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MAINTAINING TEAK
The Weathering Process
Your new teak furniture will appear polished when first assembled due to naturally occuring oils in the wood. Though the oil on the surface will evaporate after a few days outdoors - it�s the oil below the surface that gives teak its durability. So durable in fact that teak furniture requires little, if any, maintenance and can be left outdoors year-round to weather naturally. While the rate of weathering varies depending on climate, moisture and exposure to sun (the weathering process will occur faster in moist climates and slower in dry climates), your furniture will eventually acquire a beautiful silver-grey patina as the surface pigments begin to fade. During the weathering process you may notice �checking� or small cracks that appear in the wood. This is perfectly natural, as wood expands and contracts slightly when left outdoors. Checking is cosmetic only and in no way affects the structural integrity of the furniture. A lifting of the grain may occur on the top edges of the arms and legs as well, but will return to its original smooth finish after the initial weathering process. To aid this process, simply clean the furniture with a soft bristle brush or sponge as indicated below. Water spots or other discoloration may also occur during the weathering process, but these will even out with time.
Cleaning
The only maintenance necessary for your furniture is periodic cleaning. First, hose down the furniture with fresh water. Avoid spraying the teak with a high pressure hose, as high pressure can erode the surface of the timber. Next, scrub the wet furniture using a soft bristle brush and a solution of 2/3 cup laundry detergent and 1/4 cup bleach in 1 gallon of warm water. When finished, rinse the entire piece with fresh water to remove any remaining cleaning solution. For more difficult stains like grease and red wine, we recommend using Kingsley-Bate Teak Cleaner. This will remove the silver-gray patina and restore the furniture�s original color.
Teak Cleaner and Sealer
If you prefer to keep your furniture the original golden color, we recommend using Kingsley-Bate Teak Protector. This is for purely cosmetic purposes. This product will maintain the golden color for a season and can be reapplied as needed. You should wait two weeks before applying the protector to newly assembled furniture. We suggest that you try it on a small area of your furniture first, such as the back of a leg or the underside of a chair. We will not be responsible if you apply the product to your furniture and are not satisfied, or if instructions on the label are not properly followed. If the furniture has weathered and you wish to remove the silver-gray patina, we recommend using Kingsley-Bate Teak Cleaner. The cleaner will restore the furniture to a natural golden color regardless of how long the piece has been outside. This product requires no heavy scrubbing or polishing and takes approximately thirty minutes per piece to apply. DO NOT USE OIL on teak furniture that is used outdoors. Oiling outdoor teak may cause mildew or irregular coloring.
Cushions and Umbrella Covers
Before placing a cushion or umbrella cover on your furniture, remove any dust from manufacturing by wiping the furniture with a damp cloth. Your furniture contains oil. Expect some of this oil to bleed out following the first few rainfalls. In order to protect your cushions, bring them inside before the furniture gets wet. Once the furniture has begun to form the silver-gray patina, it is no longer necessary to bring the cushions indoors.
Indoor Use
Should you choose to use your furniture INDOORS, we suggest that you periodically apply a thin coat of paste wax, i.e. Briwax or Johnson�s Wax. Doing so provides the teak with additional protection from natural body oils, dust, and dirt that may come in contact with the furniture.
Storage
Teak furniture may be left outside all year round without an outdoor furniture cover. Snow and freezing temperatures will not harm the furniture. If you prefer to store your furniture, we recommend doing so in a dry, unheated garage or garden shed. We do not recommend the use of furniture covers, as many varieties do not provide proper ventilation and can make the wood susceptible to mildew growth.
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MAINTAINING STAINLESS STEEL
We use 304 grade stainless steel-the industry standard-in manufacturing our TIBURON, IBIZA and TRIBECA outdoor products. Yet despite its durability, stainless steel furniture requires regular maintenance to keep it looking like new and we recommend cleaning your stainless steel furniture periodically.
Although stainless steel is generally resistant to corrosion, the surface is susceptible to cosmetic deterioration by the effects of salt water, salt air, chlorine from pool water, and air-borne chemicals and we do not recommend using this furniture if you are within 10 miles of the ocean. These spots in no way affect the strength, integrity or longevity of the furniture, they are simply superficial discolorations that require cleaning to restore the stainless steel to its original appearance.
To further inhibit corrosion and retard the effects of weather and oxidation, we recommend using Kingsley-Bate Anti-Corrosion Wax at least once a year.
Electropolishing
Stainless steel furniture that will be used within 10 miles of the ocean, or has direct contact with chlorinated swimming pool water, should be ordered with an electropolished finish. Electropolishing is a special treatment that renders steel suitable for these environments by helping to prevent oxidation or corrosion. Stainless steel furniture that has been electropolished will have a mirror finish versus the brushed appearance of our untreated finish. Available on a special order basis only. Please allow 8 weeks for delivery. Refer to price list for complete details. Note: Electropolishing is not available for the TRIBECA dining chair (TA15J) or the TIBURON 84� and 42� tables (TB84, TB42).
MAINTAINING WOVEN FURNITURE
All our woven furniture is made using RehauTM synthetic wicker, an extremely durable man-made fibre. Soft to the touch, this remarkable material has many benefits including high suppleness, tear resistance, UV resistance and weather resistance.
Woven furniture can be left outside all year round and is able to withstand temperatures from -20�C to +55�C. When very cold, the weave will become stiffer than normal and when very hot, the weave will become more elastic. However, it will always revert to it's normal elasticity once the ambient temperature stabilizes.
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