When choosing a finish for your newly sanded and cleaned wooden outdoor furniture, you should be very careful not to get too sidetracked by all the options that will present themselves to you. Yes, it is true, the selection at the hardware store can be incredibly daunting to the uninitiated! All of those different shades of varnish, penetrating resin, shellac, lacquer, wax, and oil can just be plain overwhelming. What type of finish to buy? And then what color will look just right? Are there significant differences from one brand to another? Don’t worry! For our purposes, it is actually going to be quite simple.
While just about any of the options you may be considering would probably be quite beautiful looking, there are only two types that truly have the toughness and durability to stand up to the elements. You will want either a varnish finish or a penetrating resin finish. These kinds of finishes are what you want because they are tough enough to last for quite awhile, even in an outdoor setting such as your backyard. A penetrating resin will actually strengthen the wood itself after you apply it. Now, because each manufacturer has their own special blend of ingredients, be sure to read all of the instructions on the container, and follow them very carefully.
While it can be ever so tempting to dive right in to the this last phase of the project, we should remember that too much haste at this point could put all of your hard work to waste if it comes out looking badly.
The other aspect to consider before you get to the checkout counter is what color you want. Be creative, and remember that second opinions never hurt anybody. It can be good to bounce ideas off from another person, especially if they live with you! Let it be something that compliments your climate and landscaping theme. Try something lighter for the sparser or more arid yards, and darker for those lush, richly designed areas. Either way, as long as you lay it on evenly, and without dust or imperfections, it should look just spectacular.
When you finally do choose the perfect finish, remember to observe all safety precautions. Try and find a place to work that’s really well ventilated. And do remember to keep any children and pets far away from the workspace. Many of the chemicals have some degree of toxicity, and the fumes could make a person quite nauseous if they inhale too much.