Teak Oil was formulated for use on Teak, which is notoriously hard to finish well. Although there is very little Teak in New Zealand, there is a great deal of a similar wood – Rimu. Teak Oil also gives a great result on other common woods such as Kwila and Kauri.
For most purposes, Teak Oil can be treated exactly the same as Danish Oil, except that the final finish is a high gloss. Apply at least two thin coats of Teak Oil. The more coats you use, the better the final gloss will be. Briwax Teak Oil is often used on outdoor furniture.
There are many copies of Teak Oil, and many alternative oil-based finishes including the traditional linseed and tung oil based products. However, most of these products are 'wet' oils – they never harden completely. This can leave them prone to collecting dirt. Briwax Teak Oil is a hardening oil. Once dry, it is durable and waterproof.
As with any clear finish, oils do not give complete protection from the harsh rays of the New Zealand sun. For outdoor furniture use a Briwax Spirit-based Dye first to give colour and protection, and a couple of coats of Teak Oil over the top.
