We placed a mahogany porch rocker on the porch of the showroom in 2004. This is how it looked (a re-enactment).
This is how it looked in August of 2018 after no maintenance at all.
People who have walked by this chair and commented have said that they liked the look of the weathering.
The porch rocker faces west into Texas sunsets. Rain blows in on it.
Wiping the exposed surfaces of the chair with water every once in a while brightens it up.
In the photo below, also taken in August, 2018, when the chair had 14 years, we have wiped off the seat. You can see the gray-brown weathering in the chair back and the effect of wiping it down with water in the seat.
This is our prescription for a complete renewal.
1. Wash the chair with soapy water and household bleach. We use Murphy's Oil Soap and add a quarter cup of bleach to the half gallon. Scrub with a brush and rinse with a hose. Let it dry thoroughly.
2. Sand it lightly with 220 grit sandpaper.
3. Oil it with a porch deck oil. We use Penofin Brazilian Rosewood Oil. There are many comparable products.
4. You may want to oil it again after a few days. Two coats will last longer.
5. Sit it in some.