Frame Material Properties

Aluminium is a light and tough metal with an excellent strength to weight ratio and corrosion resistance - making it an ideal material for outdoor furniture. The aluminium is coated with an electro-statically applied, powder coat finish. The electro-static application method ensures 100% coverage of the metal’s surface area and provides a consistent and tough finish that far exceeds other conventional paint finishes. The resulting finish is knock and scratch resistant, impervious to moisture, highly resistant to corrosion and easy to clean.

The process of powder coating involves a lengthy pre-treatment process. First, the material is thoroughly sanded with abrasive paper much in the same way that wood is sanded. Then the frames and components are immersed in a series of chemical baths to clean and degrease the metal before the corrosion resistance of the aluminium is enhanced by pre-treating with a chrome conversion coating that deposits a thin layer of chrome on the surface. The powder coat (normally this is Polyester) is then applied using electrostatic spraying equipment. A thin layer of powder is deposited over the entire frame before the frame is put into an oven at approximately 200°C (392°F) for 15-20 minutes, depending on the size of the component. The advantage of using powder coat over a paint finish is that the coating is harder and can be thicker than that of paint. Also, there are no solvents involved. The disadvantage of powder coat over paint finishing is that powder coat is very difficult to repair if it becomes damaged. It is not possible to perfectly match the appearance of powder coat with a repair made using a liquid paint.

Cleaning Aluminum

Powder coated aluminium should require very little maintenance, other than to gently clean with water and a mild liquid detergent to remove any dirt or splashes. A microfibre cloth or sponge should be used to wipe over the surfaces of the furniture. Removing surface water with a drying cloth (like you would use on your car) will help avoid water spots. Avoid using any abrasive cleaning agents or materials, as these could mark the surface of the powder coat. Do not use steel wool or Scotchbrite on powder coated surfaces.

Table Top Material Properties

Every piece of teak Gloster uses originates from plantations. About 80% of this is from government owned plantations on the Indonesian island of Java and the balance from FSC certified plantations outside Indonesia. Contrary to popular belief, teak furniture does not require any special maintenance routine or any additional protection apart from occasional cleaning. Left to age naturally outside, teak will gradually change to a soft, silver-grey as the pigments in the surface layer of the wood begin to fade away. We recommend that you allow your teak furniture to weather naturally this way and simply clean thoroughly once or twice a year with Gloster Teak & Upholstery Cleaner.

Teak furniture may also benefit from an occasional light sanding to remove any raised grain and restore a smooth finish to the surface. Under no circumstances should a power washer be used to clean teak furniture.

If you wish to retain the golden-brown color of new teak we also offer Gloster Teak Sealer. Application of Teak Sealer will not affect the strength or longevity of the furniture in any way, just its appearance. If you elect to use Teak Sealer you will be embarking on a regular maintenance programmed as Teak Sealer needs to be regularly re-applied to provide continuous protection.

If you intend to store your furniture over the winter, we recommend that you do so in a water-tight garden shed or garage. However, we advise that you do not move teak furniture from the garden straight into a heated indoor room for storage, as the sharp differences in temperature and humidity may cause the wood to split.

To protect teak surfaces from staining and to help maintain the silver-grey patina on weathered teak, we recommend using Gloster Teak & Upholstery Stain Protector. Gloster Teak Protector creates an almost invisible shield which helps to prevent food (coffee, ketchup, red wine, olive oil, etc.) penetrating into the teak and causing unsightly stains. Teak Protector also helps protects the wood against the ingress of moisture, the adhesion of dirt and prevents mildew growth. 

Cleaning
Gloster Teak & Upholstery Cleaner - 25oz / 750ml plastic bottle with trigger-action head. Water-based formula - both non-toxic and environmentally friendly. Cleans and brightens weathered teak in one, simple step. Each bottle is supplied complete with a special applicator pad. Teak is a beautiful golden brown, close- grained hardwood with a high natural oil content. Exceptionally hard wearing, highly resistant to rotting and almost impervious to the effects of sun, rain, frost or snow, teak is the first-choice timber for outdoor furniture. It is recommended that you clean teak furniture thoroughly once or twice a year.

Protecting
Gloster Teak & Upholstery Stain Protector - 33oz / 1 liter plastic bottle. Water-based formula - both non-toxic and environmentally friendly. Special formula repels water and moisture. Helps prevent stains from food and drinks. Use on weathered teak to retain the silver-grey patina. Each bottle is supplied complete with a special applicator cloth. It is recommended that you treat your teak furniture with Teak Protector at least once every year. Tabletops should be treated more often.

Sealing
Gloster Teak Sealer - 25oz / 750ml plastic bottle with trigger-action head. Water-based formula - both non-toxic and environmentally friendly. Cleans and brightens weathered teak in one, simple step. Each bottle is supplied complete with a special applicator pad. It is recommended that you treat your furniture with Teak Sealer at least once a year.