The Ready Seal needs no introduction. Time to stain? Whether you’re working on an Adirondack chair or a swing set (like I did), the same do-it-yourself process applies. 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. 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. After smoothing the stained wood, apply a sealer coat of thinned shellac, sanding sealer, or other appropriate sealer. Situate your furniture where it won't be under a drip line from a roof or tree limb. It’s easier than you think. Then, using tack cloth, wipe down the piece to remove any small pieces of dust.. Open and stir your stain. 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. Explore how to get your next DIY project done–and done right. Wood seals are designed for outdoor wood such as decks and furniture, so in your case, they will do a great job. How do you seal outdoor wood furniture? 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. Brush on the primer working with the grain using a high-quality Benjamin Moore Nylon/Polyester brush. If you plan to finish the piece with polyurethane, make sure the sealer is compatible. Apply cedar wood stain, instead of a top-coat sealant, for a non-shiny look. If the old finish is in fairly good condition, it's enough to just roughen the surface. 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. ARBORCOAT® Exterior Stain is formulated to protect against the harshest weather conditions as well as UV rays. You can refinish your outdoor furniture with paint or stain and make it look new again. 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). I’m preparing to build an outdoor furniture set, including chairs, tables, and other pieces. 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). Spread an even coat of the cleaner all over the wood. And, the next among the best wood sealant for outdoor furniture is Seal-Once Nano Wood Sealer & Stain. Visit your local Benjamin Moore store or contact Customer Support. And you can apply it at any temperature. Work the stain into the wood with the clean rag, always rubbing with the grain. The importance of waterproofing outdoor furniture: And just for comparison, here is what happens when your table is not sealed. 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! Have More Questions? … 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. Be sure to check the undersides, too. There's no need to replace what isn't broken. 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