Restoring old teak garden bench

[OldWood]

I'm restoring a folding garden bench that came from my grandparents and is probably 1930's vintage or earlier.

I'm well aware that I shouldn't remove the patina it has but I've had to sand it lightly all over to remove the lichen that is on it. The seat is thinnish teak strips and they've all had to be replaced.

Do I need to wash the wood with something to remove the rest of the lichen which is in cracks, etc.,(ie some of the wood still looks slightly green), or will a good quality teak wood treatment deal with that?

Thanks
Rob

 

[woodbloke]

I'm well aware that I shouldn't remove the patina it has but I've had to sand it lightly all over to remove the lichen that is on it. The seat is thinnish teak strips and they've all had to be replaced.

Do I need to wash the wood with something to remove the rest of the lichen which is in cracks, etc.,(ie some of the wood still looks slightly green), or will a good quality teak wood treatment deal with that?

Thanks
Rob

This is what I'd use:

to clean it - Rob

 

[MickCheese]

I'm with Rob.

Who wants to sit on a green dirty bench. Once it is dry then hit it with some teak oil.

Mick

 

[Harbo]

I have ordered some Osmo UV Protecion Oil from Woodfinishman - going to give it a try on my outside stuff this year.

Rod

 

[OldWood]

I'm with Rob.

Who wants to sit on a green dirty bench. Once it is dry then hit it with some teak oil.

Mick

No, the bench is now not dirty or extensively green as it has been sanded down with a multitool, but it is old and the wood has suffered correspondingly. I could sand it back to absolutely clean wood, but that then destroys all the patina and it becomes a rather tired looking new bench.

What I was looking for was someone who either does restoration regularly or has done a somewhat similar exercise on old teak furniture and has found whether it is necessary to deal with anything in the way of lichen spores, etc. that are down in the cracks and crevices in the wood.

Rob