It’s easier than you think. Don't try to cover the entire piece at once. 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. There's two basic types of wood finishes for outdoor furniture - film-formers and penetrators. 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. 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. Receive The Latest Inspiration and Advice. ARBORCOAT® Exterior Stain is formulated to protect against the harshest weather conditions as well as UV rays. Allow at least 24 hours for the wood to dry completely. With smart planning, painting and staining your outdoor furniture can take place in less than a weekend. My recommendation for staining or sealing outdoor furniture is to use a paint sprayer. For best results, the wood you are staining should be free of dirt and mildew. You can use a roller, paint brush, or paint sprayer on a deck. There are lots and lots of color choices, from traditional tones to bright hues. The decks are usually subjected to harsher conditions and the seals hold well. Let the furniture dry in a clean, dust-free, well-ventilated area. Use a clean dry rag to wipe off excess stain. The best way to stain wood is to prepare the wood surface by sanding it with a sanding block or orbital sander. Use a penetrating stain to moisturize cedar wood furniture that has knots or deep surface textures. Wipe off any stain not absorbed by the wood. There are a range of different colours and finishes to choose from. 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. Brush on the primer working with the grain using a high-quality Benjamin Moore Nylon/Polyester brush. Then apply the stain all over with an old (but clean) T-shirt or cloth. Do not use shellac with NGR or water-base stains. Wood stains are coatings that protect the surface of furniture while promoting a dramatic look from the natural grain. Follow these steps to achieve the best results. Have More Questions? People often use the word “staining” interchangeably with finishing or sealing, which technically isn’t correct. Visit your local Benjamin Moore store or contact Customer Support. Whether you’re working on an Adirondack chair or a swing set (like I did), the same do-it-yourself process applies. Start with 120-grit sandpaper on refinished pieces. 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. 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). 5. 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. Any outdoor project that involves wood, such as decking, fencing and exterior furniture, will face aging and wear from sunlight, rain, humidity and more. How do you seal outdoor wood furniture? 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. Doing so will help the primer adhere to the material. How to Seal Wooden Furniture. There's no need to replace what isn't broken. Also, for optimal curing, make sure that your stain will be able to dry completely. Use linseed or Tung oil to create a beautiful and protective hand-rubbed finish. Not quite. Ideally, we'd all build furniture out of teak or other naturally rot resistant hardwoods. Your outdoor furniture receives the worst of Mother Nature's extremes. If you do this regularly, it won’t take long each time you do it. That makes it very easy to get apply a sealer into the nooks and crannies of your furniture. And, the next among the best wood sealant for outdoor furniture is Seal-Once Nano Wood Sealer & Stain. Wood staining is the process of enhancing the color of the wood to bring out the visibility of its beautiful natural grain. Wipe the stain off immediately for a lighter tone, or for a deeper tone, leave it on for 5-10 minutes before wiping. Outdoors, stain helps wood furniture or backyard equipment look at home in the landscape. 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