Do it Yourself Refinishing Rustic Outdoor Table

Refinishing Unfinished Weathered Furniture

• Some woods, like cedar, redwood, cypress, and teak are usually sealed, but not finished with paint or varnish. If your piece of furniture appears to be unfinished, the fix is relatively easy.

  First you will want to clean the furniture. You can buy a cleaner made especially for outdoor wood at most hardware stores, or you can use a light solution of laundry detergent, warm water, and a little bleach.

  You can apply the cleaning solution with a spray bottle or pump-up sprayer. Then you will want to brush gently with the grain, using a soft bristled scrub brush until the dirt and grime are gone. Rinse with clear water, and allow to dry thoroughly.

  After your piece is completely dry, sand rough areas with medium grit sandpaper and then apply a water sealant or a penetrating exterior stain.

Refinishing Previously Finished Furniture

• If your piece of furniture is simply dirty and dingy, a good cleaning may be all you need. If, on the other hand, it has peeling or scaling paint or varnish, you will need to refinish.

  Depending on your intent and how the furniture is to be used, you might just clean it, sand it, and apply a final coat to renew the existing finish. This would likely be appropriate for a garden table or an old picnic table.

  If what is needed is a complete refinishing, you will need to use a commercial liquid stripper to remove all of the existing finish. Follow the manufacturer's instructions carefully for the best outcome.

  When all of the existing paint or varnish has been removed, allow to dry thoroughly. You will want to sand the wood carefully before applying a finish.

  Since the piece is now unfinished, you can apply the finish of your choosing. An exterior paint will add color and protection from the elements. On the other hand, if your wood has a nice grain, you might want to use an exterior polyurethane. If you like the "new" unfinished look, use a water sealant or outdoor penetrating stain. Water sealants and stains work best if reapplied every year or two.