Expert: Eileen Cronk - 8/14/2008

Question
We recently bought a new teak patio set.  Within a couple days it began developing black spotting on most of the horizontal surfaces.  The manufacturer said the wood had been finished with linseed oil.  We tried washing with detergent, diluted household bleach, and undiluted household bleach.  It made no difference in the spotting.  In one area we sanded it away, but he spots returned in a week or so.  Do you have any advice what we can do?

Answer
Hi Kathryn
Nice to hear from you.
I am going to assume this set is outdoors..correct?
And not protected from rain..correct?
This is caused from moisture.
Now the question is, whats causing this?
My opinion is the linseed oil finish is not protecting the wood from moisture absorbsion.
And moisture can come from the air even if the set is under a covered area and protected from rain.
You ask what can you do?, and personally I think there is only one solution.
Apply a new finish.
But first I would get the set indoors a few days to really dry well.
Then sand out the black marks and lightly sand the rest of the set and apply some exterior oil based poly.
Probably two coats.
And I would do all the undersides of the furniture too.
Good luck with this.
Regards
Eileen