Can I save my neglected outdoor balau bench?

July 10, 2023 8:47 AM

I have a balau bench that I've failed to maintain for the last three or four years. Can I save it?

My understanding is that balau is similar to teak. The instructions that came with it say, "If left outside without oil, the balau will gradually turn a light silver gray overtime."
It has not, it's still dark brown (not "the rich honey color" the instructions seem to think it is.) Will it forgive me if I just go back to "simply apply[ing] “Tung” oil 2 or 3 times a year to restore its natural lustre"?
Should I do anything special in addition?
Thanks.

posted by feelinggood to Home & Garden (3 answers total)

It sounds like it’ll be fine. Make sure it’s clean and dry. Go over it with steel wool or fine sandpaper, and remove all dust before recoating. Note that most products marketed as “tung oil finish” contain little real tung oil. If you want the real stuff, expect to search a bit and read the fine print.
posted by jon1270 at 10:30 AM on July 10, 2023 [1 favorite]

You're fine. Be careful on the oil, I've used Penofin on Balau and Ipe and it tens to turn everything black and then need to get sanded off, but yeah. Give it another shot of oil and carry on.
posted by straw at 4:40 PM on July 10, 2023 [1 favorite]

Balau is similar to teak in the way it ages and is similar to most dark hardwoods. If you're happy with the way the timber looks, just throw some oil at it and call it good. If you want to restore the original colouring a bit more, you could use a 'deck cleaner' chemical wash that will bring it back to brand new, then oil it.
posted by dg at 9:51 PM on July 10, 2023 [1 favorite]