Go in small sections. In terms of the type of wood, you can opt to seal decks made of pressure-treated pine wood with a solid stain, but high-quality hardwood furniture doesn’t deserve to be spoiled in this manner. 7. After reading this post, we are sure that you will be more aware of these various finishes. Disclosure: BobVila.com participates in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for publishers to earn fees by linking to Amazon.com and affiliated sites. Don’t think cover, think encapsulate. After smoothing the stained wood, apply a sealer coat of thinned shellac, sanding sealer, or other appropriate sealer. For those who have wooden outdoor furniture, however, stains and sealers can be a smart choice. I’m torn between applying a film-forming finish, such as paint, opaque stain, or exterior varnish, or a penetrating-oil finish. Because stain is thinner than paint, it’s a good idea to keep a bucket of water and a clean rag handy; that way, you can easily address accidental drips. If you do this regularly, it won’t take long each time you do it. Outdoor Wood Furniture Sealer TIPS. Situate your furniture where it won't be under a drip line from a roof or tree limb. That goes for the joints, underneath, even the bottoms of the legs. Add a second coat (once the first has dried) for a smoother finished look. The decks are usually subjected to harsher conditions and the seals hold well. Most stains should be sealed to prevent bleeding. In fact, if you are staining with any opacity other than a solid color, do not use a primer at all, since primers are white in color and will show through translucent and transparent stains. Staining and painting outdoor furniture is a lot easier with expert advice to guide you. But these exotic hardwoods can be very expensive and difficult to source, (and terrible for our environment, as they are often shipped around the world and much slower renewing than a locally grown softwood). Allow at least 24 hours for the wood to dry completely. Scrub any spots that are especially dirty, rinsing them with water as you go. The big moment! Be sure to check the undersides, too. You agree that BobVila.com may process your data in the manner described by our Privacy Policy. Stain the main part of the furniture using a 3” paintbrush. A Note on Grain: If you use ARBORCOAT® Solid (640) or Impervex®, the wood grain will be completely covered, however you will still be able to enjoy some of your outdoor wood furniture’s natural texture. An occasional light wash with dish detergent and warm water will help you enjoy your freshly stained or painted outdoor wood furniture for years to come. You can control the shading, to a point, by how long you leave the stain on the wood before wiping up the excess. Note that many outdoor stains are meant to be added when your local temperature is within a certain range, so carefully check for the recommendation listed on the packaging of the product you plan to use. Sand First: Before painting, sand the surface down to bare wood (or use a chemical wood stripper), so your primer will adhere well to the wood. There's no need to replace what isn't broken. Put on rubber gloves and open a can of oil-based penetrating stain. You can skip priming altogether if the old painted or stained surface is still intact after sanding; the first coat of stain will act as your primer. If you have wicker furniture, wrought iron patio furniture, plastic outdoor furniture, or questions on painting any other type of outdoor furniture, visit your local, independently owned Benjamin More retailer to get expert prep instructions and product recommendations. ARBORCOAT® offers a range of colors and opacities, including: Also available in any Benjamin Moore color, Impervex® Latex High Gloss paint provides full color and a glossy sheen with a sleek finished look. One of the most important aspects of protecting your furniture is to know what kind of weather you will be dealing with. … Spread an even coat of the cleaner all over the wood. By Jennifer Noonan. And here’s how to stain and finish wood:. The Ready Seal needs no introduction. Most water-based stain/sealants have tiny particles of pigment and resin that adhere to each other very tightly as the finish dries, similar to a patchwork quilt. 6. Whether you go with an opacity that allows your wood furniture’s natural grain to show through or opt for an opaque solid in your choice of 3,500+ colors, a fresh stain on outdoor furniture will yield a great new look. An opaque penetrating stain will hide the different wood species - more on this is a second. Water causes outdoor lumber to crack; Clean outdoor wood with Stain Solver oxygen bleach; WATCH videos below for tips; Use a synthetic-resin pigmented sealer for best results; CLICK HERE to Get Tim's FREE & FUNNY Newsletter! People often use the word “staining” interchangeably with finishing or sealing, which technically isn’t correct. How to Seal Wooden Furniture. ARBORCOAT® Exterior Stain is formulated to protect against the harshest weather conditions as well as UV rays. If the old finish is in bad condition, you may choose to remove all the old finish down to the bare wood. This can be accomplished with a quality wood stain remover such as Benjamin Moore® REMOVE (315). Start with 120-grit sandpaper on refinished pieces. That said, stain helps outdoor wood look nicer for a longer period of time. … First off, the NANO version also adopts common features of Seal-Once such as the eco-safe, quick-dry, and water-based formula, as well as the tinted ingredients to give off extra UV protection. Even if your furniture is made of the best types of wood for outdoor furniture, you need to ensure that the finish on your furniture is conducive to outdoor use. Beginning at the highest point, brush on your stain in the direction of the wood grain. An easy way to look after your wooden furniture and make it look great is to lightly sand it back and then apply an oil or stain to help protect it. If you are painting or staining over wood with a solid color—we recommend either ARBORCOAT® Solid (640) or a high-gloss paint like Impervex® Latex High Gloss—use Benjamin Moore's Fresh Start® High-Hiding All Purpose Primer (046) or ARBORCOAT® Oil Primer (366). Explore how to get your next DIY project done–and done right. Doing so will help the primer adhere to the material. Work the stain into the wood with the clean rag, always rubbing with the grain. Wipe off any stain not absorbed by the wood. Any outdoor project that involves wood, such as decking, fencing and exterior furniture, will face aging and wear from sunlight, rain, humidity and more. Remove the masking tape and stain the remaining parts of the furniture with the accent stain color. Ready Seal Exterior Stain and Sealer for Wood. There are different types of finish that you can use on your outdoor furniture. Also, for optimal curing, make sure that your stain will be able to dry completely. Use a clean dry rag to wipe off excess stain. There are lots and lots of color choices, from traditional tones to bright hues. New furniture should also be lightly sanded to remove any rough splinters. If the old surface has stains from mold or mildew, you can properly prepare the surface by using a premium cleaner like Benjamin Moore® Clean (318). Unsubscribe Anytime. For mild cases, you can mix up your own solution using one part of household bleach to three parts water (it's best to do this outdoors or in a well-ventilated area.) After each round of sanding, wipe down the furniture with a tack cloth and some mineral spirits. Step 1: Prep Your Surface Clean your furniture with a tack cloth to gently remove any dust or grime from the wood. Sandpaper with a lower grit number will make wood rougher, allowing more stain to absorb and create a darker color. Stir the Behr Premium ®️ Semi-Transparent Waterproofing Stain & Sealer with a stir stick, and use a paintbrush to apply the stain to your patio furniture (Sprouse went with shade California Rustic for a bright-yet-understated look), brushing in the direction of the wood grain. While paint offers a colorful, protective coating, exterior wood stain not only provides a shield against the elements, it can bring out the wood’s natural beauty. Prev Next . Visit your local Benjamin Moore store or contact Customer Support. This formula does not require a wood primer to adhere to the surface. This guide will teach you the various methods on how to stain wood and wood-staining techniques. Outdoor Wood Chaise Longue Makeover: Stain the Furniture To be safe, test your stain on an area that isn’t visible on the furniture to make sure it’s the color you really want. One of the most common questions that we get around here is simple, “Do I need to seal my furniture with a protective clear coat after painting it?” When you demand an official answer, I Use a penetrating stain to moisturize cedar wood furniture that has knots or deep surface textures. If the weather is cold, move the furniture indoors to dry; in milder weather, it's enough to place the furniture in a garage, carport, or other shelter from the rain. Then, using tack cloth, wipe down the piece to remove any small pieces of dust.. Open and stir your stain. Wear latex gloves so you don’t stain your skin. The first step in staining or painting outdoor furniture is to make certain that the wood is absolutely dry and free of mold and mildew. Staining is done using a tinted coating which is a bit similar to paint. Allow the stain to dry 6 to 8 hours. Use linseed or Tung oil to create a beautiful and protective hand-rubbed finish. (For example, in my own project, I detached the swings and climbing gear from our children’s play set.) Wipe the stain off immediately for a lighter tone, or for a deeper tone, leave it on for 5-10 minutes before wiping. Have More Questions? Copyright © 2020 Acton Media Inc. All rights reserved. The stain can only be applied on warm days (above 10ºC) and there’s no rain forecast. Follow these steps to achieve the best results. So, while opaque finishes might be the best outdoor wood sealer for gazebos, sidings, and fences, they aren’t ideal for decks and outdoor furniture. A penetrating stain will moisturize the wood from within, and eliminate peeling and blistering … Wood seals are designed for outdoor wood such as decks and furniture, so in your case, they will do a great job. If applicable, remove all peripherals and extras from the outdoor wood piece you are staining. There are a range of different colours and finishes to choose from. Use stains that contain water repellent and mildew inhibitors. How do you seal a stained wood deck? On an old furniture piece, clean the surface with a soft cloth dampened with commercial wood … So you’ve started furniture painting and want to know how to seal painted furniture?Guess what? It's best to work in the shade … Apply cedar wood stain, instead of a top-coat sealant, for a non-shiny look. Once the wood has dried, dampen the entire surface of your wood patio furniture once more, and pour some Behr Premium ®️ All-in-One Wood Cleaner into a pump sprayer (refer to instructions on product, and dilute if necessary). Use an outdoor grade sealant and be sure to note if it is clear or colored. Tape over any unremovable parts of the wood piece that you do not wish to stain, such as metal bolt heads. Get Inspired: See color and design inspiration for outdoor furniture on our decks page, and explore ARBORCOAT®’s timeless palette of driftwood grays, warm russets and woodland greens. Brush on the primer working with the grain using a high-quality Benjamin Moore Nylon/Polyester brush. Time to stain? Use a tinted stain for added richness or a darker color. There are three surefire ways to waterproof your wood for years to come. Step 1: If you didn’t have to strip a finish off of your piece, go ahead and use a fine grit (like#220) sandpaper to polish your piece.Break down the edges for a more finished look. That makes it very easy to get apply a sealer into the nooks and crannies of your furniture. Sealing painted furniture and looking for the best top coat for painted furniture, or how to seal painted furniture?Look no further, this step by step tutorial with video walks you through how to seal painted wood using a sponge applicator.. Once the furniture is dry, you're good to go. The importance of waterproofing outdoor furniture: And just for comparison, here is what happens when your table is not sealed. If you are staining outdoor wood furniture, consider a product that’s strong enough to protect decks: ARBORCOAT® Exterior Stain. An orbital hand sander is the perfect tool for this job, if you have one. It is well used as decking on yachts and other boats because of its ultimate weather resistance. Another good way to protect your outdoor wooden furniture is varnish. Use a rag you don’t mind dirtying; the wood stain would be incredibly difficult to wash out. Staining and sealing outdoor wood is among the best ways to protect […] If the old finish is in fairly good condition, it's enough to just roughen the surface. If you are staining outdoor wood furniture, why not go for a product that’s strong enough to protect decks? That will quickly cause rot, swelling, discoloration, and more. To make sure that the stain and the sealant are compatible, it is always good to use products on the same type of base (eg water) and preferably from the same brand. Don't cover the furniture with plastic or a tarp, as that will not allow enough air circulation for thorough drying. Teak wood furniture is long-lasting and when you buy outdoor wood furniture teak is probably the most popular option, but it still comes at a high price tag. Preparation. Staining and sealing outdoor wood is among the best ways to protect it from the elements. Apply deck wash (or a homemade water-and-bleach solution) with a pump sprayer to clean the surface. 4. Strictly speaking, pressure-treated wood does not require staining. Start with coarse-grade sandpaper, working with the grain, then move to a finer grade sandpaper until you obtain a smooth finish. Sand the entire surface that will be sealed. Don't leave it outside to dry, as wind and air may deposit dust and particles onto the wet surface. ... prior to applying the waterproofing sealer. Wipe off the excess stain using a clean cloth. Outdoor Wood Chaise Longue Makeover: Stain the Furniture. 5. Perhaps the only benefit of wooden outdoor furniture being exposed to the elements is the fact that this often loosens old finish, allowing for a relatively painless removal. With a paint brush and a weekend of work, you can add a lot of character to your property this way. Whether you’re working on an Adirondack chair or a swing set (like I did), the same do-it-yourself process applies. The next step is to sand the surfaces to be stained. I’m preparing to build an outdoor furniture set, including chairs, tables, and other pieces. To stain wooden furniture, start by sanding it with 100-grit sandpaper, followed by 150-grit sandpaper, and finally with 220-grit sandpaper. For best results, the wood you are staining should be free of dirt and mildew. Make sure the wood is clean. Selecting Wood Species for Outdoor Furniture. Let the furniture dry in a clean, dust-free, well-ventilated area. Wood staining is the process of enhancing the color of the wood to bring out the visibility of its beautiful natural grain. Your outdoor furniture receives the worst of Mother Nature's extremes. To seal outdoor wood furniture, you need to select a high-quality exterior penetrating stain in your preferred color and a primer. Learning how to apply stain allows you to bring out wood's rich colors and textures. Teak wood is used mainly for outdoor furniture, however, you can see it used as a decking too. Receive The Latest Inspiration and Advice. Then apply the stain all over with an old (but clean) T-shirt or cloth. Then apply the stain all over with an old (but clean) T-shirt or cloth. The nice thing about a water sealer is that it not only protects your furniture from moisture outside, but it will also allow damp wood within the sealant to dry faster in order to avoid splitting, rotting, and warping. For best results, the wood you are staining should be free of dirt and mildew. The longer you leave on the stain before wiping, the darker the color. You mix the pure powder with warm water, stir until its dissolved and then brush or spray it onto the outdoor wood. Do not use shellac with NGR or water-base stains. © 2020 Benjamin Moore & Co. 101 Paragon Drive, Montvale, NJ 07645. Outdoors, stain helps wood furniture or backyard equipment look at home in the landscape. Use Varnish. To be safe, test your stain on an area that isn’t visible on the furniture to make sure it’s the color you really want. There are many different types of outdoor furniture types—wicker, wrought iron, aluminum and plastic—but wood is by far the most popular. Work in a dry, well-ventilated space (indoors, if there are high humidity levels or rain is in the forecast). My recommendation for staining or sealing outdoor furniture is to use a paint sprayer. Refinish regularly; Seal Completely: Don’t leave any of the wood unfinished – seal every nook and cranny and fill all cracks. This will not only protect your wooden tables and chairs but also keep them looking new. Be sure to rinse the furniture and allow it to completely dry before applying the stain. You can use a roller, paint brush, or paint sprayer on a deck. And you can apply it at any temperature. What’s the best route? Ideally, we'd all build furniture out of teak or other naturally rot resistant hardwoods. Try to work in long, even strokes and … Over time, wood, metal and plastic furniture pieces can begin to look worn from the weather. It will begin to bubble and foam as the oxygen ions attack mold, mildew, algae, sun-damage old sealers and dirt. Brush a coat of polyurethane varnish onto the surface, then finish up with long, light brush strokes to remove bubbles and lap marks. Outdoor wood coatings are typically formulated with either water or oil. It’s easier than you think. Jennifer Noonan, 12 Storage Solutions for the Utility Closet, 12 Exterior Paint Colors to Help Sell Your House, The 8 Painting Mistakes Almost Everyone Makes. Not quite. On-screen and printer color representations may vary from actual paint colors. If you plan to finish the piece with polyurethane, make sure the sealer is compatible. Apply deck wash (or a homemade water-and-bleach solution) with a pump sprayer to clean the … You can refinish your outdoor furniture with paint or stain and make it look new again. There's two basic types of wood finishes for outdoor furniture - film-formers and penetrators. For the stain to work properly, weathered, varnish or oiled wood needs to be sanded back to the bare wood. Outdoor wood furniture requires regular maintenance, and cleaning is only the first step. Steve Maxwell shows a couple of his favourite techniques for staining and sealing interior woodwork. That means watching the weather forecast and if necessary, interrupting the regular operation of your lawn irrigation system. Stir the stain well, then use a clean cloth to rub the stain into the wood in a circular motion. Dip in a foam brush and begin to apply the stain in one area of the wood with the grain. In addition, the right stain or sealer can make the natural beauty of wood and wood grains even more enticing. And, the next among the best wood sealant for outdoor furniture is Seal-Once Nano Wood Sealer & Stain. 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