How to Refinish a Patio Table With Chairs

If your patio table and chairs are looking worn and faded, refinishing them is a good way to get a few more years use out of them. Refinishing can make them look new again. You can either stain or paint the furniture. No matter which finish you choose, preparing the furniture beforehand is the most important step.

1. Clean your table and chairs with soap and water. Use a scrub brush to clean all areas of your patio set. Rinse the furniture with the hose. Leave the furniture to dry. This can take as little as an hour or can be more, depending on the weather.


2. If your furniture is stained, sand off the varnish. If it is painted, scrape loose paint off and then sand.


3. Wipe sanding dust off of furniture, with a clean cloth.


4. Place newspaper, trash bags or a drop cloth under the table and under each chair, to keep the area from becoming stained by drips and splatters.

Staining:

1. Apply stain with a 2 inch brush. Allow the stain to dry for at least a couple of hours. Apply a second coat of stain. Allow this to dry for a few hours. You may want to allow it to dry overnight, if you started this project late in the day.


2. Apply varnish; use two or three coats. Let the varnish dry for a few hours, between each coat.

Painting:

1. Paint all surfaces with a coat of primer. Be sure you are using paint and primer that is made for exterior surfaces. Let the primer dry. Leave it for a few hours and then come back to it.


2. Paint the table and chairs with paint. Let the paint dry for a few hours and then apply a second coat. Allow that to dry.


3. Choosing paint in bright colors is a fun way to change the look of your furniture. Once the paint dries, you might want to stencil or draw designs on the table and chairs, to add even more fun and interest to the set.


4. If you do stencil or paint on the furniture, apply a coat of varnish over the surface, to protect your design.