have an interesting challenge.
A couple has asked me about a teak table, finished with Danish oil and wax, which is brown with chocolate streaks. They would like to lighten the table considerably. An experiment with two-part bleach on raw teak did not lighten the dark streaks much, but turned the lighter parts a sickly yellow-green. On consideration, my bleach may be bad, as it didn’t bubble much.
Any advice on lightening teak, if it is possible, if it looks good, and if not, what else might lighten the table?
Much thanks
Strother Purdy
[email protected]
Replies
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Sounds like the teak is dirty. Go to a marine supply store and purchase a "teak cleaner". Most will have oxalic acid as their base. Apply it per the container instructions and brush it in with a stiff nylon or brass bristled brush.
Two part bleach is used on wood to take the color out of wood. It doesn't clean the surface.
You may also have to sand or scrape the surface before you re-apply a new coating.
*Thanks for the reply, but the table can't be dirty, as it's brand new. The chocolate streaks are inherent in the grain. I'll still try oxalic acid approach on some test boards,ThanksSP
*Sand to fresh wood first, I think that you've got to get past the depth to which the oil penetrated before the bleach will do any good. Until you do this, you can't be sure how much the existing finish is competing with the bleach.Somewhere along the line I have seen wood presented as 'bleached teak'. I did not personally care much for it, but that's a matter of personal taste. I remember that it reminded me some of Walnut sapwood -alright in small doses for contrast, but underwhelming when looking at several linear feet of it on an article of furniture.
*In other words... I don't think it's too Purdy (think Jed Clampett). Sorry, I couldn't resist.
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