Backyard Refresh: How to Restore Your Outdoor Furniture

Don’t throw away that weathered wood bench or distressed patio set—revive it! (Photographee.eu/Shutterstock)

Goodbye, rainy spring; the long, sunny days of summer are here and it’s time to move things outdoors. But what if your backyard furniture isn’t ready? Don’t throw away that weathered wood bench or distressed patio set—revive it!

Sometimes the simplest solution is best, and all you need to do is spring clean your summer furniture.

For wood, use a soft nylon bristle brush to remove light grit. Wash off dirt and grime with mild soap in lukewarm water, using a cloth or sponge to clean the surface. Wipe off excess water, then let it air dry. Metal furniture, whether it’s aluminum, wrought iron, or steel, will respond well to the same treatment.

For resin furniture, give it a soapy washdown and rinse, then sprinkle baking soda on a damp sponge to rub away the chalky finish. Repeat if needed, then rinse and let air dry. A coat of automotive paste wax will restore the shine.

If these don’t do the trick, keep reading; we’ve got you covered.

The Woodwork

Wood falls into three categories: painted, stained, and oiled.

Nothing looks worse than a beautiful Adirondack chair with years of paint peeling off it. But don’t despair or toss it out; if your furniture is structurally sound, this is actually one of the easiest fixes. If the paint is also sound, but still grungy-looking after cleaning, allow it to thoroughly dry, then paint it with a one-coat outdoor paint with primer.

This is also an opportunity to change its color. If the paint is damaged, apply paint stripper as directed, then scrape off the loosened paint with a putty knife or scraper. You’ll need to wear protective gear, and to protect the surface underneath the furniture as well. Citristrip is a gentler alternative to traditional harsh strippers, works equally well in most cases, and has a pleasant citrus scent. You can sand afterward, but that’s usually optional. If you have a random orbital sander, the job will go quicker, but you’ll still need to hand sand corners, cracks, and crevices. Then repaint, let dry, and enjoy.

(Tomasz Majchrowicz/Shutterstock)

Mother Nature takes a toll on exterior stains and oiled finishes, which require touch-ups almost every year. First, sand the furniture down to reveal clean wood. Once again, a random orbital sander will make the job quicker, with hand sanding needed for tight spaces. Wipe down the surface with a tack cloth dipped in mineral spirits to remove dust and grit. A tack cloth is a specially treated cloth designed to trap and lock in dust.

If you opt for a stain finish, keep in mind that while interior stains traditionally require a clear finish coat, many of the newest outdoor stains are designed to be used alone, simplifying things considerably. Be sure to check the can. Apply it heavily using a cotton rag or chip brush, and wipe with a tack cloth. You want to apply it heavily to get an even finish. Let dry for 24 hours.

Oiling wood is the easiest method, but it doesn’t give it much color, and won’t hide gray or discolored wood. Using a paintbrush, chipping brush, or rag, apply the exterior wood oil, or teak oil, using strokes parallel to the wood grain. Be aware of areas absorbing more oil and apply more as needed. Let it seep into the wood for 20 to 30 minutes. If the oil has raised the grain, sand it smooth before you apply a second coat. Some people like to apply a third coat 8 to 10 hours after the first two coats; sand with 220-grit sandpaper and remove the resulting dust with a tack cloth before applying.

(bubutu/Shutterstock)

Mighty Metals

Aluminum is a popular patio furniture choice due to its resistance to rust and moisture damage, thanks to the powder-coated finish. For a minor refresh of aluminum in relatively good condition, consider applying car wax. Test in a small area; you may be pleasantly surprised by the results. Wrought iron and steel furniture that is in good shape but looks dingy might just need a new coat of paint.

If restoration is required, start by gently running a wire brush over the furniture to remove flaking paint and rust. Sand any remaining rust with 120-grit sandpaper, or if needed, which might be the case with old wrought iron, use a rust converter. Put on your protective gear and prep the work area properly—this is strong stuff. Apply as directed. Clean the furniture with soap and water and rinse with a garden hose or pressure washer. A pressure washer makes quick work of metal, resin, and plastic furniture, but we don’t recommend them to clean wood because they can easily inadvertently damage the grain. Once it’s thoroughly dry, apply primer—don’t skip this step!—and repaint.

Resin Wicker

Now that you know how to restore metal and wood furniture, that once daunting resin wicker lounge chair or bench restoration project is going to be easy-peasy—just clean, prime, and paint. You’ll want to make any repairs beforehand, and you’ll want to use an oil-based paint and primer, applied with a spray can—lengthwise top to bottom—or a natural bristle brush. Apply two coats of paint and finish with a clear varnish or polyurethane topcoat. Don’t put cushions on it for 24 hours and you’ll get many more years out of it.

Low-Maintenance Poly Furniture

Recycled high-density polyethylene plastic is an extremely strong and durable alternative to wood, and easy to keep looking beautiful.

Stains Happen

While poly furniture is highly stain-repellent, you might find a food or dirt stain that won’t come out with soap and water. Mix one part bleach with two parts water and let it sit on the stain for a few minutes. Use a soft-bristled brush to work it into the grooves.

Accumulated Grime

Once—or twice—a year, break out the pressure washer to break up tough dirt on poly furniture with a quick power wash. Then follow up with your usual cleaning. Keep the pressure below 1,500 psi for best results.

Proper Prevention

Clean your furniture regularly to keep stains from setting. Never place a flower pot or other items that can stain on a poly table. And remember that polyethylene is a plastic, so anything hot set on it will melt it.