Restore Weathered Teak

Sun and rain weather the surface of bare teak to silver. Only the outer layer changes color, which is why a cleaner and light sanding bring the honey tone back. Left dirty for long, the silver can turn dark gray or greenish, Anderson notes.

1. Clean. Use a teak cleaner for gray or black teak. The Star brite one step cleaner goes on dry wood: spread it with a stiff brush, wait 2 to 3 minutes, scrub with the grain.
2. Rinse. Rinse well on a soft spray and let the wood dry fully.
3. Sand if rough. By hand, with the grain: 220 grit per Country Casual, 320 per Kingsley Bate. No power sander.
4. Seal. One even coat of teak sealer on the clean, dry wood. See teak oil vs sealer.

Wear gloves and eye protection. The safety sheet for the Star brite cleaner lists oxalic acid and glycolic acid, 5 to 10 percent each, and warns of serious eye damage.

Sanding is for rough grain, scratches and stains, not for every refresh. Kingsley Bate hand sands with 320 grit along the grain and never with a power sander. A two part cleaner, cleaner then brightener, takes weathered teak back to a light blond, per Country Casual. Before any stain, Anderson says gray teak must be sanded, and stain is hard to undo.

Sources Anderson Teak care and maintenance, Anderson Teak FAQ, Kingsley Bate FAQ, Kingsley Bate teak care guide, Country Casual, how to care for outdoor teak, Country Casual FAQ, Star brite Teak Cleaner and Brightener, Star brite cleaner safety data sheet, Barlow Tyrie warranty. Checked October 5, 2026.