Care and Repair of Outdoor Furniture

When choosing outdoor furniture for a garden room, outdoor kitchen, or multi-level deck, some consumers prefer quality tables, chairs, and assorted pieces that become an investment to protect. Quality furniture in good condition with good bracing can be refurbished at a substantial savings over replacing it, while less-costly furniture may be refurbished to avoid adding to the growing waste stream. In either case, the best way to keep outdoor furniture looking its best is regular maintenance.

Outdoor furniture comes in many materials, from exotic woods to metals to recycled high-density polyethylene to plastic, so check the guide that accompanied your purchase for specific care for the individual product. Most importantly, keep it clean. Immediately wipe up spills or deposits.

Slings and Things
Exposure to the sun, rain, pool, suntan lotions and body oils, and the outdoor casual lifestyle eventually take their toll on much furniture. The vinyl strapping on chairs and lounges eventually fade, crack, and break. Slings might rip or discolor. Glides can disappear.

When it comes to repairing or replacing materials or parts, there are options. Replacement parts are available that include anything from vinyl strapping to tires, custom-made slings to end caps, even chair glides to keep bare metal ends from scratching decks.

Chair Care Patio, based in Dallas, is one business that caters to those caring for their outdoor furniture. “Most people are not aware that they can refurbish their lawn furniture,” says Lelia Brown. “Before I came to work here, I threw away a chair because I did not know you could replace the sling.”

Brown says Chair Care Patio is both a traditional business that offers patio furniture repair and refinishing at its Texas store and a web-based parts and materials business. Brown says the web-based portion of the business has grown astronomically.

Through do-it-yourself instructions on supplier websites, such as Chair Care Patio’s, customers can learn how to measure, cut, and install using common vinyl strap installation methods such as single wrap, double wrap, or slotted conversion.

Freshen Up
A fresh coat of stain or paint can work wonders updating outdoor furniture. For wrought iron, touch it up with a rust-resistant primer, such as Rustoleum’s, whenever bare metal is exposed and it can look good for years. But if the rust has spread, consider having the piece sandblasted and powder-coated for a new look.

Aluminum furniture will resist rust but is subject to pitting that can dull the metal. Wash it frequently and wax it with automobile wax to keep it in good condition.

Most wood outdoor furniture will benefit from a mild scrubbing and rinsing at the start and finish of each season. Many pieces also work best with an annual sanding and a fresh coat of a protectant, such as a good outdoor varnish, to prevent drying or cracking. Maintenance will vary with the wood type.

Today’s wicker furniture comes in both natural and synthetic. Organic natural wicker is best kept for short uses outside and in the shade. Its synthetic cousin of vinyl or resin better handles exposure. Rinse and scrub away dirt to keep a good-looking synthetic wicker surface.