How to Stain Outdoor Wood Furniture

Prepare your work area by laying newspaper under the furniture if you're working on grass. If you're working on concrete, wet the surface with a hose to dilute the stain mixture, allowing it to be quickly washed away.

Spray your outdoor wood furniture with a hose to clean it thoroughly.

Apply a deck cleaning solution, or brightening solution, to remove accumulated dirt and replenish the wood. Note: Work your way upward with the solution to avoid streaks.

Allow the solution to soak into the furniture for several minutes.

Scrub away any remaining paint or engrained dirt with a wire brush.

Rinse off the remaining solution, and allow the furniture to dry completely in the sun.

Sand the furniture with grit sandpaper for a smooth, even surface. Note: Do not over-sand or the wood will have difficulty absorbing the paint.

Use a folded over piece of sandpaper to sand the tight spaces and edges.

Coat the furniture with a wood primer, using a broad brush paintbrush.

Allow the primer to dry completely.

Coat the furniture with a gel wood stain. Use a paintbrush to coat the edges, and use the applicator pad, which comes with the stain, to coat the flat pieces of the wood. Spread evenly, and work the stain into the grain of the wood.

Allow the stain to dry completely. Your wood furniture will be protected for years to come.