Best teak oil [UK]: Ronseal, Cuprinol, and Bartoline teak oil reviewed and compared

Specification: Protects and nourishes the wood: yes, Can use this on: Exterior hardwood/softwood garden furniture and decking, Volume: ‎‎0.5-1L

I really like Cuprinol Naturally Enhancing Teak Oil. It doesn’t matter if it’s wood preservative (oh yes and their wood preservative is legendary!), dry rot treatment or teak oil, their products have been on point for twenty years now. The first thing you’ll notice about Cuprinol Teak Oil is the formulation. It’s now water based. This makes application all the easier and as far as I can tell, there has been no loss of quality on the product itself. It still gives your wood a lovely newly oiled look. The formula seeps into timber deeply, giving long lasting protections – I normally lay this on twice a year if I remember my chores :D. Once in spring and once before winter sets in.

Be certain you are oiling bare timber. This will not work properly on stained or painted wood. The oil needs a chance to absorb deeply so that means a bit of sanding too so the bare timber has a nice key. That might not be a helpful quantifying if your furniture can be coated. What I do is the old water bead test. Flick a few droplets of water at your timber and end grain. Do they absorb quickly? If yes, they are ready for teak oil application. That should help… 🙂

In terms of application, definitely use a cloth or brush – the spray, in my opinion and experience, leaves little bubbles and not quite the excellent finish we’ve come to expect from Cuprinol. Give it a good day or two and you’ll be sitting on your lovely garden bench again much happier! Culprinol won’t alter the look of your timber, it’ll just bring the grain up nicely and make your limber look its best. An absolute buy rating from me and would pick Cuprinol as my best teak oil, without question.

Pros:

• Exterior hardwood/softwood garden furniture
• Protects and enhances all exterior hardwood and softwood for long protection
• Great for garden furniture and decking
• Replaces oil that is lost from the wood when exposed to the sun
• Protects against weathering on new and old wood
• Penetrates and nourishes.
• Contains ingredients to help combat mildew and algae

Cons:

• Hard to pick fault

Specification: Protects and nourishes the wood: yes, Can use this on: indoor and outdoor furniture (especially suitable for wooden garden furniture), Volume: ‎2L

I use this oil on my solid wood outdoor furniture which is oak, not teak. I would say that it is probably designed for teak but it can be used on any wood. I think it’s good quality and I have used to for a number of years following a recommendation from a friend and it’s almost certainly the best teak oil available in the UK overall.

Bartoline Teak Oil should be applied with a lint-free cloth or brush to give an even finish and ensure that you’re giving the furniture its best look. You should remember to clean, dry and unvarnished your furniture before applying any oil, this will leave an even finish. I then take some time to wipe off any surplus oil after saturation. If you’ve got hardwoods such as Oak and Teak, then Bartoline Teak Oil has been specially formulated to give the sheen back into them, and it works really well. You can use this oil on indoor and outdoor furniture and it contains a solvent carrier to aid penetration, which is a double bonus.

If you struggle to use a cloth or brush, then there is a ready-to-use trigger spray available, which in my opinion, gives it just as good a finish as a cloth or brush. It creates a slight sheen the more you put on and the oil soaks straight into the wood. It’s brilliant stuff and will restore your garden furniture that has turned a bit shabby after years of use. It’s got a thick consistency so you only need a little bit to apply to ensure that you’re covered for a good while, don’t make the mistake I made by applying loads to a cloth and rubbing it on… it will leave streaks!

Pros:

• A wood sealer which is especially suitable for wooden garden furniture
• Protects the wood from drying out after long periods in the sun
• Gives wood a natural sheen that lasts

Cons:

• Some complain it’s thinned with white spirit or similar

Specification: Protects and nourishes the wood: yes, Can use this on: outdoor furniture rather than indoors (especially suitable for hardwood garden furniture), Volume: ‎0.5L

RonSeal Teak Oil has nourished and enhanced my hardwood garden furniture and gives an added bonus of protecting it from the weather. It’s best to use this oil on outdoor furniture rather than indoors. When using this oil, I noticed that it penetrates deep into the wood and brings back the oils that it’s already lost over the months and years.

I usually apply RonSeal Teak Oil twice a year, once at the beginning of summer and again when winter is just setting in. I did notice that it had quite a potent smell, so I applied it outside where you get the best source of ventilation.

Once I’d prepared my wood with a light rubbing of fine sandpaper, the oil went on very easily with a soft brush. I let it soak over the weekend and applied another coat for extra protection. I would recommend applying 3 coats but to wait for it to dry really well before reapplying. It dried quickly and it wasn’t sticky as some products can be.

If it does rain in between coats, you’ll notice the rain appearing as bubbles on the wood – and it doesn’t sink in!! I would recommend RonSeal, and I can’t fault it. 3 coats on a teak bench and the wood with added waterproof qualities. With more intricate designs, it’s easier to apply using a brush rather than a cloth.

Pros:

• Ergonomic design
• Ideal for the use on all types of hardwood garden furniture including Teak
• Naturally nourished, protects, and enhances all types of hardwood garden furniture
• Deeply penetrates through weathering
• Protects and maintains the appearance of new hardwood garden furniture

Cons:

• I feel you need an extra coat for a deep finish

If you’re looking for something a bit overkill on your garden furniture to get literally years of protection then you’ll probably opt for the Cura Lignum Marine Teak Oil. I’d only use this every other year if doing the decking on my boat – and that is subjected to splashing salt water, high winds and salty sea spray ! Needless to say for garden furniture it’s more than up to the challenge. It’s so hard wearing you could use it as decking oil as well.

In terms of application you’ll still need to follow the rules of preparation – this is by no means some quick fix instant bullet to a stunning bit of teak garden furniture 😀 If only it were that easy 😀 You’ll definitely need a few coats before you see beads of water forming and running away. One is not enough from my experience.

Here’s a sensible look at the before and after colour of Cura:

This is no sales scam, it’s a legitimate before and after without any picture editing aids. It’s just a good quality teak oil with dual purpose use.

In terms of application it’s just like the rest – good prep, brush or cloth, and wait for it to dry – you’ll want to give this a fair bit of time to dry between coats sometimes it takes a couple of hours, others as much as all day which depends largely on weather temperature you’re working in.

Overall it’s a great product and thoroughly over designed for garden furniture which is great news for us buyers.

Specification: Protects and nourishes the wood: yes, Can use this on: outdoor furniture rather than indoors (especially suitable for hardwoods), Volume: ‎‎0.5L

I used Barrettine Teak Oil to treat and enhance my untreated wood, which included hardwood. It penetrated into the wood leaving a water-resistant and natural finish. I used this product on both indoor and outdoor furniture and it left a great looking matt finish. I was highly impressed. It doesn’t leave a thick and tummy look like a lot of other teak oils, which is a huge positive. which is ideal for traditional matt finish indoor furniture and outdoor garden furniture. I used it on my teak furniture with amazing results.

After a power wash, you only need to apply two or three coats twice a year, once at the beginning of summer, and then again at the end. I noticed my wood looking more nourished, revived and it absorbed straight in. I found that it’s good to use as it’s a lighter consistency than others and sinks in quickly and smoothly.

It’s best to apply using a cloth and not a brush as it’s quite thin. Barrettine Teak Oil is very effective on all types of wood. The results you will have are impressive and the teak wood will have a great finish of golden brown. If you’re looking for a wood finish which is easy to apply and imparts an excellent finish with minimum effort, then Barrettine Teak Oil could be a choice for you. The several times I’ve used it, it’s given a good effect.

Pros:

• Specifically formulated to replace natural wood oils in hardwoods such as Oak and Teak
• Contains a solvent carrier to aid penetration
• Suite for use on indoor and outdoor furniture
• Easy to apply with a cloth or bush
• Ready to use trigger spray also available

Cons:

• On the weak side which is to be expected being so low priced

Specification: Protects and nourishes the wood: yes, Can use this on: especially suitable for garden furniture, Volume: ‎‎0.25-1L

I bought this product to protect some solid wood garden furniture. Even on the first application, it transformed the furniture. The wood completely drank up the teak oil which brought out the grain in the wood.

I applied 3 coats and this made the furniture go from good to amazing really quick! The 1st application took me longer to apply than the 2nd and 3rd, but the 1st layer was the quickest to dry. I used a brush rather than a cloth which coated just as well. I just found it easier to use a brush to get into all of the nooks and crannies.

You will notice that your furniture may turn darker when applying, but after a day or so once it has dried, it will become lighter and will look amazing. It has quite a strong smell, which is unpleasant (I quite like it!). One bottle transformed my table, two benches and two chairs, just for reference.

I was a bit sceptical at the pricing to begin with, but after using it, I definitely think it’s worth it and would recommend it. It also gives a waterproof layer so you don’t have to go running to cover any furniture when the rain starts to pour!

Pros:

• Restores old and weathered teak furniture
• Protects and waterproofs exotic wood and hardwoods
• Seals and protects unfinished or bare teak
• Ideal for garden furniture
• Prevents from weathering and turning grey over time

Cons: