Maintenance and refinishing an outdoor patio bench
You loved your wooden outdoor patio bench when you first brought it home. It was as lovely as the flowers and shrubs that embraced it. But now after a year or two, your patio bench is starting to look more like a weed than a garden ornament. If it is showing those inevitable signs of weathering and wear, don't worry. You can bring back the luster and appeal of your outdoor patio bench by using a little elbow grease and a little know-how.
If your patio bench is a painted one, you will have to take several steps to bring life back into the wood and those steps will have to be repeated every year or two. Before beginning your project, make sure you have a clean work space and adequate ventilation. You will be removing paint from the surface, so it is recommended that you wear protective eye gear and also a filtering mask to protect yourself from ingesting paint particles if removing the paint through a sanding process; or to protect you from inhaling harmful fumes if you use a paint stripper to remove the paint.
If you choose to use the sanding method to prepare your bench for repainting, you will have to determine the existing damage to your bench before you begin. If the grain of the wood is raised quite a bit and the surfaces of your bench are uneven, use an electric sander with sanding paper that is coarse (grit number 60 or 80). If the surface damage is not extreme, medium sandpaper (grit number 100 or 120) should work to remove the paint. If the surface damage is minimal, use a fine sandpaper (grit number 150 or 180) to rough the paint up enough that the new paint will adhere to the surface. When sanding, whether using an electric sander or a hand sander, always make sure you sand with the grain of the wood.
If you choose to use a chemical stripper to remove your paint (or varnish), make sure you wear rubber gloves and have excellent ventilation as you work. Apply the chemical stripper as directed on the container. You will probably want to pour some of the chemical stripper into a wide can, like a coffee can, so you can dip your brush into it for ease in application. (Use an old brush because the stripper will probably damage the brush beyond usability.) Most chemical stripper directions advise you to put a thick coat of the stripper on the surface, but don't brush like you are painting; you are just trying to put a coat on the surface, but not a smooth one. Once the stripper is on the surface, it usually immediately starts to bubble. If you keep brushing, it will just gum up without working as deeply as it would if left alone for the allotted time stated on the directions. (Usually the directions have you leave the stripper on the area for 15 to 20 minutes before you scrape off the lifted paint with a putty knife or paint scraper.) Keep in mind that it usually takes one coat of chemical stripper to remove one coat of paint. If your bench has several coats of paint or varnish, the process of removing the paint or varnish may require several applications. After the paint is removed, you will need to sand the surface to get rid of any raised areas or residue varnish or dried stripper agent.
When the majority of the paint has been removed and the surface is smooth and ready to be given a new coat of paint, make sure you clean all surfaces thoroughly. Any grease or dirt left on the surface will damage the new finish. You can clean the area with warm water and a mild detergent. Make sure you squeeze the excess moisture out of the cleaning cloth before applying it to the surface, as excess moisture can cause the grain of the wood to rise, and you may get an uneven surface. When the bench is totally dry, you can begin to paint.
The first step of the painting stage will be to choose a primer and a paint that is suitable for outdoors. Exterior enamels are the most weather resistant, though there are some good exterior latex paints that are available now too. Make sure that you choose a compatible primer and paint. They either should both be enamel or they have to both be latex, as combining latex with enamel will cause the paint to adhere improperly. The primer is painted on first. This helps seal the wood and helps the paint adhere to the surface. Primer is applied by brush, following the grain of the wood. Let the primer dry for the time recommended on its container. When the primer is dry, you may begin to paint.
There are several methods of applying paint. After the paint has been stirred using a mixer attachment on your power drill, or a paint stirring stick (do not shake the paint can as that may cause bubbles in your painted surface) you must choose the method of paint application. You can apply the paint the simple, old fashioned way, with a brush. If you use a brush make sure that your brush strokes go in the direction of the grain of the wood. If you use outdoor paint from an aerosol can, make sure you spray in the direction of the wood grain and that your paint overlaps evenly. If you use an electric sprayer, you will probably waste less paint than you do with an aerosol can, but using an electric sprayer requires a little practice before you can become error free with it. If using an electric sprayer, make sure you never bring the nozzle close to your skin or eyes or use it where children or pets may get in the way of the paint stream as it can inject paint under the skin. Also, an electric sprayer must be cleaned thoroughly immediately after use.
Let the bench dry thoroughly after applying the first coat. If you prefer a more durable and smooth finish, you may want to apply an additional coat of paint.
If your bench has a varnished finish, you will want to follow the steps for sanding or stripping as described for a painted bench. If you need to restain the bench, you will need to remove all old varnish. If you have a natural wood bench or don't need to restain, you only need to sand down the rough spots, clean the surface and apply a new coat of varnish.
The varnish you choose for your patio bench should be one that has been developed for outdoor use. Outdoor varnish is often called a spar varnish or a marine varnish. It is usually dries more slowly than an indoor varnish, taking 12 to 48 hours to dry completely, but it is definitely more resistant to the elements than indoor varnishes. There is some variation in drying time within varnish brands, so be sure to consult the container for application recommendations and drying time. As with paint, varnish is applied in even strokes by a paint brush or by an electric sprayer. It is best to pour the varnish into a container as you work if you apply by brush. This will prevent dried flecks of varnish from falling into the container and contaminating your unused portion of varnish.
To help the finish on your patio bench last longer, keep it in a protected area where sunlight, wind, and rain exposure are kept to a minimum, and store it in an enclosed structure during the winter months if you live where there is snow and extreme cold conditions. Also, clean your patio bench periodically with a warm water and mild soap mixture. Dirt is one of the main culprits when it comes to ruining outdoor furniture finishes.
A little caution, some simple refinishing, a few hours of your time, and your outdoor patio bench will soon hold its own against the backdrop of your green thumb.
If your patio bench is a painted one, you will have to take several steps to bring life back into the wood and those steps will have to be repeated every year or two. Before beginning your project, make sure you have a clean work space and adequate ventilation. You will be removing paint from the surface, so it is recommended that you wear protective eye gear and also a filtering mask to protect yourself from ingesting paint particles if removing the paint through a sanding process; or to protect you from inhaling harmful fumes if you use a paint stripper to remove the paint.
If you choose to use the sanding method to prepare your bench for repainting, you will have to determine the existing damage to your bench before you begin. If the grain of the wood is raised quite a bit and the surfaces of your bench are uneven, use an electric sander with sanding paper that is coarse (grit number 60 or 80). If the surface damage is not extreme, medium sandpaper (grit number 100 or 120) should work to remove the paint. If the surface damage is minimal, use a fine sandpaper (grit number 150 or 180) to rough the paint up enough that the new paint will adhere to the surface. When sanding, whether using an electric sander or a hand sander, always make sure you sand with the grain of the wood.
If you choose to use a chemical stripper to remove your paint (or varnish), make sure you wear rubber gloves and have excellent ventilation as you work. Apply the chemical stripper as directed on the container. You will probably want to pour some of the chemical stripper into a wide can, like a coffee can, so you can dip your brush into it for ease in application. (Use an old brush because the stripper will probably damage the brush beyond usability.) Most chemical stripper directions advise you to put a thick coat of the stripper on the surface, but don't brush like you are painting; you are just trying to put a coat on the surface, but not a smooth one. Once the stripper is on the surface, it usually immediately starts to bubble. If you keep brushing, it will just gum up without working as deeply as it would if left alone for the allotted time stated on the directions. (Usually the directions have you leave the stripper on the area for 15 to 20 minutes before you scrape off the lifted paint with a putty knife or paint scraper.) Keep in mind that it usually takes one coat of chemical stripper to remove one coat of paint. If your bench has several coats of paint or varnish, the process of removing the paint or varnish may require several applications. After the paint is removed, you will need to sand the surface to get rid of any raised areas or residue varnish or dried stripper agent.
When the majority of the paint has been removed and the surface is smooth and ready to be given a new coat of paint, make sure you clean all surfaces thoroughly. Any grease or dirt left on the surface will damage the new finish. You can clean the area with warm water and a mild detergent. Make sure you squeeze the excess moisture out of the cleaning cloth before applying it to the surface, as excess moisture can cause the grain of the wood to rise, and you may get an uneven surface. When the bench is totally dry, you can begin to paint.
The first step of the painting stage will be to choose a primer and a paint that is suitable for outdoors. Exterior enamels are the most weather resistant, though there are some good exterior latex paints that are available now too. Make sure that you choose a compatible primer and paint. They either should both be enamel or they have to both be latex, as combining latex with enamel will cause the paint to adhere improperly. The primer is painted on first. This helps seal the wood and helps the paint adhere to the surface. Primer is applied by brush, following the grain of the wood. Let the primer dry for the time recommended on its container. When the primer is dry, you may begin to paint.
There are several methods of applying paint. After the paint has been stirred using a mixer attachment on your power drill, or a paint stirring stick (do not shake the paint can as that may cause bubbles in your painted surface) you must choose the method of paint application. You can apply the paint the simple, old fashioned way, with a brush. If you use a brush make sure that your brush strokes go in the direction of the grain of the wood. If you use outdoor paint from an aerosol can, make sure you spray in the direction of the wood grain and that your paint overlaps evenly. If you use an electric sprayer, you will probably waste less paint than you do with an aerosol can, but using an electric sprayer requires a little practice before you can become error free with it. If using an electric sprayer, make sure you never bring the nozzle close to your skin or eyes or use it where children or pets may get in the way of the paint stream as it can inject paint under the skin. Also, an electric sprayer must be cleaned thoroughly immediately after use.
Let the bench dry thoroughly after applying the first coat. If you prefer a more durable and smooth finish, you may want to apply an additional coat of paint.
If your bench has a varnished finish, you will want to follow the steps for sanding or stripping as described for a painted bench. If you need to restain the bench, you will need to remove all old varnish. If you have a natural wood bench or don't need to restain, you only need to sand down the rough spots, clean the surface and apply a new coat of varnish.
The varnish you choose for your patio bench should be one that has been developed for outdoor use. Outdoor varnish is often called a spar varnish or a marine varnish. It is usually dries more slowly than an indoor varnish, taking 12 to 48 hours to dry completely, but it is definitely more resistant to the elements than indoor varnishes. There is some variation in drying time within varnish brands, so be sure to consult the container for application recommendations and drying time. As with paint, varnish is applied in even strokes by a paint brush or by an electric sprayer. It is best to pour the varnish into a container as you work if you apply by brush. This will prevent dried flecks of varnish from falling into the container and contaminating your unused portion of varnish.
To help the finish on your patio bench last longer, keep it in a protected area where sunlight, wind, and rain exposure are kept to a minimum, and store it in an enclosed structure during the winter months if you live where there is snow and extreme cold conditions. Also, clean your patio bench periodically with a warm water and mild soap mixture. Dirt is one of the main culprits when it comes to ruining outdoor furniture finishes.
A little caution, some simple refinishing, a few hours of your time, and your outdoor patio bench will soon hold its own against the backdrop of your green thumb.
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