How often should you protect wooden garden furniture? How do you know if wood needs impregnation? What’s a better choice – stain or wood protection oils? Why should you avoid varnishing when it comes to protecting garden furniture?
Maintaining wooden garden furniture, much like wooden joinery, requires regular upkeep to ensure longevity and a consistently new appearance. With just a little attention, your wooden garden furniture can look well-maintained, rather than faded and cracked.
Understanding Protection Needs
If you’ve recently purchased wooden garden furniture, inquire about the type of wood and the initial protective treatment from the seller or manufacturer. If the initial treatment was oil-based, it’s recommended to continue with the same type of protection. Similarly, if the initial treatment was stain-based, stick with that.
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However, if the wood was initially treated with a dark stain, subsequent applications of the same color may darken the wood excessively. Opt for a lighter shade or, if the wood is in good condition, a clear stain. For older pieces of furniture where the initial treatment is unknown or indiscernible, any new protective treatment will benefit the wood.
Preparation for Treatment
For older wooden surfaces, some additional care is needed to ensure proper treatment. Surfaces must be cleaned thoroughly and completely dry. Often, wood surfaces are attacked by fungi, evidenced by darkening in certain areas.
In such cases, cleaning agents specific to wood, available at most reputable paint stores, can be used. If stains persist, sandpaper may be necessary. Select a finer grit for removing fungi and the finest for finishing. Only after dark spots are removed can staining or oiling be effective.
Application of Protection
Even if the wood is dried out and somewhat cracked, a protective coating will refresh it, but the goal is to prevent damage through regular maintenance. There’s no universal rule for how often to apply protective coatings. Garden furniture sheltered on a terrace may only require annual treatment or less, while furniture exposed to rain and sun may need treatment twice a year.
Simple Testing for Protection Needs
An easy way to check if wood needs protection is to observe how water droplets behave on its surface. If droplets bead up, the surface is adequately protected. If the wood absorbs droplets, it’s already dried out and in need of impregnation.
Additionally, while cleaning, sanding, and staining, check all screws and nuts. Periodic tightening of screws ensures stability and prevents damage.
Avoiding Varnishing
Avoid varnishing wooden garden furniture as its effect is short-lived. While some lacquer will be absorbed by the wood, a protective layer will remain on the surface. Initially, this protects the wood from atmospheric conditions, but within a few years, the varnish will crack, allowing moisture to penetrate again, while the wood surface loses its aesthetic appeal.
Removing old varnish, especially on furniture with many curves and folds, is difficult and often impossible. Therefore, for exterior wooden surfaces, impregnating agents such as oils and stains are preferred.
Foto: Freepik