How to Stain Outdoor Wood Furniture
Give your outdoor wood furniture a fresh makeover. Let our expert advice guide you through the process.
With some planning, staining outdoor wood furniture can be a weekend project.
Over time, exposure to the sun and elements can cause your outdoor wood furniture to show signs of aging. Rather than trade it in for a new set, you can rejuvenate it with exterior wood stain.Whether you go with a stain opacity that allows your wood furniture’s natural grain to show through or opt for an opaque solid, applying wood stain to outdoor furniture yields a great new look. Exterior stain not only beautifies wood but also protects it by providing a durable UV- and mildew-resistant coating.
Explore our guide to choosing a wood stain colour and opacity, then follow these steps to achieve the best results.
How to Stain Outdoor Wood Furniture
Step 1: Prepare the Surface
When staining outdoor furniture, the first step is to make sure the wood is absolutely dry and free of mould and mildew.
Be sure to check the underside too.
If the wood has stains from mould or mildew, you can properly prepare the surface with a premium cleaner like Woodluxe® All-in-One Wood Cleaner. For mild cases, you can mix your own solution of one part household bleach to three parts water. It’s best to do this outside or in a well-ventilated area. Be sure to rinse the furniture and allow it to dry completely before applying an exterior wood stain.
If the weather is cold, move the furniture indoors to dry. In mild weather, it’s fine to place the furniture in a garage, carport, or other shelter from the rain. Don’t cover the furniture with plastic or a tarp, as doing so will not allow enough air circulation for thorough drying.
Step 2: Sand Your Exterior Wood Furniture
The next step is to smooth the surface to be stained. If the old finish is in fairly good condition, you can prep the surface with sandpaper. Start with a coarse grit, working with the grain, then move to a fine grit until you obtain a smooth finish. An orbital hand sander is the perfect tool for this job.
If the old finish is in poor condition, you may choose to remove it down to the bare wood. This can be accomplished with a quality exterior wood stain remover such as Woodluxe® Wood Stain Remover.
Step 3: Apply Your Exterior Wood Stain
The recommended application method for staining outdoor wood furniture is by brush. Apply stain in the direction of the grain.
When choosing the best wood stain for outdoor furniture, select a product that is known to protect and beautify.
Woodluxe® Exterior Stain is formulated to protect against the harshest weather conditions as well as UV rays. Woodluxe offers a range of colours and opacities.
Translucent
Translucent stain allows the full beauty of the wood to show through.
Best for: New or younger wood decks in good condition. Ideal for hardwoods like mahogany, teak, and ipe.
Available in 7 ready-mix colours
Semi-Transparent
Semi-Transparent stain allows most of the grain pattern and texture of the wood to show through.
Best for: Decks that are a few years old and in need of new stain. Ideal for softwoods like cedar and pine.
Available in 75 colours
Semi-Solid
Semi-Solid stain allows the texture and some of the grain pattern of the wood to show through.
Best for: An older deck or wood that needs a slight touch-up to its natural colour and appearance. Ideal for softwoods like cedar and pine.
Available in 75 colours
Solid
Solid stain allows only the texture of the wood to show through.
Best for: Weathered decks and wood where hiding imperfections is key. A great choice if you want to change your deck’s colour. Suitable for all wood types, including pressure-treated lumber, cedar, and redwood. Perfect for painting wood furniture.
Available in 3,500+ Benjamin Moore colours
A note on grain: If you use Woodluxe solid stain, the wood grain will be completely covered, but you will still be able to enjoy some of your outdoor wood furniture’s natural texture.
Step 4: Dry & Maintain
Let the wood furniture dry in a clean, dust-free, well-ventilated area. Don’t leave it outside to dry, as wind and air may deposit dust and particles onto the wet surface.
Dry times vary. It is important to consult the label on the can or read the Technical Data Sheet for the product you choose.
Once the furniture is dry, you’re good to go. Situate your furniture where it won’t be under a drip line from a roof or tree limb. An occasional wash with Woodluxe All-in-One Wood Cleaner will help you enjoy your freshly stained outdoor wood furniture for years to come.
Beyond Wood Stain for Outdoor Furniture
If your outdoor furniture is made from a material other than wood—like wicker, wrought iron, aluminum, or plastic—visit your locally owned Benjamin Moore store to get expert prep instructions and product recommendations.
Once your outdoor furniture is looking its best, try painting or staining an outdoor fence for your next project.
Have questions? Visit your locally owned store or contact Customer Support.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q. How do you prepare outdoor wood furniture for staining?
A. The first step in prepping outdoor furniture is to make sure the wood is thoroughly dry and free of mould and mildew.
If stains from mould and mildew are present but mild, you can treat the surface with a solution of one part household bleach to three parts water.
For more stubborn cases, you can use a premium cleaner like Woodluxe® All-in-One Wood Cleaner. Be sure to rinse the furniture after use and allow it to dry completely before applying an exterior wood stain.
Q. Do you have to sand outdoor furniture before staining?
A. It is important to start with a smooth surface before applying stain. If the old finish is in fairly good condition, you can sand the surface. Begin with coarse sandpaper, then move to a finer sandpaper until you obtain a smooth finish.
If the old finish is in poor condition, you can remove it down to the bare wood. A quality exterior wood stain remover like Woodluxe® Wood Stain Remover is perfect for the job.
Q. What is the best stain for outdoor wood furniture?
A. There are two types of stain: water-based and oil-based. Water-based stains perform well on most types of wood, while oil-based stains are best for woods that are prone to bleeding, like cedar and redwood.
Woodluxe® is a breakthrough line of water- and oil-based exterior stains that protect and beautify wood while providing a UV- and mildew-resistant coating for durability. It is available in a wide range of opacities and colours to help you achieve your project goals. Consult the experts at your locally owned Benjamin Moore® store to determine what products are best for you.
Q. Is it better to stain or paint outdoor furniture?
A. The decision to stain or paint depends on the material of your outdoor furniture. If your outdoor furniture is constructed from wood, staining is recommended over painting to preserve and enhance its appearance. Translucent stain allows the natural wood grain and texture to show through, while solid stain can be used to mask imperfections. What you choose comes down to personal preference and the colour and opacity you love.
On the other hand, if your outdoor furniture is made from a material other than wood—like wicker, wrought iron, aluminum, plastic, vinyl, or metal—painting is the way to go. The experts at your locally owned Benjamin Moore store can advise you on the best products and methods to use.
