The main reason woods like teak, mahogany, and white oak are so often used on boats is because they’re dense, strong, and decay-resistant. Which makes them durable enough to withstand the harsh conditions they’re exposed to at sea. But prolonged exposure to salt, sun, water, and pollution without protection can eventually break down even naturally oily woods like teak, turning them from golden and glowing to gray and weathered, and even causing structural damage.

For these durable hardwoods, some finishes struggle to absorb properly into the oily wood grain. Thankfully, teak oils and sealers are designed to apply even color and protection on this dense wood type. Oils such as tung and linseed can be rubbed on clean teak to give it a richer appearance, restoring the protective oil and natural golden hue. Sealers are also easy to apply to clean teak, but last a little longer than oils. They seal the oils and resins in the wood, sealing out the moisture. Traditionally, sealers were applied to wood that retained some of its oil content, or that had some type of wood oil applied first.