Rustic Outdoor Furniture Finish - GreatRusticFurniture.com

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Rustic Outdoor Furniture Finish

To finish or not to finish. That is the question for owners of rustic outdoor furniture. Some rustic furniture owners prefer to allow their pieces to weather naturally, but many believe that a proper finish can both enhance and preserve the natural beauty of their outdoor furniture. If you're choosing to finish your furniture, keep these precepts in memory.

Paint
There are definite disadvantages to painting your rustic outdoor furniture. If you've purchased rustic furniture, paint is going to cover up much of the wood's natural beauty. Paint also will flake eventually over time and will thus need to be scraped and refinished. However, a quality paint will offer protection from the elements. If you choose to paint, use a good primer first before you apply the finishing coat.

Stain
When you finish, don't use an oil-based product. Oil finish will last longer, but it's also messier, more toxic, and dust particles can stick to the finish. Instead, use a penetrating sealer and transparent or solid exterior water-based stain. You won't need to use a primer and it's doubtful any sanding will be necessary either. To keep your rustic outdoor furniture looking fresh, reapply a fresh stain coat every two years.

Climate
If you live in a wet or humid region, look for a stain that contains mold inhibitor. Most finishes also feature Ultra Violet inhibitors to protect your outdoor furniture from sunlight - a good idea even in areas that are typically overcast. If at some point you decide to let your rustic outdoor furniture age naturally, skip your next scheduled refinishing and allow the wood surface to mature. Once the exterior grays, the wood's natural properties should protect your outdoor furniture from excessively rapid weathering.