How to Bring Wooden Outdoor Furniture Back to Life

Do you like to kick back in your backyard with a cold beverage in a comfortable chair? Sitting in a drab dingy chair is no way to enjoy the outdoors. Learn how to bring wooden outdoor furniture back to life in this HGTV video:

1. If your furniture is sealed, apply an all-in-one stripper to remove the finish. If you have bare wood, use an all-purpose wood cleaner to remove all of the dirt, build-up and mold that has accumulated. Working in a well-ventilated space, put on some gloves, wet the chair and then apply the cleaner. Scrub the chair down, and don’t forget to get in the nooks and crannies (an old toothbrush works very well for this).

2. Let dry overnight.

3. You may notice the wood looks a little fuzzy in the morning. This can ruin your finish, so go ahead and give everything a once-over with some fine grit sandpaper, then wipe everything well down afterwards.

4. Use a 2-inch angled brush and apply a very light coat (this is the key to a smooth, even finish). Wipe off any excess stain or drips immediately. If you apply too thick of a coat, your stain is more likely to crack or bubble.

5. Let the first coat dry for one to two hours. You can give the chair a light sanding between coats if it’s feeling a little rough.

6. Wipe down and apply one more coat of stain. Let cure for 72 hours.

Now you’re ready to enjoy your refurbished chair!