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. 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. 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.
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. Bamboo, another popular natural material, is fine on a covered porch or deck but tends to split and separate if left out to weather. Keep it looking good by bringing it inside when not in use. Putting a new face on plastic furniture has had its problems. It’s easy to scratch the surface when trying to clean it. Applying paint often results in a coating that beads up or peels away after it dries. Instead of sending a good but faded piece of plastic furniture to the landfill, there are options. Krylon® Fusion for Plastic® is one. This is a no-prep, super-bond paint that works on most plastics as well as several other surfaces. Available in a variety of colors as well as “textured shimmer” shades and a clear “Mystic Prism Effect,” it is dry to the touch in 15 minutes or less and cures to full chip resistance after seven days. Keep cushions, pillows and other fabrics clean and fresh-smelling and -looking.
Mold or mildew can set in older cotton-batting fillings. Fabric colors can fade. Among the options to consider are a fabric-protecting spray finish, such as Krylon’s Outdoor Spaces® UV Fabric Protector. It can be used on canvas and everything from tents to table napkins to keep colors or patterns looking good longer and it repels water. Another option is to replace faded and smelly cushions and pillows with upgraded items. New fabrics include Sunbrella® that is made from acrylic fiber that resists sunlight, mildew and rot and is coated with a soil- and stain-resistant finish for easy cleanup. New cushions can be filled with high-density, all-weather foam or fiber filling. If the cushions have zippers, remove the core for cleaning or replacement. Care and recycling tips for outdoor furniture Dust furniture before washing in a solution of mild detergent and water. Avoid using ground water that may contain sulfur, iron oxide or other minerals that can stain the furniture.
Rinse and dry thoroughly.How do you repair a folding aluminum lawn chair? To repair a folding aluminum lawn chair, first remove any rust from its surface. The remainder of the repair process involves repairing damage caused by corrosion, fixing cracks in the aluminum, and changing worn-out webbing on the aluminum chair. How do I repair a swivel chair? Can you reupholster furniture by yourself? How do you make slipcovers for chairs? Remove rustEliminate rust by using a handheld rotary tool fitted with a wire bush to remove it. Alternatively, use sandpaper or steel wool to sand the area. Hold the wire brush against the rusted area to clean it. Once the rust is removed, apply a rust inhibitor to the area, and allow the inhibitor to dry naturally. Next, apply primer to the affected area. Follow by repainting the lawn chair. Repair corrosionUse a rotary tool fitted with a stainless brush to remove corrosion. Apply a degreaser to the area. Use steel wool to remove the scratches on the surface.
Remove rust particles with a soft cloth, and follow by applying a coat of car wax to the chair.Fix cracks in the aluminumFill cracks in aluminum chairs with small pieces of wire mesh. Coat the mesh with epoxy resin just before placing it over the cracked surface. Continue to coat the mesh with epoxy until it is entirely covered with it. Change worn-out webbing Use a knife to cut away worn-out webbing from an aluminum lawn chair. If necessary, use a screwdriver to remove fasteners holding the webbing in place. Replace a worn-out strap by measuring the length of the strap and cutting a new strap according to the measurement. Fold one end of the new strap to form a triangle, and then make a hole in the triangle. Weave the new strap through the straps on the chair. Ensure that the webbing is stretched tautly. Fold the other end of the strap to form another triangle, then make a hole in it as well. Use screws to attach the ends of the new strap to the chair. What are some painted furniture ideas?
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