| In the first part of this article, I discussed the benefits of | | | | you decide, realize that all wood furniture needs care |
| wood for outdoor furniture. Of the various types of | | | | and will probably need to be finished - or refinished - |
| wood furniture available, the best of them, in my | | | | from time to time. A common solution for many people |
| opinion, are cedar, acacia and teak. Some people | | | | to protect their furniture is simply to paint it. Again, it |
| prefer to leave these beautiful woods to their own | | | | depends on your tastes. But realize that paint will |
| devices, allowing their natural oils to protect them | | | | cover up the natural grains and beauty of these |
| against moisture, weather and time. And they will be | | | | wonderful woods and will eventually peel or flake and |
| quite content with the way their furniture looks and | | | | need to be repainted. If you do choose to paint, it is |
| performs. | | | | best to use a good primer before the finishing coat to |
| However, it is generally agreed that, at the very least, it | | | | inhibit the flaking. |
| is a good idea to protect the new wood products | | | | If you prefer to keep those natural grains visible, you |
| from the beginning to enable them to have an even | | | | can choose either an oil based stain or one that is |
| longer - and some say more beautiful - life. As | | | | water based. In general, liquid oils penetrate the wood |
| mentioned in the first article, a car wax with good Ultra | | | | without raising the grains. However, realize that the |
| Violet protection is a very quick and easy way to | | | | color of the wood can be darkened. |
| ensure this longer life. But is a car wax enough? | | | | On the other hand, in spite of being easier and cleaner |
| Should you put in the extra time and energy to finish, | | | | to use, water-based stains are much more likely to |
| stain, or paint your new good wood chair, rocker, or | | | | raise the grains on the wood. You may be able to |
| swing? Many say that it is a good idea. But, if so - | | | | prevent this by fine sanding in between coats that |
| what to use? | | | | have dried very well. Also, water-based stains are |
| There are many possibilities, any of which will do a | | | | more environmentally friendly, requiring only soap and |
| good job. It just depends on your tastes. Whatever | | | | water to clean up. |