I renovated (rebuilt from pretty much scratch) our garden bench two
years ago and it turned out well with really rich colouring in the
Sapele slats.

Sunlight, rain and overwintering have turned the wood grey on the
exposed surfaces but left the back of it that was against a wall, and
the under-surface of the seat, still a good colour.

So how do I get the colour back? A quick wipe over with the same Teak
Oil as I used last year isn't bringing it back.

--
Frank

On Tue, 30 Mar 2021 23:44:30 +0100, F news@nowhere wrote:

Sunlight, rain and overwintering have turned the wood grey on the
exposed surfaces but left the back of it that was against a wall, and
the under-surface of the seat, still a good colour.

So how do I get the colour back? A quick wipe over with the same Teak
Oil as I used last year isn't bringing it back.

- leave it be?

- remove the grey mechanically (sanding, cabinet scraper, broken glass, ...)

- oxalic acid. Beware the cautions, please.


Thomas Prufer

On 31/03/2021 11:02, Thomas Prufer wrote:
On Tue, 30 Mar 2021 23:44:30 +0100, F news@nowhere wrote:

Sunlight, rain and overwintering have turned the wood grey on the
exposed surfaces but left the back of it that was against a wall, and
the under-surface of the seat, still a good colour.

So how do I get the colour back? A quick wipe over with the same Teak
Oil as I used last year isn't bringing it back.

- leave it be?

- remove the grey mechanically (sanding, cabinet scraper, broken glass, ...)

- oxalic acid. Beware the cautions, please.

Thanks. Will oxalic acid cut through any remaining teak oil?

--
Frank

On Fri, 2 Apr 2021 18:21:16 +0100, F news@nowhere wrote:

Thanks. Will oxalic acid cut through any remaining teak oil?

I doubt it will. But if it's grey, it's dry...

You will likely need to sand the wood after oxylic acid and water anyway, as I'd
expect the wood to go a bit fuzzy.


Thomas Prufer

On Tuesday, April 6, 2021 at 8:49:51 AM UTC+1, Thomas Prufer wrote:
On Fri, 2 Apr 2021 18:21:16 +0100, F news@nowhere wrote:

Thanks. Will oxalic acid cut through any remaining teak oil?
I doubt it will. But if it's grey, it's dry...

You will likely need to sand the wood after oxylic acid and water anyway, as I'd
expect the wood to go a bit fuzzy.


Thomas Prufer
I'd be inclined to sand it back. I wouldn't like to be depending on teak oil as that is not a defined product so one manufacturers formulation could be well different to another. I use Osmo ( https://osmouk.com/ )and give the garden furniture a quick lick every year . Osmo is expensive but worth it IME. Its available in different colours.