Popular Houzz Series
Popular Houzz Series
Appears in
See also
Fun HouzzFrom The ProsHouzz Around The WorldProject Of The WeekStickybeak Of The WeekQuizzesCreatives At HomeAt Home With...Best Of The WeekRoom Of The WeekDesigner Profiles3 Things I Wish My Clients KnewHow Do I...Buyer's GuidesExpert EyeInnovation AlertSo Your Style Is...Spotted!Picture PerfectBefore & AfterBudget BreakdownHome TimeMade Local
How Do I... Rejuvenate My Outdoor Timber Furniture?
Summer entertaining season is almost upon us, which means it's time to give your outdoor wooden furniture some TLC
In this practical series, we ask experts to answer your burning home and garden questions. Here, Brian Hamilton, managing director of Tenaru and the Australian distributor of Sikkens woodcare-coating systems, gives you an easy step-by-step guide to sprucing up your outdoor timber furniture and getting it back to looking its best.
Before timber-care treatment
How do I know if my timber furniture needs TLC?
A rough, faded, peeling or unevenly toned surface – these are all telltale signs that it’s time to clean and re-coat. If a piece is in a very poor state, you may need to sand it back too.
How do I know if my timber furniture needs TLC?
A rough, faded, peeling or unevenly toned surface – these are all telltale signs that it’s time to clean and re-coat. If a piece is in a very poor state, you may need to sand it back too.
After timber-care treatment
What do I need to know about woodcare-coating systems?
There are two different types of timber coatings – water-based and oil-based.
Oil-based coatings
What do I need to know about woodcare-coating systems?
There are two different types of timber coatings – water-based and oil-based.
Oil-based coatings
- Penetrate the wood better than water-based coatings.
- Are more durable.
- Produce a more even finish.
- Take longer to dry.
- Emit a strong odour while drying.
- Clean up with mineral turps.
- Are more expensive.
Water-based coatings
- Last longer than oil-based coatings.
- Retain colour for longer.
- Are more mildew resistant.
- Emit less odour while drying.
- Emit lower VOCs and are more environmentally friendly.
- Clean up with soap and water.
- Are less expensive.
Which one should I use?
It’s generally best to use the same type of coating you previously used on the furniture. But if the existing coating is still sound and not flaking or peeling, it’s fine to apply another type of coating.
First, test a small amount with a sample pot in an inconspicuous spot on the piece of furniture. If the timber copes well, you can apply the new coating straight over the old one. If the timber reacts, you will need to sand back the entire piece before applying the new coating.
Tip: It’s worth paying more for a quality timber coating as it’s likely to be more durable, offer better protection against UV light and dirt, and last longer than a cheap one.
It’s generally best to use the same type of coating you previously used on the furniture. But if the existing coating is still sound and not flaking or peeling, it’s fine to apply another type of coating.
First, test a small amount with a sample pot in an inconspicuous spot on the piece of furniture. If the timber copes well, you can apply the new coating straight over the old one. If the timber reacts, you will need to sand back the entire piece before applying the new coating.
Tip: It’s worth paying more for a quality timber coating as it’s likely to be more durable, offer better protection against UV light and dirt, and last longer than a cheap one.
What do I need?
- A hose or pressure washer.
- A drop sheet or tarp.
- A stiff-bristled brush.
- Garden-furniture cleaner.
- Your chosen timber coating.
How do I go about it?
1. Spread drop sheets on your lawn, terrace or deck, and place your timber furniture on them.
2. Remove cobwebs from furniture by soaking a few sheets of paper towels in a bucket of diluted eucalyptus oil (around 10 to 15 millilitres of eucalyptus oil in half a bucket of water); gently wipe down each surface of the furniture.
3. Apply garden-furniture cleaner to the timber and work it in with a stiff-bristled brush. Leave to rest for 15 to 30 minutes.
4. Wash the cleaning residue off with a pressure washer or use a stiff-bristled brush and a hose set on high pressure.
5. When the timber is completely dry, apply a liberal coat of your chosen timber coating, following the direction of the grain. For best results, apply three coats, leaving two hours between each coat.
6. Depending on the weather, your furniture will usually dry completely and be ready to use in a couple of days.
1. Spread drop sheets on your lawn, terrace or deck, and place your timber furniture on them.
2. Remove cobwebs from furniture by soaking a few sheets of paper towels in a bucket of diluted eucalyptus oil (around 10 to 15 millilitres of eucalyptus oil in half a bucket of water); gently wipe down each surface of the furniture.
3. Apply garden-furniture cleaner to the timber and work it in with a stiff-bristled brush. Leave to rest for 15 to 30 minutes.
4. Wash the cleaning residue off with a pressure washer or use a stiff-bristled brush and a hose set on high pressure.
5. When the timber is completely dry, apply a liberal coat of your chosen timber coating, following the direction of the grain. For best results, apply three coats, leaving two hours between each coat.
6. Depending on the weather, your furniture will usually dry completely and be ready to use in a couple of days.
Do I need to sand furniture first?
Only if the surface of the timber is very rough or flaking, or if you’re using a different timber coating to the one you used last time.
If sanding, I’d recommend using a sheet of 120-grit sandpaper or a small, hand sander – these will allow you to get into all those nooks and crannies. Always sand downwards for a clean, dust-free finish. When you’re finished, wipe off any remaining dust with a damp cloth before applying timber coating.
Only if the surface of the timber is very rough or flaking, or if you’re using a different timber coating to the one you used last time.
If sanding, I’d recommend using a sheet of 120-grit sandpaper or a small, hand sander – these will allow you to get into all those nooks and crannies. Always sand downwards for a clean, dust-free finish. When you’re finished, wipe off any remaining dust with a damp cloth before applying timber coating.
What else is good to know?
It’s worth checking if your timber furniture needs refreshing in other ways too:
It’s worth checking if your timber furniture needs refreshing in other ways too:
- Check for protruding nail heads (you can countersink these with a nail punch).
- Test legs and joints to see if they’re loose and need tightening.
- Check for cracks or gouges that will need to be dealt with before coating furniture. Fill small holes (such as staple holes) with wood-tone putty sticks. Fill larger holes (such as nail holes or cracks) with a quick-drying wood filler.
Tell us
Did you find this story useful? Tell us in the Comments section below. And remember to like, share or bookmark this story. Join the conversation.
More
Find a specialty contractor near you
Did you find this story useful? Tell us in the Comments section below. And remember to like, share or bookmark this story. Join the conversation.
More
Find a specialty contractor near you
To keep your outdoor timber pieces in good shape, it’s a good idea to do this every 12 to 18 months – particularly if pieces are left in an exposed part of your garden or deck where the weather can do more damage.