All wood, however it's finished, will soon fade in the sun. In New Zealand, the intense UV of the sun makes this happen particularly quickly. Using Briwax Spirit-based dye and Teak Oil you can restore your outdoor furniture to look even better than it did when it was new.

If the furniture is blackened and dirty, clean it thoroughly. A waterblaster makes this job easy. Allow the furniture to dry out completely, then sand the surface. Again, make life easier with a random orbit sander. Start with 80 grit sandpaper to get the worst off, and finish with about 180 grit, or finer if you like.

Now apply the colour. Use disposable rubber gloves when handling the Briwax Spirit-based dye, as it won't come off easily! Antique Mahogany is a favourite for Kwila furniture. Light Oak is an alternative if you like a lighter colour, but any colour will work. It's easiest to pour the dye into a shallow dish, and apply it with a cloth. The dye will be dry within 20-30 minutes.

Now, with another shallow dish and another cloth, apply a coat of Teak Oil in exactly the same way. Just wipe it on with the cloth, and make sure you don't leave too much on the surface, to avoid any drips. Leave this first coat to dry overnight.

In the morning, rub the surface with 0000 steel wool, wipe off the dust, and wipe on a second coat of Teak Oil with a cloth. Once dry, this should be enough. If you want a higher gloss, apply another coat.

The surface won't last forever – nothing will in our climate. However, it's amazing how easy it is to repair the finish when you want to. A very light sand, another wipe with stain, and a wipe with Teak Oil will bring the surface back to new. At the start of the season, this can take as little as half an hour to restore a whole outdoor setting.