How to Revive Wooden Outdoor Furniture

Patching damaged wood

• 1

  Scrub the splintered, chipped or dented area with a stiff wire brush to remove any loose paint or wood chips.

• 2

  Apply a waterproof glue to any splintered pieces and clamp them until the glue dries.

• 3

  With a putty knife, spread a paste wood filler over the damaged area, covering it completely.

• 4

  Smooth down the wood filler until it is flush with the wood surface. Let dry overnight.

• 5

  Sand the patch gently with 220-grit sandpaper, feathering out the edges to make the patch less visible.

• 6

  Wipe off the sanding residue with a damp cloth.

Repainting outdoor furniture

• 7

  Remove any peeling paint with a stiff wire brush.

• 8

  Sand the item with 120-grit sandpaper, along the grain.

• 9

  Switch to 180-grit paper, and sand again until the item is fairly smooth, especially along the edges between the painted and unpainted areas.

• 10

  Paint any bare wood with a primer; let dry.

• 11

  If the wood has a number of knotholes or dark blemishes that you want hidden, paint them with a stain-killing primer. Let dry.

• 12

  Paint the entire piece with an exterior paint--even the hard-to-see places underneath, which will need the paint for protection, if not appearance. Let dry.

• 13

  Apply a second coat; let dry.