How to Refinish Outdoor Wood Furniture? : Outdoor Furniture Maintenance Tips

Key Takeaways

• Refinishing costs far less than replacing furniture and can add years to its life.

• Sanding, cleaning, staining and sealing are the four core steps. Skipping the sealer is the most common mistake.

• Work in a shaded, ventilated space and keep the wood dry while it cures.

• Plan to refinish every two to three years, depending on wood type, finish quality and climate.

• Yearly cleaning and a light recoat keep the finish from failing early.

Does Your Outdoor Furniture Need Refinishing?

Your furniture needs refinishing when the finish no longer repels water. Look for these signs:

• Grey or silver wood where the stain has worn off

• Water that soaks in instead of beading on the surface

• Peeling, flaking or cracked finish

• Rough patches, fine cracks (checking) or raised grain

• Faded color or dark water stains

Quick test: Sprinkle a little water on the wood. If it beads, the finish is still working. If it soaks in within a few minutes, it is time to refinish.

What Causes Outdoor Wood Furniture to Break Down?

UV rays and weather. Sunlight breaks down lignin, the natural bond that holds wood fibers together. As lignin degrades, the surface turns grey or silver, then develops small cracks and dries out. Softwoods are especially prone to checking, cupping and warping, which lets water in.

Wood rot. Rot is caused by fungus and is largely preventable. The fungus thrives in wood that stays damp in temperatures above roughly 40°F. Wet wood is not the problem. Wood that stays wet is.

What You’ll Need

• Random orbit sander (or sanding block for detailed areas)

• 80-grit and 120-grit sandpaper

• Fine sanding sponge for scuffing between coats

• Tack cloth and clean cotton rags

• Mineral spirits

• Exterior wood stain (oil-based or water-based)

• Exterior sealer or finish (spar varnish, exterior polyurethane, or penetrating oil)

• Chip brush or foam brush

• Drop cloth, gloves, safety glasses and a respirator for oil-based products

Before You Start: Check Your Current Finish

How you refinish depends on what is on the wood now.

Tip: Stick with the same type of finish when you can. Switching between oil-based and water-based products can cause adhesion problems.

Step-by-step Guide on How to Refinish Furniture:

Here’s the process of wood furniture refinishing:  

Step: 1 - Sanding the Wood 

 

The first step to refinishing rocking outdoor furniture is to sand off the damaged layer and get a smooth, clean and healthy surface. 
Use a random orbit sander and 80-grit sandpaper to get a perfect and smooth surface area. If you want even further smoothing, go over it with 120-grit sandpaper.

Things to keep in mind: 

• Don’t overdo the sanding, as a strong finish is more important in patio furniture. 
• Sand in long strokes with the wood grain for a smooth and even texture.
  

Step:2 - Cleaning 

Once you are done with the sanding, blow the furniture off and clean it with a cloth to make it completely dust free. 

To make your cleaning effective, clean the furniture by dipping the tack cloth in a mineral spirit and wiping the surface. 

Step: 3 - Apply Stain 

 The next step in finishing wood furniture is to apply a stain. Shake the stain can thoroughly to mix all the pigments well. Using a cotton rag or chip brush, apply slow and even strokes of stain with wood grain.

Let the stain dry for 10-15 minutes or, according to the manufacturer’s recommendations, before wiping off excess with a clean rag for an even finish.

Things to keep in mind: 

If you are applying an oil-based stain, provide enough ventilation to avoid fume build-up by the higher VOC content. 

Step:4 - Applying Finish: 

Technically, the last step of refinishing the wood is to apply the finish. It’s pretty much the same as applying stain, but with the finish, you have to be extra careful to prevent drips and runs, especially around the joints, as they are more likely to hold a little finish resulting in drips. 

If you opt for a wiping finish, you will need at least three coats to protect your rocking outdoor furniture. Before applying the next coat of finish, let the previous coat dry entirely and scuff it with a fine sanding sponge. Lastly, clean the surface with a tack cloth to remove any sanding dust before applying the next coat of finish. 

The final step is to let everything dry for at least 24 hrs. before using it. 

Note: 

Many people keep their outdoor furniture with stains only but applying finish seals the wood and protect it from moisture. 

Step: 5 - Embellishing or Decorating Your Furniture: 

If you are a creative person and want to give a unique identity to your outdoor furniture, including outdoor glider chairs, decorating furniture is the best way to let your creativity flow in. 
For example, you can decorate an outdoor glider chair by colouring it your way, wrapping bright and shining ribbons around it, or painting a beautiful thing on it. And if you like the soft, soothing sound, you can add a series of bells to your rocking chair.
Moreover, you can also add colorful accessories or pillows to make your furniture more cosy and comfortable.  

Things to note while refinishing wood furniture: 

• Changing finishes frequently affects the wood quality and compatibility.
  
  
• Choose a garage, workshop, or any other shady area for refinishing to protect it from rain, extreme sunlight, dust, leaves, and other harmful environmental components.
  
  
• Place a drop cloth or plastic to keep the floor clean and tidy.
  

As you now know how to refinish wood furniture, if you are wondering how to protect outdoor wood furniture, let’s have a look at the factors that affect your patio furniture:

Wood Damaging Factors: 

Climate:

Climate and UV rays are two of the significant factors that degrade the quality of your wood furniture. UV rays break down the lignin in the wood - the bond that keeps wood fibers together and strengthens it. 

When lignin breakdowns, it causes the wood surface to turn grey/silver and the development of checks, followed by wood drying. 

Greying of wood becomes a problem for softwoods as they are vulnerable to checking, cupping, and warping, leading to water damage.

Wood Rot: 

Wood rot is the silent killer for your furniture caused by a fungus, and the good news is that you can prevent it easily.

If you are living at 40°F or higher temperatures, keep the wood dry to prevent wood rot. Remember, wet wood is not a problem; keeping it wet is. 

Maintaining Outdoor Furniture:

Maintaining your outdoor furniture is equally important after refinishing it. Here are some maintenance tips that will help you enjoy your furniture for a longer time: 

• Avoid letting your outdoor furniture sit in sunlight for too long.

• Cover your furniture or bring it inside when you are not using it.

• Avoid leaving your furniture on dirt or grass for a long time to prevent moisture damage.

• Store your furniture in an area that has good air flow.

• Keep space between sharp objects and the furniture to keep the surface in good condition.

• Dust your furniture on a regular basis.

• Refresh the wood finish on your outdoor furniture regularly using wax or oil.

• Do not use power washers to clean your furniture.

• If you see any damage or problems, fix them soon as possible.

Conclusion:

We hope, with this guide, you have no doubts or confusion about how to refinish wood furniture and how to protect outdoor wood furniture. Follow all the steps, and we are 100% sure you will make it to the end! 

It is no wonder that maintaining outdoor furniture is easier than refinishing it from scratch. If you maintain your furniture well, you will need to refinish it once every two to three years, depending on the furniture material, quality, and other external conditions.

If you have any questions or queries regarding outdoor furniture, feel free to email us at sales@rockingfurniture.com or call us at (888) 412-2269 for a quick response.