Can You Use Teak Oil on Any Wood?

Teak oil is a common finishing product for wood. It improves the aesthetic and stops the wood from drying out. It can also offer some protection from moisture. The question is, can you use teak oil on any wood?

As a general rule, teak oil works well on hardwoods that absorb a good amount of the oil but not too much. Softwoods tend to soak in too much of the teak oil and it can cause problems with rot.

This article will tell you everything you need to know about what teak oil is, how it works on different types of wood, and what some alternatives are.

What Is Teak Oil?

Teak oil is used for finishing wood, bringing out the natural grain, and protecting it against moisture. It is usually made from tung oil, linseed oil, or a blend of the two. Additives and mineral spirits are also added to make the finish thinner so it soaks into the wood more effectively. Teak oil can be applied to any wood, but it is particularly well-suited for teak and other oily hardwoods.

There are other types of wood oil available including danish oil. All of these oils work in a similar way and can be used for finishing wood. However, each type of oil has its own advantages and disadvantages. 

The main advantage of teak oil is that it penetrates deep into the wood, providing a long-lasting finish. It is also very easy to apply and does not require any special equipment. The main disadvantage of teak oil is that it is a bit more expensive than other types of wood oil. It is also quite difficult to remove once it has been applied.

Can You Use Teak Oil on Wood Other Than Teak?

As the name suggests, teak oil is formulated with teak in mind, but does that mean it can’t be used on other woods? No, that isn’t the case and teak oil is suitable for other types of wood. It is particularly good on oily woods but there are certain types of wood that don’t come up as well with teak oil. Knowing when you should and shouldn’t use it will help you make the best choices about wood finishes.

Is Teak Oil Used on Indoor or Outdoor Furniture?

Teak oil is often the go-to wood oil for furniture because it really brings out the natural beauty of the wood. All of the grains and rich tones really show through and you get a nice deep color to the wood. Teak oil is suitable for both indoor and outdoor furniture.

If you’re using it on outdoor furniture, though, you will need to be sure to re-apply the oil regularly. The frequency with which you need to do this will depend on how often the furniture is exposed to the elements. The oil protects the wood from weathering and replaces natural oils so it doesn’t crack and split.

However, this protection won’t last forever and if you don’t reapply often enough, the furniture will become damaged. The same is true when using teak oil on indoor furniture, but you do not need to reapply as often because the weathering effect is less pronounced.

Using Teak Oil on Different Types of Wood:

Teak oil is well suited for some types of wood but less so for others. Read on to learn more about how it reacts with different woods.

Teak Oil on Acacia Wood

Teak oil soaks into acacia wood very nicely. It darkens the wood slightly, giving it a very nice walnut tone. It is especially good for use on outdoor furniture because it gives excellent protection against damage from UV rays. Regular oiling with teak oil will increase the longevity of the acacia furniture.

Alternatively, you can use tung oil on its own or linseed oil for indoor applications. However, if using linseed oil, make sure that you use boiled oil or the finish will be too brittle. Linseed oil is a popular choice for things like dining tables because it gives a good layer of protection against stains and it’s perfectly safe if it comes into contact with food.

Teak Oil on Pine

Teak on pine is never a good idea. Pine is a very porous wood and it can be very dry. When you apply the teak oil, the wood soaks it all up immediately, so you’ll end up coating it over and over before you get any kind of surface protection.

The raw linseed in teak oil can also feed mold spores inside the wood and encourage rot. In a porous wood like pine, the teak oil will do nothing to stop moisture from soaking in either.

Danish oil is a better choice because it is a hard drying oil. This means that it goes solid very quickly after being exposed to the air. This gives a good protective finish rather than being repeatedly soaked up into the wood as the teak oil would be.

Teak Oil on Oak

Oak is a hardwood, so teak oil takes to it fairly well. However, it is not always the best option. When oak is used outdoors, moisture protection is often a priority and teak oil isn’t the best for this. You can use teak and then put a clear coat over the top, but other oils may be better.

Danish oil is a good choice for indoor oak pieces. It gives good breathability and a nice satin finish. For exterior oak, try pure tung oil. It dries with a hard coating that gives much better moisture protection. Just make sure that the wood has plenty of time to dry properly (a few days at least) before it is exposed to the elements.

Teak Oil on Walnut

Walnut is popular for it’s attractive grain and using teak oil can really bring this out. It will slightly darken the wood and make the grains more pronounced, which is perfect on furniture.

Although raw linseed oil works well for finishing walnut, it can take weeks to fully dry, so teak oil is a simpler alternative. However, tung oil is the best for walnut wood that is prone to more wear and tear, like countertops, for example.

Teak Oil on Cedar

Cedar can go very dull when exposed to sunlight for an extended period. The natural oils disappear and you end up with a gray color. Teak oil soaks into cedar nicely and restores those natural oils, giving it back its rich color again. You should only need a few coats of teak oil to bring old cedar back to life.

Teak Oil on Maple

Maple has a very tight grain so its doesn’t absorb oils particularly well. So, pure oils like raw linseed oil often sit on the top of the wood rather than soaking in. Teak oil, on the other hand, works much better with maple. The mixture of oils, usually with some additives and mineral spirits, is thinner so it is more suitable for wood like maple with a tight grain.

However, you should check what kind of maple you are working with. Standard untreated maple takes teak oil well. Maple that has been heat treated, on the other hand, may not require finishing. It is more stable and less prone to warping, so it doesn’t really need protection from teak oil.

Teak Oil on Fir

Using penetrating oil finishes like teak oil on fir can be risky. Often, they don’t absorb very evenly and you end up with a patchy finish. Danish oil can work fairly well and it brings out the natural redness of the fir over time. However, if you want to be safe, consider other options for finishing fir.

Stains and clear coats like polyurethane are better for protecting fir from moisture when it is used outdoors, and you won’t have the same problem with patchiness.

Teak Oil on Plywood

It’s difficult to know whether to use teak oil, or any other oil finishes, on plywood. This is because it is made from wood veneers of all different types. So, it really depends on whether the plywood is made from a species that takes teak oil well or not. If possible, try to find out what the plywood is made from before using teak oil.

Most of the plywood you find for construction purposes is made from softwoods, so it will soak up a lot of the oil and you won’t get the best finish, so you should consider other options.

If you do decide to try teak oil on plywood, always do a small test patch in the corner first to see how it comes out.

Teak Oil on Pallet Wood

In the US, most pallets are made from pine or oak. As discussed earlier, teak oil on pine is not a great option, but it can work quite nicely on oak. So, just as you do with plywood, you need to check what type of wood the pallet is made from.

Pallet wood tends to be quite rough too, so sanding it down and staining it is a better option if you’re using it in the home or garden.

Is Teak Oil Most Effective When Used on Teak Wood?

The name teak oil is very misleading because the natural assumption is that it’s specifically designed for teak and works better on that type of wood than any other. But even though teak oil is excellent for teak, it’s also great for a lot of other types of hardwood too, like acacia.

What’s the Difference Between Teak Oil and Varnish? 

Teak oil and varnish have completely different purposes. Teak oil penetrates into the wood, protecting it from within. Varnish, on the other hand, forms a barrier on the surface of the wood that protects it from the elements.

Teak oil is usually made from a mix of natural oils like tung oil and linseed oil while varnish is made from synthetic materials. Varnish is designed to give artificial color to the wood while teak oil brings out the natural features.

What’s the Difference Between Teak Oil and Linseed Oil?

Linseed oil is a raw ingredient and it can be used as an oil finish for wood on its own. Teak oil is a combination ingredient that is made from a mixture of different oils, additives, and mineral spirits. In most cases, teak oil contains some linseed oil.

What’s the Difference Between Teak Oil and Tung Oil?

Just like linseed oil tung oil is a raw ingredient that is used as a finish. It is taken from the nuts of the tung tree. You will also find tung oil as an ingredient in teak oil a lot of the time. When applied on its own, it can be difficult to get a good finish with tung oil, but you get a lot of the same benefits when it is an ingredient in teak oil.

What’s the Difference Between Teak Oil and Danish Oil?

Teak oil and danish oil are very similar. Danish oil is another combination product that usually contains linseed oil, tung oil, and mineral spirits, along with some other additives. The main difference is apparent when the oil dries and you see the finish.

Teak oil has a matte finish while Danish oil tends to have a semi-gloss or satin finish. In terms of how they are used and what types of wood they are suitable for, there is no real difference. So, when choosing between the two, it’s all about what kind of finish you want.

What’s the Difference Between Teak Oil and Teak Sealer?

A teak sealer interacts with the wood in a different way to teak oil. The oil will soak right into the wood while the sealer forms a barrier on the surface. This seals the natural oils inside the wood and protects against moisture, so it’s a great option for use outside. Teak sealer also lasts much longer, so you won’t need to reapply as often.

What’s the Difference Between Teak Oil and Mineral Oil?

Mineral oil also has a misleading name because it makes it sound quite natural. In reality, it’s anything but. It’s an oil made from petroleum that is used in much the same way that you would use teak oil. You can get food-grade mineral oil that is good for things like cutting boards or wooden bowls.

Compared with mineral oils, natural wood oils give a nicer finish and they last longer before they need reapplication, so things like teak oil are usually the better choice.

What’s the Difference Between Teak Oil and Wood Stain?

The main difference between oil and stain is that stain changes the color of the wood. They tend to be quite thin so they soak right into the wood and give it color. Most of them also contain additives to make the wood water-resistant. Teak oil, on the other hand, will maintain the natural look of the wood.

Final Thoughts

Teak oil is an excellent way to protect furniture, replace the natural oils, and darken the wood slightly without covering up the natural grain. In general, it tends to work better on hardwoods but softwoods soak up too much of the oil and it can increase the chances of mold. Before using teak oil, always check what kind of wood you are working with and do a small test patch just to be sure.