Due to the fact that wooden outdoor furniture is often exposed to the elements, including rain, snow, ice, sunlight and extreme heat, these pieces require very specific care, maintenance and upkeep on at least a semi-regular basis. For many individuals, refinishing wooden outdoor furniture is viewed as a complete mystery or an annoying task. Rather than purchasing new furniture or paying professional painters and repairmen, you can easily refinish wooden outdoor items by following a few easy, basic tips. Removing the Old Finish 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. Whether you are attempting to remove wood stain or paint, the easiest first step to take in removal of the old finish is to use a power washer or high pressure hose (high pressure hoses can be found at most modern car washes). Spraying the furniture with a power washer or high pressure hose not only removes dirt and debris, but often removes excess flaking of the original finish.

Once the item has thoroughly dried, sanding is typically required to remove the remaining finish and ensure a smooth and even surface. Applying the New Finish When it comes to refinishing most furniture, the method of application often comes into question. While some individuals prefer to use traditional paintbrushes, foam brushes are an excellent alternative. Much like traditional paintbrushes, foam brushes are available in a wide variety of sizes, allowing for usage in the tiniest of nooks and crannies. The benefits of foam brushes that traditional paintbrushes fail to offer include an even and soft texture, the ability to soak in excess paint or stain, and nearly mess-free use. Allowing the New Finish to Dry The amount of time required for the paint or stain to dry thoroughly typically depends upon the product and manufacturer. It is important to study product packaging to ensure you understand the amount of time required for complete drying. Many individuals make the mistake of leaving wet and freshly finished outdoor furniture outside while drying.

This often results in dirt and debris being dried into the paint or stain. To prevent unwanted debris from making contact with the finish, it is wise to allow the finish to dry to a tacky texture and move indoors (such as a shed or garage). to Painting and Decorating Library Index The beauty and durability of any stain job depend on both the quality of theSweetheart Wedding Dresses With Bling stain and proper surface preparation. Gray 63 Inch CurtainsJust as you wouldn't wax a car withoutPuppies For Sale In Nebraska Cheap washing it first, you shouldn't stain a house without cleaning it first. Homeowners often spend hours choosing just the right stain product and color, yet give little or no thought to surface preparation.

however, that proper preparation ensures a long lasting stain application and eliminates many problems before they start. For the Do-It-Yourselfer, follow these steps to properly prepare a wood surface for coating: Look for problem areas and obvious construction defects. be in a good, sound condition and wood should not be eroding, rotting orThen check for surface contaminants such as mildew stains, cedar bleed, dirt and chalkiness. You must remove such contaminants before applying the stain, but remember – there is no single cure for every surface problem. To ensure wood is ready to be stained, always perform a tape test. press a piece of tape firmly against the surface to be stained, then tear it away and examine the back. The presence of old stain or loose wood fibers on the tape could indicate a potential moisture problem. entering the wood accounts for many problems, such as peeling, premature wood erosion, rot or decay, the surface must be dry at the time of staining, with a

moisture reading of 15 percent or less. Also, the surface must be situated so as not to absorb or collect excessiveA solid-bodied stain or paint will not peel unless moisture forces it off the surface. Other surface problems, such as premature erosion of the wood, may result from neglect or severe weather exposure. staining, replace rotting or decayed wood and remove loose stain and eroded wood fibers by sanding, scraping or power washing the problem surfaces. Once the surface is in good condition, re-inspect for dirt, mildew stains, cedar bleed, chalkiness and other foreign substances. It is important to identify each type of contaminant, as each requires its own treatment. stains, dirt, soot and other pollutants often appear as black dots or specks on To determine the correct treatment, apply a small amount of fresh household bleach to these black areas. If the dark discoloration lightens quickly, mildewDirt, soot and other pollutants will not change color but

may simply move within the bleach solution. For the most effective removal of mildew stains, dirt, soot and other pollutants, use a cleaning solution that contains sodium hypochlorite (active ingredient in household bleach), sodium metasilicate (non-ammoniated detergent/wetting agent), and calcium hypochlorite (strong oxidizing agent) such as Cabot Problem-Solver Cleaner. All three ingredients are important because each has a specific function in the proper cleaning of the substrate. Chalkiness may be detected by rubbing your hand or a clean cloth over theIf you detect flakiness on your hand or cloth, the previous stain application is breaking down and causing the chalking. reapplication, remove the chalkiness with a detergent wash that includes sodiumAgain, Cabot Problem-Solver Cleaner is a good option. Cedar bleed (tannic acid) is reddish brown discoloration that may make old stain applications appear blotchy or uneven. Test for it by applying a ferrous

sulfate solution to the discolored surface. If the solution turns from its natural color to blue-black, the wood has been affected by cedar bleed. sulfate is not commonly available at retail, but homeowners can call Cabot's Technical Services & Support for assistance (1-800-US-STAIN). based solution like Cabot Problem-Solver Brightener will effectively remove the discoloration and is readily available. It also removes nail and metal rust Furthermore, Cabot Problem-Solver Primer is recommended for use on extractive-prone wood species such as red cedar, redwood, mahogany and fir. is also excellent when applied to pine, cypress, spruce, and evenThis product has exceptional adhesive properties and can be applied immediately to new, dry, unseasoned, mill-glazed (smooth) siding. If the thought of scraping and sanding loose peeling stain is daunting, consider renting a pressure washer from your local home improvement store. the pressure washer is not always a cure-all (there are occasions when scraping

and sanding may be necessary), using the right pressure washer and technique will tackle most jobs with ease. For general cleaning on wood, a tip of 40 degrees and 500 psi (pounds per square inch) is adequate. can produce poor results and damage your wood. Below are a few pointers to consider especially for siding: On siding, always wash from the bottom up and rinse from the top down. the nozzle or tip at least 8-10 inches away from the surface and perpendicular to the siding to avoid forcing water behind siding. While holding the tip perpendicular to the siding, it may be tilted at a slight angle to the siding to allow the pressure stream to get under loose stain and lift it off. windows and do not use the pressure washer on the windows as damage may result. Do not spray directly at or into light fixtures, electrical outlets, gable-end vents, crawl spaces or open eaves. Refrain from using a pressure washer on a windy day to avoid damage related to overspray.