Our outdoor garden furniture items are packaged either fully assembled or flat-packed in sub-assemblies to minimize the amount of final assembly required. Every piece has been test assembled, inspected and disassembled at our factory prior to packaging. All flat-packed items come complete with necessary dowels and/or hardware and detailed assembly instructions. In most cases, our outdoor garden teak and shorea (yellow balau) furniture can be assembled within a few minutes by a single person with a minimum of tools.

Every item of Park Bench Designs™ and Parke Teak™ outdoor garden furniture that requires assembly includes a detailed, easy to follow assembly instruction sheet. If further assistance is required please contact us.

Our Burmese teak hardwood is in its natural condition and untreated. Our shorea (yellow balau) is initially treated with an oil based hardwood sealer. The only maintenance necessary for your outdoor garden Burmese teak or shorea (yellow balau) furniture is an annual cleaning. After time, all our outdoor garden Burmese teak and shorea (yellow balau) furniture will develop a silvery-gray patina which actually helps protect the wood. If this is the look you prefer, simply clean your outdoor garden hardwood furniture every spring. If you prefer to maintain the original natural color for your new hardwood outdoor garden furniture, simply apply a wood sealer (we recommend Semco Teak Sealer) with a pump spray bottle and wipe off any excess with a clean rag.

NATURAL NEW LOOK

SILVER-GRAY LOOK

This annual cleaning for your Burmese teak or shorea (yellow balau) furniture should be done with a soft bristled brush and soapy water (mild detergent) to remove accumulated dirt. Most dirt and stains can be removed with soapy water and a brush. To eliminate any surface mold (black color) add a half cup of household beach to each one-gallon soapy water solution. Rinse well with clean water after washing. Avoid using pressure washers because they can scour and roughen the wood surface. Also, avoid the use of steel wool as it can leave a residue that can produce rust spots (bronze wool is ok).

SEMCO TEAK SEALER

If you prefer to keep the original natural color of your outdoor garden Burmese teak or shorea (yellow balau) furniture, apply a wood sealer. We recommend an oil based sealer, Semco Teak Sealer. Applying a wood sealer (Semco Teak Sealer) annually or wood sealer semi-annually (depending on the amount of direct sun and rain exposure) will keep your hardwood garden furniture looking new forever. The initial application of wood sealer (Semco Teak Sealer) should be applied after two weeks of outdoor exposure or after freshly cleaned and dried. Avoid applying the wood sealer (Semco Teak Sealer) in direct sunlight or extreme heat.

For slightly used hardwood outdoor garden furniture, first clean your furniture as directed above applying a teak sealer. For old and extremely gray hardwood outdoor garden furniture first use a wood cleaner/brightener (we recommend Semco Teak Cleaner) on your furniture. Let completely dry (about 24 hours) and then apply a wood sealer (we recommend Semco Teak Sealer).

We do not recommend the use of “teak oil”. This is the biggest misconception about the preservation of teak and other hardwood garden furniture. There are a variety of “teak oils” on the market for the protection of teak and hardwoods which usually consist of linseed or tung oil mixed with mineral spirits. When first applied to the wood teak oil imparts a nice finish, but left outdoors teak oils wear away in weeks and require re –coating. With each re-coat, the oiled finish becomes darker and the surface becomes sticky and collects dirt. The organic waste from these oils provides a wonderful garden patch for the growth of mold and mildew. In a very short period of time the wood requires a complete re-cleaning.

SEMCO TEAK CLEANER

To restore your hardwood outdoor garden furniture to its original color, we recommend using a wood cleaner/brightener called Semco Teak Cleaner. This Semco Teak Cleaner will restore the furniture to its original natural color regardless of age or surface condition. Semco Teak Cleaner requires no heavy scrubbing, easy to use and will produce dramatic results. We advise against the use of paint, varnish or other similar finishes. These finishes tend to crack and flake from the surface and are not suited for outdoor garden furniture applications.

Our Burmese teak furniture appears to have a polished sheen. This sheen is caused from the oil naturally occurring in teak wood. This surface oil will be washed away after a short time outdoors. Our shorea (yellow balau) furniture is treated with an oil based sealer. In both our hardwood outdoor garden furniture lines the oils and resins that remain inside give shorea and teak its lasting durability. Eventually, the weathering process will naturally age both Burmese teak and shorea (yellow balau) hardwood garden furniture to a handsome sliver-gray, leaving your outdoor garden furniture with a look of ageless beauty. This gradual process usually takes up to twelve months, depending on the amount of sunlight and rain exposure. After the wood has been exposed to moisture, the surface grain may rise slightly. The grain will return to its original smooth finish after the initial weathering process. You may even notice a few small cracks along the grain and ends of the wood, called “checking”. The slight separation of the grain has no affect on the strength and longevity of the furniture. This is a natural weathering effect due to these woods expanding and contracting slightly when left outdoors. Water spots or the discoloration may also occur early in the weathering process. This will even out and the hardwood outdoor garden furniture will achieve a uniform sliver-gray color. To aid this process, simply clean the hardwood outdoor garden furniture as instructed in “annual cleaning”.

Refer to the individual Teak Care Products for complete details and application instructions. We recommend the Semco Teak Sealer and Semco Teak Cleaner.

WEATHERED

NATURAL

SEALED

Park Bench Teak and Garden Furniture offers a refurbishing service to local customers who prefer to let us do all the work. Please contact us for a free estimate.

Sunbrella® Facts - Fabric Used for Cushions & Umbrellas
Sunbrella fabrics are made from 100 percent solution-dyed acrylic yarns. Solution-dying is the process of adding color to acrylic fibers during manufacturing while they are in a liquid state. This characteristic of Sunbrella fabrics is the key to locking in color, easy cleaning and long life.

Sunbrella fabrics make life easy. Fade-proof, stain-resistant and livable, our fabrics are worry-free and incredibly long lasting. From the bright sun to greasy meatballs, Sunbrella fabrics are tough enough to withstand the extremes of Mother Nature along with all the little accidents that come from everyday living. Our rich fabrics will remain beautiful summer after summer and spill after spill.

Because Sunbrella fabrics are woven, they are also highly breathable, which is why they dry quickly with only air exposure. It's also important to know that Sunbrella fabrics are treated with a fluorocarbon finish, which enhances water repellency. This finish requires replenishment after vigorous cleaning.

Sunbrella fabrics will not support the growth of mildew, but dirt on the fabric can lead to mildew growth, which makes regular cleanings important. No set timetable exists for when fabric should be cleaned, and the local environment has a great deal to do with determining cleaning frequency. Cleaning is required less frequently in a dry environment than in a humid one with heavy foliage.

Textilene Facts - Fabric Used in Sling Furniture
Textilene is a mesh fabric woven of strong polyester yarns that are individually coated with PVC, specifically designed for outdoor use. This product is the best choice for sling outdoor garden furniture because it is strong and very durable to outdoor exposure.

Some of the most frequently asked questions about fabric are concerns about care and cleaning. The good news is that Sunbrella and Textilene are designed for outdoor use and easy maintenance. By following a few simple care and cleaning steps, these fabrics will maintain their good looks for many years.

One of the best ways to keep Sunbrella & Textilene fabrics looking good and to delay the need for deep or vigorous cleanings is to hose the fabric off on a monthly basis with clear water. This practice will help eliminate the need for more frequent vigorous cleanings. In most environments, a thorough cleaning will be needed every two to three years.

When it's time for a thorough cleaning, these fabrics can be cleaned while still on a frame or they can be removed for cleaning in a washing machine.
When cleaning Sunbrella and Textilene fabrics, it is important to observe the following:

• Always use a natural soap (like dishwashing liquid). Never detergent.
• Water should be cold to lukewarm. Never more than 100 degrees.
• Air dry only. Never apply heat to Sunbrella fabrics.

Cushion Maintenance - Follow these simple steps:

• Brush off loose dirt
• Hose down
• Prepare a cleaning mixture of water and mild, natural soap (no detergents)
• Use a soft bristle brush to clean
• Allow soap to soak in
• Rinse thoroughly
• Air dry

Stubborn Stains
If stubborn stains persist, you can use a diluted chlorine bleach/soap mixture for spot cleaning of mildew, roof run-off and other similar stains (see the Stain Chart at the end of this page for more specific recommendations).
Prepare a special cleaning mixture:

• Four ounces (half cup) of chlorine bleach
• Two ounces (one-fourth cup) of natural soap
• One gallon of water
• Clean with soft bristle brush
• Allow mixture to soak for up to 20 minutes
• Rinse thoroughly
• Air dry
• Repeat if necessary

Umbrella Cover Maintenance
If an umbrella cover is suitable in size for a washing machine, these steps should be followed:

• Use only natural soaps. No detergent
• Wash and rinse in cold water
• Air dry. Never put Sunbrella fabrics in your dryer

Sunbrella® Added Protection
As part of the finishing process, Sunbrella fabrics are treated with a fluorocarbon finish, which enhances water repellency. This finish is designed to last for several years, but must be replenished after a thorough cleaning. Based on test results, we recommend Scotch Guard™ or Vectra™ as the preferred re-treatment product for Sunbrella fabrics. Fabrics should be retreated after thorough cleaning or after five years of use.

Applying Scotch Guard™ or Vectra™
Vectra™ should be applied to Sunbrella fabrics after each thorough cleaning, which typically removes the original fluorocarbon finish and reduces the fabric's water repellency. After cleaning the fabric, allow it to air dry completely and then apply Vectra™ in a thin, even coat. After allowing the first coat of Vectra™ to air dry, apply a second thin, even coating of Vectra™. Two light coatings are more effective in restoring fabric water resistance than a single heavy coating.