When thoughts turn to longer days and lighter evenings, we often turn our attention to our garden furniture. Has it fared well over winter? or could it do with a refresh? What do you need to do before you can begin transforming your garden furniture? Here, we show you everything you need to do to prepare your garden furniture thoroughly to be painted.
1 Before starting to paint your old garden furniture with anything, you need to make sure it is clean. Brush or hose off any loose debris and then apply a simple solution of dishwashing liquid in warm water with a soft brush.
2 If your furniture has old paint that needs to be removed, use a brush with garden furniture paint stripper and apply generously. Follow the manufacturer’s instructions and leave for the recommended time before using a paint scraper or pallet knife to remove the old paint. Rinse off any flakes of old paint and leave to dry.
3 Once your garden furniture is free from dirt and old paint, you will be able to see any damage. This will need to be repaired carefully before moving on. Any splintered pieces can be glued back into place at this point and any larger areas can be filled with a wood filler and sanded down till they are flush with the surface of the wood.
4 Once any damage has been repaired, your garden furniture will need to be sanded down well, with sandpaper or a sanding block. Brush away any sanding dust once you have finished. You are now ready!
5 Pick a warm day above 10°, preferably with no wet weather forecast.
6 Always ensure you stir the tin thoroughly; you can use the handle of a paint brush for this or even a wooden spoon.
7 Before committing to the whole piece, try a test patch of the colour in an inconspicuous area. If you are happy with the colour and finish once the test patch is dry, you can begin painting.
8 If using a paintbrush to apply the stain or paint, always follow the direction of the wood grain.
9 Apply the first coat, leaving the piece for around four hours to let it dry completely. Further coats can be applied when the previous has dried.
10 The number of coats you choose to apply will depend on the depth of colour and the finish you want to achieve. Once the final coat has been applied, wait a further 2-3 days before using your furniture. This will give the furniture plenty of time to dry and harden.
11 Once painting is complete, wash your brushes well in soapy water.
12 Finally, to keep your freshly painted garden furniture looking in tip top condition simply wipe it down regularly with a damp cloth to avoid an accumulation of dirt.
Although it may seem like a lot of work, preparation really is the key to success. Once your furniture has been transformed for the season ahead, all you have to do is kick back and relax!