Best Selling Home & Garden Furniture – Folding Furniture – Patio Furniture

Anything that is exposed to the elements over time is bound to acquire signs of wear. This is especially true of objects like patio furniture which is not only exposed to wind and rain but also the same wear and tear that any piece of furniture must withstand. However, rather than replacing patio furniture every few years, it is possible to refinish it and end up with a patio set that looks new at a fraction of the cost.

The first step in staining and refinishing patio furniture is to clean it. This allows for a clear picture of just what kind of shape the furniture is in. If the only defects are minor chips and scratches, a simple can of matching stain from any hardware store may be all that is necessary to return the furniture to an almost-new condition. However, in the event that large areas need to be restained or the current look is simply too outdated or does not fit well with the rest of the décor, a more in-depth refinishing project is in order. Unless the desired stain color is a good deal darker than the furniture’s current color, the best way to start is to get a stripping solution and remove as much of the current stain as possible.

This also has the added benefit of giving the new stain much better purchase in the wood. The amount of time it takes to strip the furniture depends on the amount of previous stain applied, but particularly with newer furniture where the stain and topcoat are applied as one, it can be a surprisingly quick process. After stripping, wash away the residue from the stripping solution with mineral spirits. If there are any serious dents in the furniture, this is a good time to fill them and sand them down even with the rest of the surface. If the new stain color is to be darker than the previous and therefore stripping was not required, the rest of the surfaces should also be lightly sanded so the new stain will be able to take hold evenly.

After all sanding is completed, one more wash is necessary to make sure that all surfaces are clean, otherwise the stain may not apply evenly. Staining can be done either with a sprayer or with a paintbrush. Sprayers are much faster, but it can be difficult for a novice to get an even coating. Regardless of application technique, it is important to select a stain that is able to withstand the elements. These are available at almost any hardware store. Refinishing wooden patio furniture is a good way to make it look new without costing a large amount of money.

The entire look of an outdoor set can be changed every few years if that is what is desired. It is also something that a homeowner can do for him or herself relatively quickly and easily.