How to Protect Outdoor Wood Furniture - Osmo UK (2024)

FAQs

How to Protect Outdoor Wood Furniture - Osmo UK? ›

For convenience, we recommend using the clear Osmo Teak Oil Spray, which is very easy to apply and is included within the Garden Maintenance Kit. Simply shake the spray can well, and spray at a distance approximately 25cm from the surface.

Products such as polyurethane, varnish and lacquer are most commonly used for the protection of outdoor wood furniture. Make sure to apply the finish over every surface — even underneath and in every crevice. If moisture works its way in, it will not be able to escape and your wood will become damaged.

Teak oil is generally considered the best oil to treat wooden garden furniture. It provides year-round weather protection whilst emphasising the wood's natural colour. It does this by replacing the natural oils that are lost through weathering, and preventing the wood from splitting and warping.

Experts recommend that teak oil be applied routinely to outdoor garden furniture in arid or extremely dry climates. It's also a good idea to apply oil regularly to prevent staining from food or drink spills.

An oil- or water-based plastic resin used for coating wood or as a wood finish, polyurethane keeps your work waterproof, weather-resistant, and polished-looking. They are available in a multitude of volumes, tints, and effects, so make sure you choose the right product for your project.

Use furniture sunscreen.

If your furniture is metal or plastic, apply an even coat of outdoor furniture protector (a paint brush can make this job easier). If your furniture is wood, regular ol' paint is the best way to protect it from the sun.

By covering your patio furniture, you provide a shield against sudden downpours, preventing water from directly contacting the furniture and minimizing the risk of damage. This is particularly beneficial if you live in regions where summer rain showers are common.

Method of Application

Apply one time to the clean and dry wood with Osmo Flat Brush, Osmo Microfibre Roller or by dipping. Coat the clean, dry and frost-free wood generously – if possible, on all sides. Dipping process: approx. 2 minutes dipping time Ventilate well.

Untreated wood is the most susceptible to rot, fungi, and general weathering. It's extremely important that you use a wood preservative first. You can either use a wax enriched preservative for an all-round coating or alternatively use a wax-free preserver if you want to then use a stain or a paint on top.

Is it better to oil or stain outdoor furniture? ›

The oil will protect your wooden patio for a longer period of time. Why? Simply because it is impregnating. Unlike synthetic stains which lie on the surface, oil penetrates the wood pores, making it impossible for water to seep in.

Teak Oil is the best oil to use on outdoor garden furniture. It provides excellent weather and water resistance and also helps teak wood (most outdoor furniture is teak) keep its lovely honey patina. You should avoid using Boiled Linseed Oil on all garden furniture and exterior wood.

Can You Use Polyurethane Inside or Outside? Most exterior polys can be used indoors, but interior polys should never be used outdoors; they lack the additives that protect exterior finishes from UV rays.

Why Should I Seal Wood? Natural wood looks beautiful, but if you want to maintain its beauty outdoors, you need to seal it. Wood is porous, so it readily absorbs water, which can damage it over time. Wood damaged from rainwater and humidity will swell, warp, peel and even rot.

Yes, you can waterproof wood. There are a few ways to do it too. You can use linseed oil, you can seal it, or you can use special waterproofing stains if you want.

The three common oils used for waterproofing wood are linseed, walnut, and tung. Tung oil is typically found as a mix in most commercial products. Raw tung oil is often more expensive than other oils, so it is usually used on smaller wood projects.

Polyurethane is the most durable option for indoor woodworking projects. It's highly effective at protecting cabinets, doors, furniture, and floors from scratches and abrasive damage. Polyurethane is also water-resistance and is intended to enhance the natural appearance of the wood with a statin or mid-gloss finish.

Water Sealant For Woods

This sealant is a liquid applied on the wood surface that protects wood fibers from entering the water and becomes the barrier for the wood. Some of the sealants for wood are Silicone-based sealants, Acrylic sealants, Epoxy sealants, and Polyurethane sealants.

The short answer is yes, to a certain degree. There are several factors that make some polyurethanes more absorbent than others. Depending on the physical properties and material, thermoset polyurethanes can practically have zero water absorption compared to other known materials.

How many coats of polyurethane does it take to waterproof wood? ›

Polyurethane does not make hardwood waterproof, but it does provide a strong protection layer to make wood water resilient and protect your floors from scratches. To give your floors the best protection, be sure to use 3 coats of a high grade polyurethane.

However, the most prudent choice is oil when it comes to outdoor furniture. Oil-based solutions protect outdoor wood furniture in a way that prevents water, dirt and UV exposure from ruining its integrity. Secondly, oil penetrates into the wood as well as the surface offering protection throughout the structure.

Can you leave patio furniture outside in the rain without a cover? Technically, you can, but if you know heavy downpours are on the way, you should apply a cover to reduce the risk of rust and avoid overly soaked outdoor cushions.

Most furniture won't be ruined if some water is on it for just a few minutes. However, if your furniture becomes damp or wet and remains wet for long, it can cause damage to the finish and even to the wood. It's best to prevent moisture from coming into contact with your furniture to prevent damage.

Yes, you can leave your outdoor furniture outside in the rain. However, if you want your outdoor furniture to last longer, there are a few tips you can follow for taking care of it. 1. Make sure that your outdoor furniture is made from a material that is specially designed for extended outdoor use in bad weather.

Water damage typically includes surface mold growth, splitting and deformation of wood members, lifting of veneers, staining of finishes, and failure of glue joints. In most cases, a conservator will ultimately be needed to treat water-soaked furniture and wooden objects.

For first application, two coats is recommended onto a clean and dry surface. For re-application, just one coat is sufficient.

For roller or brush applications; a maximum of two coats is recommended. Our finishes are designed to penetrate into the wood, application of a third coat is unlikely to absorb. For cloth applications; three or four coats is recommended.

Osmo Action is waterproof to a depth of 11 meters.

How do you seal untreated wood for outdoor use? ›

To treat untreated wood for outdoor use, you need to apply the treatment. This treatment contains chemicals that can make the wood shrug off insects and harsh weather. The best option you have to treat wood for outdoor use is pine tar. It's a popular option as it can provide a stain-like finish.

The best way to treat untreated wood for outdoor use is by applying a wood sealer, varnish, or finishing oil to the surface of the wood.

Applying wood stain and wood dyes to your exterior wood is a great way to assure it's protected from weathering and heavy foot traffic while adding rich colour. Offering great coverage and long-lasting durability, wood stains help to enhance the natural wood grain for a hardwearing and scuff resistant finish.

The treatment options

As a rule of thumb, wood protectors – often used on pre-treated timbers - protect against the elements, whilst wood preservers protect timber from wood boring insect attack and fungal decay, including 'blue stain'.

Creosote is one of the oldest wood preservatives, and was originally derived from a wood distillate, but now, virtually all creosote is manufactured from the distillation of coal tar.

You should apply Danish or teak oil with a soft cloth or a brush, making sure you apply just enough to sink in completely. In between coats, use a fine sandpaper on the surface – three or four coats is usually enough to get a good result.

Tung oil offers a number of advantages over linseed oil, including a food-safe, water-resistant finish that's not prone to mold and a beautiful matte amber color that doesn't darken over time. For your next project, give Pure Tung Oil products by the Real Milk Paint Co.

While both teak and tung oil offer protection, teak oil offers more overall. It works better on hardwoods and is scratch-resistant. Since this is where the protective quality of the oil is measured, teak oil wins.

Teak oil is generally considered the best oil to treat wooden garden furniture. It provides year-round weather protection whilst emphasising the wood's natural colour. It does this by replacing the natural oils that are lost through weathering, and preventing the wood from splitting and warping.

Which is better for outdoor furniture varnish or polyurethane? ›

Varnish works well for exterior finishes on decks and patio furniture. Polyurethane works better on wooden surfaces that are indoors. While varnish is durable and inexpensive, it's best suited for softer woods. Polyurethane dries quicker and requires fewer coats but won't hold up in the outdoors.

Linseed oil is one of the best oils to use for wood finishes because it penetrates deep into the grain of the wood, giving it a rich color and protecting it against moisture. If you want to clean your wood furniture with linseed oil, make sure to dilute it first with water.

Hardwood or teak oil should be applied when the wood starts to look dull—every three months in mild climates; more often in harsher climates. Even on a quarterly-or-more oiling schedule, ipe will turn that familiar silver-gray.

Apply Teak Oil

Teak oil is typically made from mineral oil, linseed oil, and tung oil. When applied to outdoor wood surfaces, teak oil can protect your furniture from the weather and give it a new golden glow. To begin, you'll need a bristle brush, grit sandpaper, a clean microfiber cloth, and the teak oil solution.

Water down white paint and lightly whitewash the wood.

The sealant will (very, very slightly) darken the wood, but if you whitewash your piece it will help maintain the natural and original color.

There are three types of clear topcoats used to seal natural wood or bleached furniture – polyurethane, polycrylic, and wax finishes. Each type of clear coat has different pros, cons, and projects that it's best suited for. Polyurethane is available in oil-based and water-based finishes.

Use paste wax made specifically for furniture. You can also create DIY paste wax by mixing melted beeswax with paraffin and slowly adding oil. Using a clean, soft cloth, rub the wax into the wood. Let it dry for about 30 minutes, then buff the area with a second clean cloth in the direction of the grain.

Linseed, tung, refined hemp, soy, and walnut oil are all-natural oils that on their own can be used to seal and protect wood. They are called drying oils. Drying oils penetrate, harden and preserve wood – providing a long-lasting finish that does not turn rancid.

To treat untreated wood for outdoor use, you need to apply the treatment. This treatment contains chemicals that can make the wood shrug off insects and harsh weather. The best option you have to treat wood for outdoor use is pine tar. It's a popular option as it can provide a stain-like finish.

Use an outdoor-rated finish like polyurethane, epoxy, lacquer, or varnish. Make a natural oil finish with one part tung or linseed oil, one part mineral spirits, and one part polyurethane. Use a stain sealant combo that gives your wood some color and a durable finish all in one.

How do you protect wood without polyurethane? ›

Shellac makes a great sealer for all types of wood, including resinous pine and oily exotics that can pose bonding problems for other finishes. And you can top shellac with another finish, such as poly. Although durable, shellac doesn't stand up well to heat or alcohol.