Giati | Care & Maintenance
TEAK
Material Properties:
Indoors or outdoors, GIATI Teak Furniture can be enjoyed with little maintenance. However, a simple care and maintenance program is strongly recommended. Teak furniture will age more gracefully when properly maintained.
Natural Teak Finish (For Outdoor Use):
- Expectations for Color Change: Over time, as your natural teak furniture is exposed to the elements, it will undergo a gradual color transformation from the honey color of new teak to the rich, silver-gray patina which distinguishes finely aged, outdoor teak. Depending on your specific environment, natural graying and/or weathering may be noticeable after only a few weeks or a few months. In drier climates, where the weather is more stable, your teak will weather gently. Expect the color to slowly fade, with some discoloration as the teak is exposed to infrequent moisture. In most climates, where the furniture is subjected to regular dewfalls and sunshine, the teak will weather more rapidly. Expect frequent water spots and discoloration when the weather is consistently moist or wet. Do not be alarmed; this condition can be easily washed away with soap, water and household bleach. If left unattended, the discolored areas will substantially disappear. In time, the overall color of your teak will become more uniform.
- Speeding up the Process: If you prefer, you may hasten the weathered appearance of your furniture and more quickly achieve a uniform, bone-white patina by washing your teak with a bleach and water solution using a 50/50 mix of household bleach and water.
- Wet all wood surfaces with the solution and let stand for 10-15 minutes.
- Rinse thoroughly with fresh water.
- Do not allow the bleach to dry on the wood.
- At first, your solution will darken the teak and you will notice mildew spots or other stains lightening. When your furniture appears somewhat uniform in tone, begin the fresh water rinse.
- Afterwards, the furniture will dry quickly and lighten to a more uniform, bone-white patina.
- During the weathering process, it is our recommendation that all cushions be removed from the furniture when it is wet, or not in use. Please reference the section on Cushion Care at the end of this document.
- Maintaining A Smooth Finish: After the first few exposures to water, expect the surface grain to rise slightly. This is a natural occurrence. Rest assured that your GIATI furniture has been wet sanded (a unique, proprietary technique), which will significantly limit surface grain roughness. A cleaning with a soft-bristled brush (or sponge), soap and water will allow the wood to return to a condition similar to its original, smooth finish.
- To Clean: For routine, light maintenance when your furniture looks dirty or has water spots:
- Clean with soap and water using a wet cloth.
- Rinse your cloth and repeat as necessary. Some water or other spotting may remain.
- To thoroughly clean your furniture, GIATI recommends a 3:1 solution of laundry detergent or dishwashing soap and household bleach: three parts soapy water to one part bleach.
- Using a soft-bristled brush, wet and lightly scrub the entire piece.
- Do not allow the solution to dry on the furniture.
- After cleaning, thoroughly rinse your furniture with fresh water. This process will remove surface dirt and pollution, kill mildew (known to grow on almost anything), remove or lighten most black mildew spots should they occur, and allow the silver-gray patina to develop more evenly. This will also remove most raised wood grain fibers, returning your furniture to a feel similar to its original smoothness.
- After about a year and the first few cleanings, you can switch to a bleach and water-only solution without any scrubbing.
- If nothing else, periodically hose off your outdoor furniture with plenty of fresh water and allow it to dry in the sun.
Protective UV Inhibitor (For Outdoor Use):
This finish will aid in prolonging the honey color of your teak outdoors while adding some stain resistance. However, it is not a permanent solution! Over time, the elements will break down the finish and natural “weathering” will occur. (Please refer to the section on Natural Teak for weathering expectations.) If you want to prolong the honey color, you will need to reapply the finish BEFORE it begins to show signs of weathering. (Protective UV Inhibitor will not restore lost color.) Applying UV Inhibitor is relatively easy and re-application can be done by a non-professional. This process is time-consuming and strict adherence to directions is necessary. The challenge is one of timing and the condition of the finish prior to reapplication. Our experience and recommendation is that you enlist the help of a professional in order to achieve the desired results, thereby avoiding disappointment or other problems. GIATI will be happy to provide recommendations for purchasing the correct productsDriftwood Teak Finish (For Outdoor Use):
Our classic Driftwood Finish instantly provides a look similar to that of teak, which has weathered naturally over a period of time. Please note that this is a “decorative” and not a “protective” finish. When placed outdoors and exposed to the elements, your teak will eventually weather and develop a new patina. As the elements break down the decorative Driftwood Finish, natural graying and weathering of the wood will occur. The newly “weathered” patina will gradually replace the Driftwood Finish. A light wetting with a bleach and water solution followed by a fresh water rinse will help to even out any discoloration during the transition period.Natural Teak Finish (For Outdoor Use):
Natural teak will stain or darken when exposed to food oils and most liquids. Therefore we strongly recommend that your teak be protected from foodstuffs when used in dining areas. In “non-food” areas and with a little care, GIATI teak will maintain its incredible smoothness, natural beauty, and rich color for years to come.- Spilled Water or Stains: Once the wood has dried, the mark can be easily removed.
- A light rubbing with a very fine Scotch Brite ® pad or #40 steel wool will usually remove dried water spots or light stains.
- Lightly dust off the area after rubbing with either item.
- If you use steel wool, do not use water as it will react with the steel wool and wood and create dark stains
Both items are available at most hardware stores.
Over time, with exposure to ambient light, expect your teak furniture to slowly take on a beautiful, golden honey-colored tone.
Oiled Teak (For Indoor Use): With basic care, you can expect your oiled finishes to last beautifully indoors.
- To enhance the finish: We recommend occasional light re-oiling and cleaning with a product like non-aerosol Lemon Pledge® or any non-building furniture polish.
- Re-oiling over a waxed surface is not recommended as the oil will likely dry unevenly on the surface.
Oiled teak is much more resistant to staining by food oils than is natural teak. However, reasonable care must still be taken as many foods and liquids will penetrate and stain your furniture. In non-food areas, oiled teak provides a truly beautiful, lasting look and finish.
Cushion Care With Teak Furniture: GIATI’s First European Quality (FEQ) teak naturally contains high amounts of oils and resins. Please refer to the section entitled “Natural Teak Finish (For Outdoor Use)” for expectations as your furniture weathers.
It is normal for some of the natural resins in the teak to leach out when it is exposed to a damp climate or rain. In order to protect the underside of your cushions, we highly recommend removing them when the furniture is damp or wet. Eventually, after exposure to the elements, these resins will stop leaching out, and cushion removal should no longer be so necessary.
Should you happen to leave the cushions on the furniture while wet, a rust-colored stain may appear on the underside. Clean the cushions immediately using a soft brush and a mild soap water solution. If not treated quickly, the stain on the underside or backside of your cushions may prove to be irreversible.
GIATI’s cushions are made of Dri-Fast® Foam, which releases moisture and dries quickly. However, in a heavy or continuous rain your cushions may become saturated.
- To Dry (More Quickly): Remove them from the furniture and place them upright on their sides in a sunny area. This will allow the water to drain out of the cushion core faster.
- Environmental Staining: Clean the cushions using a soft brush and a mild soap and water solution.
- Stubborn stains: Contact GIATI for more specific cleaning suggestions.
CAST ALUMINUM: A regular, simple cleaning program will maximize the longevity of the powder coat finish.
- To Clean:
- Loose debris deposits can be removed with a wet sponge.
- Next, clean with a soft brush and mild household detergent solution.
- Finish by rinsing with fresh water.
Generally, cleaning every six months is recommended. However, in areas that are near the ocean or exposed to pollutants, cleaning every few months is preferable.
While powder coat finishes are extremely durable, it is possible to chip or scratch them. For this reason, your furniture is shipped with a Care Kit that contains touch-up paint for repairing scratches and chips. Please follow the instructions printed on the front and back of the paint cans.
Spray Paint: We recommend applying several lightweight coats instead of one heavy coat.
Cushion Care with Cast Aluminum Furniture: GIATI’s cushions are made of Dri-Fast® Foam, which releases moisture and dries quickly. However, in a heavy or continuous rain your cushions may become saturated.
- To dry (More Quickly): Remove them from the furniture and place upright on their sides in a sunny area. This will allow the water to drain out of the cushion core faster.
- Environmental Staining: Clean the cushions using a soft brush and a mild soap and water solution.
- Stubborn Stains: Contact GIATI for more specific cleaning suggestions.
FABRIC
All GIATI acrylic fabrics inherently resist stains and are easy to maintain. They repel both oil-based and water-based liquids. However, they still should be cleaned regularly before any substance becomes embedded in the fabric.
- To Clean:
- Warm water and a mild soap applied with a soft brush by hand will easily clean dirt from these dimensionally stable fabrics.
- Simple Green can also be used on tough spots, such as bird residue.
Bleach is not recommended as it can damage the fabric and reduce water repellency. Damage caused directly from using bleach will void our guarantee, as will washing in a machine or in very hot water. All acrylic fabrics are heat sensitive and can be damaged by ironing or washing in very hot water. Therefore Giati recommends washing only by hand, using cold or lukewarm water.
- Mildew: Mildew will grow on anything including wood, metal and plastics. No fabric can be mildew proof, but mildew is easily removed if attended to immediately. Acrylic textiles have been used widely in hospitality and residential installations in the Philippines, Hawaii and Florida where mildew is a common nuisance.
- If mildew is allowed to take over cushions, bleach must be used to eliminate it:
- Use a bleach solution sparingly: no more than a 1/2 cup (4 oz.) of bleach and a 1/4 cup (2 oz.) of mild soap per 1/2 gallon of water.
- The fabric should be scrubbed with this solution for no more than 15 minutes and rinsed thoroughly with cold water.
- If bleach is used, we recommend that you follow up by reapplying the protective finish to your fabric. Please refer to www.303-products.com and select the product called “303 High Tech Fabric Guard”. Instructions for application can be found on the bottle.
UMBRELLAS:
Market umbrellas have been made in Italy and the South of France for the past century. Over the years, they have been refined and updated. Giati Designs handcrafted umbrellas are considered to be the finest in the world, and are designed to withstand the rigors of exposure to the elements. Following a few simple care and maintenance instructions will ensure that your Giati umbrella will provide enjoyment for years to come.
Opening/Closing Market Collection Umbrellas:
Our Market Collection umbrella canopies are sewn with a closure tie. We recommend tying it closed every time the umbrella is put down.
- To open the umbrella without a hoisting system:
- Gently pull two arms out from the pole until you can reach the lower hub.
- Push up on the lower hub to raise the umbrella high enough to allow you to place the brass pin in the highest possible hole. The canopy should be stretched taut when the umbrella is fully open. Failure to keep the canopy taut may cause the hubs to chip over time.
Opening/Closing Next Century Collection Umbrellas:
Our Next Century Collection umbrellas are designed with an “arm locking” hub. When the umbrella is closed tightly, the arms will “lock” in place preventing the umbrella from opening easily.
- To open the umbrella:
- Gently pull the arms out from the pole one at a time.
- When they are all released from the “locked” position, raise the umbrella by pushing up on the lower hub.
- Push up on the lower hub to raise the umbrella high enough to allow you to place the brass pin in the highest possible hole. The canopy should be stretched taut when the umbrella is fully open.
- Failure to keep the canopy taut may cause damage to the arms over time.
Wind Exposure
Umbrellas are much less vulnerable to damage from light breezes when they are fully opened and the canopy is fully stretched. To do this, open the umbrella fully and set the brass pin in the highest hole possible. This will ensure that the arms are allowed very little movement inside the hub sockets. All umbrellas must be fully closed during heavier winds to prevent damage.
Water Exposure
Giati umbrellas are constructed to withstand water exposure on a regular basis. Our canopies are made from exterior fabrics that are either water repellant, or allow the water to (5)pass through (unless a COM was provided). The end of our umbrella poles are soaked in paraffin to help prevent the pole from absorbing water and swelling. A furniture lift is placed on the end of the pole to provide drying space in the base. Giati umbrella bases are designed with a weep hole to allow water to escape the base tube.
When the umbrella has been dampened or soaked by rain, open the canopy as soon as possible to allow the fabric to dry. If left closed for a period of time while wet, mildew may appear on the canopy and frame. After heavy rains we recommend removing the pole from the base tube to ensure that the tube is dry. Allowing the pole to remain in a wet environment will increase the likelihood of the pole swelling over time.
- To Clean:
- To maintain the appearance of your umbrella frame, simply wipe it down with a moist cloth occasionally to remove dust and other environmental debris.
For your canopy, the cleaning instructions depend on what fabric was used.
- For Giati Fabrics(R):
- General cleaning can be done simply by spraying the umbrella with clean water from a garden hose.
- For more direct cleaning: Open the umbrella fully and carefully lean it on its side (resting on the opened arms).
- Gently scrub the canopy with soapy water and a soft bristle brush.
- Rinse with clean water from a garden hose.
- For more specific cleaning needs, please contact Giati for fabric cleaning instructions.
- Storage: When storing a teak umbrella:
- Place wax paper between the canopy and the upper arm. This will prevent the natural oils in the teak from staining the canopy while in storage.
- If possible, all umbrellas should be stored upright.
- Replacement Parts: Replacement parts are available from Giati Designs. Please contact us at (805) 965-6535.
PAVILION
Giati Pavilions are produced using high performance technology combined with time honored handcrafting techniques. The result is a resilient, beautiful outdoor living space. By following a few care and maintenance recommendations, your pavilion will provide lasting pleasure.
- Water Exposure: Giati pavilions are designed to withstand water exposure on a regular basis. The canopy and drapes are made from exterior fabrics that are either water repellant, or allow the water to pass through (unless a COM was provided).
- After exposure to soaking rains:
- Open the drapes to allow them to dry as soon as possible. If the fabric remains damp for an extended period of time, mildew may occur.
- Wind Exposure: Giati pavilions are intended to be securely installed using one of two base options. If your pavilion frame is not anchored in bases, windy gusts may cause the pavilion to shift locations slightly.
- Please contact Giati Designs at (805) 965- 6535 to purchase pavilion bases if you do not currently own them
- The pavilion canopy is designed with a wind vent to allow gusts of wind to escape. These wind vents separate from the main canopy and let the wind blow out freely.
- In Heavier Winds:
- The drapes must be tied back to prevent movement.
- If you do not anticipate using your pavilion during the winter months, we recommend removing the drapes and canopy and storing them until milder weather returns.
- To Clean:
- Wipe it down with a moist cloth occasionally to remove dust and other environmental debris.
- For your canopy, the cleaning instructions depend on what fabric was used.
- For Giati Fabrics(R): Spray the canopy and drapes with clean water from a garden hose.
- For More Direct Cleaning:
- Gently scrub the fabric with soapy water and a soft bristle brush.
- Rinse with clean water from a garden hose.
- For more specific cleaning needs, please contact Giati for fabric cleaning instructions.
- Storage:
- Simply remove them from the frame and wrap them in a clean sheet or storage blanket.
- Do not wrap them in plastic.
- Store in a clean, dry environment free of rodents.
Your pavilion frame may be stored assembled in its installation location.