How to Weatherproof Outdoor Furniture

There aren’t many things as calming and enjoyable as relaxing on outdoor furniture in your backyard or on your patio. Of course, outdoor furniture can be a major investment. While having a comfortable furnished outdoor area is well worth the cost, you have to go the extra mile to protect your furniture and preserve the space for future use. These furnishings are exposed to harsh elements from sunlight to storms every single day. As a result, weatherproofing your outdoor furniture is essential.

 

The exact methods for weatherproofing vary slightly depending on the material your outdoor furniture is made of. All outdoor furniture should be cleaned every few weeks to protect it from the wear and tear of dirt buildup. Regular cleaning is all you need to do to protect naturally waterproof plastic furniture. However, if your outdoor furniture is made of wood, wicker, or metal, you need to take some additional steps. Each of these surfaces should be properly cleaned and prepared for weatherproofing. It’s important that you remove any rust or chipping paint. A wire brush is a good way to strip off paint that has cracked and chipped. If your metal furniture is rusty, put naval jelly on the rust spots. Leave the jelly on for as long as you need to, then clean it off and use sandpaper or steel wool to finish the job. For both wood and metal furniture, you should also use the sandpaper or steel wool to smooth down the surface completely once you have removed the major irregularities.

The next step for how to weatherproof outdoor furniture is to paint it. When painting outdoor furniture, you should always start with a primer coat. For metal furniture, get a spray on metal primer that includes a rust inhibitor. For wicker or wood, a regular primer is fine. Allow the primer to thoroughly dry and don’t forget to prime the underside of the furniture, especially in places where it makes contact with the ground. After the primer, apply two or three coats of exterior paint. It’s important to use exterior paint because it holds up to changing weather conditions and protects from damaging UV rays better than paint that hasn’t been specifically formulated for outdoor use. If you have wicker outdoor furniture, make sure to find an exterior paint designed for use on wicker.

Probably the most important step in weatherproofing outdoor furniture is the varnish or sealant that you apply at the end. This final coat blocks out moisture and additional UV rays, greatly extending the life of the furniture. Lacquer and spar varnish are great final coats for newly painted wood and metal furniture. Wicker, on the other hand, is best protected by an oil-based waterproofing formula because it doesn’t seal potentially damaging moisture inside the wicker reeds. Make sure to cover every inch of the furniture with your chosen sealant. Once you’ve finished this step, you’re done.

Knowing how to waterproof outdoor furniture, no matter what material it is made of, is an invaluable skill that will extend the life of your furniture for years to come.