If you have teak wood lying around and you are wondering how to paint it, you are in the right place. Some people are against painting teak furniture as it can hide its natural beauty but, you can definitely paint teak wood. Whether it is to match your decor or you just want to experiment with one of your pieces of teak furniture, painting teak wood is possible.
Teak wood has natural oils so painting teak wood is not as straightforward as getting paint and applying a coat or two to the wood. To paint teak wood, you first need to wash it to get rid of any dirt or excess oil. You will also need to apply a primer before painting the wood. Sealing the wood after painting will give it extra protection from harsh weather conditions.
If this is your first time painting teak wood, this article will give you a step-by-step guide on how to paint teak wood. We will be talking about what primer and paint to use to make sure that the end result is successful. We will also be giving a couple of tips to help you paint teak wood, so make sure to read until the end.
Teak Wood Properties
Teak’s properties make it a suitable material for a lot of exterior wood constructions. Teak wood is one of the popular hardwoods used by woodworkers to build pieces of outdoor furniture. Aside from furniture, teak is also used in boat building, decking, frames, and other wood projects.
Teak wood is durable and it has natural oils that make it weather-resistant. It is also highly resistant to water, rotting, warping, and cracking.
Teak outdoor furniture can be left outdoors and will last for a long time even when not maintained regularly. However, it is best to care for your outdoor teak furniture to keep it well-preserved.
Teak wood has a beautiful golden honey color but, as teak wood ages, it develops a silvery-grey patina. Teak wood also needs to be refinished if you want to maintain its original coloring.
Can You Paint Teak Wood?
Yes, you can. However, people who love the natural look of wood would probably tell you that you can’t and should not paint teak wood.
While you can definitely paint teak wood, it is not recommended to do so. Painting teak wood will hide its natural coloring. Painting teak wood can also cause it to peel or crack. Teak’s natural oils can also cause the paint to bleed through the surface and may cause paint adhesion problems.
But, as we said earlier, it is possible to paint teak wood. There are several things you need to do before you can go around painting your teak wood furniture.
How To Paint Teak Wood
Teak wood has a warm honey coloring but sometimes, you just want to paint teak furniture in another color. It may be to match your decor or you want to modernize the furniture by painting it.
Painting teak wood can be a simple process, but you need to be patient as you can’t just pick a color and start painting the teak wood. There are several steps you need to follow. You will also need the proper materials for painting teak wood.
Here are the materials you need:
– Trisodium Phosphate (TSP)
– Warm water
– 120 and 220-grit sandpaper
– Painter’s tape
– Paint (suitable for wood surfaces)
– Brushes or rollers
– Wood finish
– Stain-blocking primer
– Epoxy wood filler
– Rubber gloves
– Protective goggles
– Sponge
– Paint tray
– Drop cloth
– Mineral spirits
Once you have gathered the necessary materials, follow this step-by-step guide on how to paint teak wood furniture:
Step 1: Wash The Teak Wood
Whether you are going to be painting outdoor or indoor teak furniture, you need to wash it first. This gets rid of any excess oil, dirt, or mold on the teak wood’s surface. Not washing the teak wood thoroughly can cause paint adhesion problems.
To wash the wood, you need 1/2 to 1 cup of trisodium phosphate and mix it in a gallon of warm water. Make sure to wear rubber gloves and protective eyewear for this as you are handling a chemical solution.
You can use a non-abrasive sponge to scrub the wood to rid it of any dirt, oil, and mold. Once the wood is clean, rinse it with clean water and let it air dry.
Step 2: Fill Holes And Sand The Surface
Once the wood is completely dry, fill any holes, cracks, or gouges with an epoxy wood filler. An epoxy wood filler typically comes with a hardener.
Mix the filler and hardener together and spread them to any cracks or holes using a plastic spreader or putty knife. Make sure to apply the wood filler immediately as it can dry quickly making it harder to spread.
Once you’ve applied the wood filler on the holes, let it dry completely. After the wood filler has dried, you can sand the wood with 120-grit sandpaper to smoothen the surface.
Finish the sanding process by using 220-grit sandpaper to make sure that the primer and paint stick to the wood. After you’ve finished sanding the wood, remove any dust or debris that has accumulated during the sanding process.
Step 3: Apply A Stain-Blocking Primer
Once the wood is sanded and cleaned, apply a stain-blocking primer to the surface. This is to prevent the natural oils in the teak to bleed through the coating of the paint. Make sure to use a shellac or lacquer-based product to seal the wood’s surface.
To apply the primer, use a bristle brush and coat the teak wood with the primer. Make sure not to go against the grain when applying the primer. Let the primer dry for a couple of hours or overnight.
After a couple of hours, check and see if the teak’s oil has bled through the primer or if any air bubbles have formed. Sand the wood’s surface again if there are any air bubbles or if the oil has bled through. Dust off any debris then apply another coat of primer.
It is advisable to wait a week after you have applied the primer before painting the teak wood. This is to ensure that the wood’s oil does not completely bleed through the primer.
Step 4: Paint The Wood And Apply A Sealer
Once you are sure that the natural oils did not bleed through the primer, it is time to paint the teak wood. You can use oil-based or latex exterior timber paint to paint the wood.
Use a synthetic bristle brush if you are going to use latex paint and a natural bristle brush for oil-based paint. You can also use a spray gun if you are painting several pieces of teak furniture.
Apply at least two coats of paint to make sure that the paint won’t crack. Make sure to let the paint completely dry before applying a second coat.
Use painter’s tape to section off any areas you do not want to paint. You can also use a drop cloth to prevent the paint from staining your floor. Once the paint is completely dry, make sure to seal the painted teak wood with a coat of clear polyurethane. This topcoat gives the wood extra protection from various weather conditions.
Helpful Tips When Painting Teak Wood
Painting teak wood can be intimidating, especially if it is your first time doing it. Here are some helpful tips to help you paint teak wood successfully.
Choose The Right Paint
Make sure to choose a paint that is specifically formulated for wood use. Choosing the right paint will make sure that the paint will adhere to the wood’s surface. Oil-based paint is typically used as it is durable while latex paint can keep the wood from having a yellow coloring as it ages.
Consider The Weather
Before painting teak wood, make sure to plan ahead and do the job when the weather is sunny and warm. Painting wood on a rainy day can cause the paint to be washed away, especially if you are painting teak garden furniture.
Let The Wood Dry Completely
Applying a second coating of primer or paint while the first coating is still wet will cause the paint to peel or clump when dry. Make sure that everything is dry before applying primer or paint.
Regular Maintenance
If you want to keep the paint on your teak wood, make sure to maintain and care for it regularly. Keep your teak furniture clean and repaint it at least every year or as required. Paint on teak furniture can peel off even if it is sealed with a top coat. Repainting teak wood at least once a year will keep it looking fresh and new.
Conclusion
If you want to paint your teak wood, we say go for it! If you don’t mind hiding the teak’s natural coloring, it is definitely possible to paint teak wood even if some people say otherwise.
You just need to make sure to clean and prime the wood before painting it. Sealing the paint will also keep it from cracking.
This article has a step-by-step guide to help you paint your teak wood. What color are you planning on painting your teak wood with? Let us know! If you have any other questions, don’t hesitate to reach out to us!
