Q: What is Caribbean Extreme Teak Oil Finish?

A: Caribbean Extreme Teak Oil Finish is a penetrating wood stain and oil finish that beautifies and protects exterior wood, providing a natural appearance. It is ideal for use on teak, ipe, brazilian redwood, mahogany, meranti, massaranduba and other exotic dense hardwoods. Caribbean Extreme Teak Oil Finish contains fungicides and UV absorbers of the highest quality. It does not form a surface film when properly applied and is not subject to peeling and flaking. To recoat, just clean the wood surface and reapply. No stripping or sanding is necessary.

Q: How long will it last?

A: On hardwoods, the product can be expected to last for 1-2 years. The time element will vary depending on conditions such as sunlight, weather and direction of exposure.

Q: I want to keep my wood looking natural? Should I use a clear finish?

A: Clears with no pigmentation do not offer UV protection or color retention. Our products contain Transparent Iron Oxide pigments which absorb UV radiation while allowing visible light to pass through. This results in a finish that highlights the natural beauty of the wood while still protecting it. The Caribbean Extreme line contains extra UV absorbers for maximum protection from the sun.

Q: After I applied Caribbean Extreme Teak Oil Finish, there are areas that are shiny and tacky. What happened? How do I fix it?

A: This is usually caused by oversaturation of the product on the wood. Remember, the product must be able to penetrate completely to work properly. Remove any excess material promptly, 30-45 minutes after application.

If there are shiny, tacky areas due to overapplication and failure to remove excess product, scrub affected areas with lacquer thinner or MEK solvent to soften excess material. Wipe dry. If product has cured to the point that this does not correct the problem, excess material must be removed by chemical stripping or sanding. Dispose of clean up materials according to local, state and federal regulations.

Another cause of shiny tacky areas is applying the product to wood that is too damp. An oil based product applied to a wet deck will not penetrate very well, as the oil and water don't mix. Make sure that the wood is thoroughly dry before applying any oil based product. Lumber that may appear to be dry or dry at the surface can still have a high moisture content that may "push" the oil back out if the boards are heated up by the sun later in the day.

Q: Can Caribbean Extreme Teak Oil Finish be applied over another stain?

A: Yes, provided the previous finish has sufficiently weathered to allow penetration of the product. Before application, clean the surface with Wood & Deck Cleaner or sand to a new surface.

Q: What is the proper temperature to apply Caribbean Extreme Teak Oil Finish?

A: We recommend surface and air temperatures between 45F and 90F. Avoid application in direct sunlight on hot days. If the wood is hot to the touch, it is too hot to apply the product.

Q: Why doesn't Caribbean Extreme Teak Oil Finish bead water?

A: Water beading is accomplished by adding waxes or paraffin to the stain. These additives do not last very long and are not good permanent water repellents, in addition to this they interfere with adhesion should you decide to paint over the stain. That's why we don't use them in our products. The product fills the pores of the wood, providing excellent water repellency that will last.

Q: The weather report predicts rain tomorrow. Can I finish my wood today?

A: We wouldn't recommend it. The product needs at least 24-48 hours to dry in good conditions. If a newly stained wood is rained on, the rain can force the stain up out of the pores of the wood, leaving a blotchy appearance. It's best to wait until there is no precipitation expected for 48 hours. In some regions, this may mean waiting for a different time of year to finish the deck.

Q: Is Caribbean Extreme Teak Oil Finish suitable for all hardwood surfaces?

A: Yes, UV Plus for Hardwood Decks is an excellent choice for almost any exterior hardwood surface, including vertical surfaces. Make sure the surface is clean, dry, and any previous coatings have either weathered away or been removed. Do not use over paints or other film forming coatings, it's designed to penetrate into bare or weathered wood surfaces.

Q: I have trim and other wooden surfaces that are made of cedar and pressure treated wood. Can I use the Caribbean Extreme product on these?
A: Yes, the product can be used on other types of exterior wood, including cedar, redwood, pine, and pressure treated lumber. Keep in mind that the appearance of dissimilar woods will not be the same after applying the Caribbean Extreme, but generally it is very complementary.