How to Preserve Outdoor Wood Furniture

The object of preservation is twofold: to prevent moisture from entering the furniture and to prevent rot and decay. Many widely used finishes are not wood preservatives and do not contain products that prevent deterioration. For long-term preservation, it's best to avoid top coats that can fail.

Top-coat products such as varnish or shellac shouldn't be applied to wood for long-term preservation; it often deteriorates within a year. To preserve a top-coat finish, the wood must be stripped and refinished, which is time consuming and expensive. Paint is not a preservative and does not prevent decay. Paint offers an original barrier to moisture, but when paint or top coats fail, they flake off and the wood is exposed to the elements. Refinishing to preserve painted furniture includes complete stripping of the old paint, adding a preservative to the wood and a complete repainting of the furniture.

Water-repellent, UV-resistant preservatives -- not to be confused with standard water-repellent, which contains no preservatives -- are one of the best choices for outdoor furniture preservation. They contain wax, resin, drying oil and an EPA-registered fungicide as a preservative. Renew a water-repellent preservative finish by cleaning the furniture with a bristle brush, then add a new application of preservative. Don't use wire brushes or steel wool with preservative-based repellents as it causes discoloration.

Penetrating exterior stain is widely used to preserve exterior wood furniture. Semi-transparent is the best type as it allows the wood to age to the silvery gray color some people may find appealing. Pigmented exterior stain adds color to match your furniture but leaves a film that can deteriorate. Semi-transparent stain penetrates into the wood to add protection without leaving a surface coating that can peel off later. Brush on two coats, applying the second coat before the first one is dry. Wait for an hour and wipe off the excess stain with a dry cloth. Use a stiff bristle brush to remove debris and loose fibers and apply another coat of stain once or twice a year.

Manufacturers sometimes recommend natural oils such as linseed oil and tung oil -- but neither oil is a preservative. However, they do prevent moisture from entering the wood. Some professionals claim penetrating oil traps moisture in the wood; others state it feeds the wood, making it more supple. An example of preservation includes applying penetrating oil to older furniture with cracks, raised or flaky grain and an obvious drying-out problem. For a quick preservation update, use a spray gun or cloth to saturate the wood with the oil. Allow it to dry for 72 hours and add another application to seal off pores. Wipe off the excess with a soft cloth. Outdoor applications should be repeated on a yearly basis. The working life of an oil finish is one or two years; a yearly application is recommended.