Paint Your Outdoor Rocking Chair – Wooden outdoor rocking chairs may not require any finish. Some woods, particularly teak, cedar, and cypress, possess qualities that allow them to withstand weathering with very little maintenance and no chemical treatment. These woods resist moisture and dry out faster than other woods. Natural oils they produce repel insects and pests. When left unfinished, the wood weathers, over time, into a silvery gray. Owners who wish to preserve the wood’s original color will need to choose a finishing method for their outdoor rocking chairs. Staining, sealing, painting, and oiling are some of the alternatives available. Before painting outdoor rocking chairs, you should give the wood a light sanding. Sanding the wood smooths it before a first application of paint or stain. It also helps to remove old layers of paint or stain when you want to refinish the wood. Rub the sandpaper in the same direction as the grain. (The grain is the lines in the wood.)
After you finish sanding, you should rub the wood with a clean cloth to remove the dust you have created with your sandpaper. If you find that a dry cloth is not sufficient, use a slightly damp rag. But in this case, be sure that the wood is completely dry before you apply primer or paint. You may wish to apply a primer as your first coat. A primer usually helps the finishing paint to adhere to the surface better. Some people, however, choose not to use a primer. If you are painting new outdoor rocking chairs, a primer may not be necessary. However, if you are painting chairs that have already weathered or have been previously painted or stained, you will find primer a helpful tool. Primer is usually necessary if you are switching from light color to dark, or vice-versa. It not only helps the paint to adhere, but it also provides for more even color. After you finish your last coat of paint, you might be pleased with your accomplishment. But as the months roll by, you may begin to wonder when you might have to repaint your masterpieces.
You will probably need to refinish your wooden outdoor rocking chairs every 1 to 3 years. So if you have paint left over from your initial finishing work, save it. You can store paint safely by closing the lid tightly and storing the can away from extreme temperatures. As a flammable substance, paint can create a hazard if close to a heat source. Freezing can also cause water-based paint to degrade. When you prepare to repaint your wooden outdoor rocking chairs, remember to clean the chair if you have not done so recently. Let the wood dry completely before continuing. Don’t forget to sand the wood and use primer. Many outdoor rocking chairs may be left unfinished safely. You can also choose to let these same woods weather on a trial basis. If you don’t like the silvery gray look, you can finish the rockers at that time. When you are finished painting, store unused paint carefully or dispose of it properly.Return a rocking chair to its former glory. Some rocking chairs date back decades.
If they are still solid, you may get additional decades of enjoyment out of it. If the chair is grayish or rough with flaking paint or varnish, don't worry about it. You can update that chair in one afternoon with some sandpaper and a few finishing materials. Stripping If you have a rocking chair in need of refinishing, it probably still has varnish on it that needs to be removed. Don't knock yourself out trying to sand it off. Chemical stripper will dissolve any finish in a few minutes. Place the chair on a drop cloth. Don protective glasses and plastic gloves. Dip a brush into an open can of stripper and liberally paint the chair with the stripper. When you finish painting it, use a putty knife to scrape the gelled finish off the chair. Use small, sharpened sticks to scrape inside corners, and for the tightest of spaces, you can use a wire brush to get the finish off. If some of the finish is stubborn, paint it again with stripper, wait a few minutes, then scrape it off. Preparation Always sand rocking chairs by hand.
Don't use orbitals or electric sanders. The parts are too narrow, and you'll only damage the chair. Fold a piece of 100-grit sandpaper four times. Use it like a pad to sand all of the chair parts smooth. Use the edge of the folded sandpaper like a knife to fit into tight spaces. Roll the sandpaper into a cylinder and spin it around spindles with your fingers. If you see any loose splinters, pull them up, inject some glue under them and secure them with masking tape. If you have deep gouges, pits or holes, fill them with wood putty. After everything is dry, sand the chair one more time -- but this time, sand only parallel to the grain of the wood to remove cross-grain scratches. Finish You may apply stain to the rocking chair or leave it natural. If you decide to use stain, liberally wipe it on the chair, then immediately wipe it off with a dry cloth. Let it dry according to manufacturer's directions. For best results, use an aerosol varnish or lacquer. Airborne finishes get into tight spaces better than any brush, and are not as likely to run or drip.
Hold the can eight inches from the surface of the chair at a 30-degree angle. Spray everything with a single, even coat. Wait the appropriate time for the finish to dry, then sand the chair by hand with 180-grit sandpaper. Wipe off the excessive dust, and finish with one more heavy coat of lacquer or varnish. Oil Some rocking chairs, especially older ones, benefit from oil-based stain. This type of stain sinks deep into the pores of the wood to feed and offer flexibility to brittle wood. Natural plant-based chemicals in the stain such as linseed, or tung oil protect wood better than other types of stain. In addition, this type of stain may be purchased in different colors. It can be reapplied to the chair every few months to keep it refreshed. The chair won't have the bright, glossy look of varnish or lacquer, but it will be protected better. In time, the oil turns to a sheen on the chair. You may polish the chair with denim in a process known as burnishing to bring out the warmest of finishes.