Revive Your Outdoor Furniture: A Weekend Refinishing Guide

Assess First

• Structural: Loose joints, cracked welds, broken slats → repair or replace.
• Finish: Peeling paint, rust, grayed wood, mildew → refinish candidate.
• Material: Wood (teak, cedar, pine), metal (aluminum, steel, wrought iron), resin, wicker.

Wood Furniture: Strip, Sand, Seal

1. Remove hardware.
2. Strip old finish: chemical stripper (follow dwell time) or power sander (80→120→180 grit).
3. Clean: TSP substitute, rinse, dry 24 hrs.
4. Sand lightly (220 grit) for adhesion.
5. Apply: Marine-grade spar urethane (3 coats, sand 320 between) OR penetrating oil (teak oil, annually).

Metal Furniture: Rust Removal + Primer + Enamel

1. Wire brush / flap disc / sandblaster to bare metal.
2. Wipe with acetone/denatured alcohol.
3. Rust-inhibitive primer (spray or brush).
4. 2 coats high-gloss enamel (spray for smoothness).
5. Touch up chips immediately to prevent creep.

Wicker / Resin

• Resin: Wash, UV-protectant spray (303 Aerospace).
• Natural wicker: Vacuum, mild soap scrub, dry fast. Clear spar urethane if unsealed.

Cushions & Fabrics

• Sunbrella/outdoor fabric: Machine wash cold, air dry. Re-waterproof (Scotchgard).
• Foam: Replace if crumbling. Cut new high-density foam to size.

When to Call a Pro

• Structural welding/joinery.
• Complete re-weaving of wicker.
• Antique/valuable pieces.
• Powder coating (best metal finish—requires oven).

Preventive Habits

• Cover or store off-season.
• Clean spills immediately.
• Tighten bolts monthly.
• Reapply protectants per schedule.

A weekend of work buys years of pride every time you step onto the patio.