I am finishing up a triangular teak end table and need to think about finishing. Customer wants it "natural" what ever that is. I have tried Watco and Poly on some scrap pieces and both seem to darken the teak (except for end-grain). Also some of the teak is tight grained with almost no pores and some is more open pored. Teak sure seems to be a funny wood to work, cut it and fresh cuts are light but darken in sunlight, but not as dark as originally, maybe that gets darker with time. Oily, thats why I was thinking Watco, but like I said, it seems to overly darken, except on the really light areas which I'm afraid as the wood darkens with time and exposure the Watco coated wood with get very dark.
Do I use pore-filler (I have had good luck with Pore-O-Pak on walnut) or leave the pores open since a lot of the wood is tight. What finish have you been successful with on teak. What would not darken the teak (absorbs a lot). Could I use a 'spit' coat of shellac or would the shellac even stick to teak since it is so oily?
Help!!!
George