Outdoor furniture adds functionality and comfort to any outdoor area and turns it into a great place to socialize, relax, and enjoy fresh air and natural beauty. Wood furniture, in particular, makes the best addition to an outdoor space – it is a natural product that blends in with the surroundings and brings a lot of charm and warmth to the ambience.
However beautiful and comfortable outdoor wooden furniture may be though, it is likely to lose much of its appeal within just a couple of years out in the elements. Rain, snow, ice, intense sunlight, extreme heat and freezing cold take a big toll on outdoor furniture, marring its surface and stealing its luster. Yet, you don’t need to replace your wood patio table or bench just because it is sun-bleached or a bit grimy – as long as a furniture piece is in good structural shape, you can easily restore its beauty and shine. All you need to do is refinish your weathered piece.
Stain the Furniture
Staining outdoor wood furniture is an exciting process that allows for a lot of creativity and personalization – you will not only bring your weathered pieces back to life, but will be able to transform them into beautiful works of art that perfectly match your personal style and overall exterior décor. Just make sure you use an appropriate outdoor furniture stain and work carefully and patiently:
Prime the surfaces, so that the paint adheres more uniformly and lasts longer; Test the paint on a small, inconspicuous area of the furniture to see how it looks; Apply a thin, even coat of stain all over the surfaces – use a foam roller or a staining pad for flat surfaces and a paintbrush for edges and corners; Wipe off any excess paint with a clean cloth and let the stain dry for the recommended period of time; Lightly sand the furniture to remove any residue from the paint and smooth the surfaces; Wipe with a tack cloth to remove any dust or debris; Repeat the process as necessary – you may need to apply multiple layers until you get the desired result. Just make sure you wait for the paint to dry completely before applying the next coat and lightly sand the wood between coats.
Seal the Paint
The final step in your outdoor wood furniture refinishing project is to protect the paint from the elements. When the final coat of stain is fully dry, wipe the furniture surfaces clean, and apply a thin layer of appropriate outdoor sealant. Wait for it to dry, sand the furniture with fine-grit sandpaper to make the surface smoother, remove any dust from the sanding with a new tack cloth, and apply a final layer of sealant to ensure the best possible protection to your furniture.
Let the wood cure for a couple of days before putting your refinished furniture back to use. Do not leave wet and freshly finished patio furniture outside to dry though – dirt and debris from the air may settle into the new furniture paint and result in unsightly specks. To prevent this, you need to keep your repainted furniture indoors – in a shed or garage – until it dries.