Outdoor furniture is often exposed to harsh weather conditions, and as such, it is important to care for it properly. Cleaning your outdoor furniture before oiling it is an important step in maintaining its appearance and longevity.
Cleaning
Before oiling your outdoor furniture, you should give it a thorough cleaning. Start by using a mild detergent and warm water to clean the surface of the furniture. If there is any mildew or mold present, use a mixture of one part bleach to 10 parts water to remove it. Make sure to rinse off any remaining bleach with plain water and dry the surface completely with a soft cloth.
Stripping
If your outdoor furniture has been previously treated with some type of oil or wood preservative, you will need to strip this off before applying new oil. You can purchase commercial wood strippers at most hardware stores, or you can make your own using white spirit and linseed oil. Apply the solution liberally with a soft brush and then use a scraper or steel wool to remove all of the old residue.
Sanding
Once the old treatment has been removed from your outdoor furniture, you will need to sand down the surface in order to ensure that the new oil will be able to penetrate deeply into the wood. Use fine-grit sandpaper and go over the entire surface in a circular motion until all rough spots have been smoothed out.
Oiling
Finally, you are ready to apply new oil to your outdoor furniture. Start by applying a liberal amount of oil with either a paintbrush or rag, making sure that all surfaces are evenly covered. Allow the first coat of oil to dry for 24 hours before applying additional coats if necessary.
Conclusion:
Cleaning outdoor furniture before oiling is an important step in preserving its longevity and appearance. Start by cleaning the surface with mild detergent and warm water; then strip off any old treatments with either commercial wood stripper or white spirit/linseed oil mixture; finally sand down any rough spots before applying new coats of oil.
