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I got Oak adirondack chairs in April stained with tung oil. They are dirty?? How do I clean b4 re-s
Also should I polyurethane them? I live in SC where it is very humid spring thru fall. The dirt is black specks and other blackish marks.
5 Answers
There are a couple of ways:
1) with a power washer, be careful
2) get a wood cleaner from the hardware store
1) with a power washer, be careful
2) get a wood cleaner from the hardware store
Hi there. I would go to Lowes or Home Depot for a deck and outdoor furniture wash. It's very inexpensive and easy to use. You just spray it on with a pump sprayer (in the garden section) and rinse it off with a hose or power washer. If you use a power washer, be very careful, especially on oak wood, and use it on the lightest setting with the widest angle on the sprayer.
As for stain vs. polyurethane... I would stick with stain, personally. First of all, it's more authentic to the Adirondack style, but secondly, it's breathable, which is better for the wood. It's also easer in the future to change the color or refresh the color if it isn't sealed with the polyurethane.
You will need to know what product you used last time and use a compatible product. (Oil based vs. water based.)
As for them getting dirty... I would just use the deck and outdoor furniture wash once per season or as needed to clean them up. It's really unavoidable with outdoor furniture that isn't protected under a roof.
As for stain vs. polyurethane... I would stick with stain, personally. First of all, it's more authentic to the Adirondack style, but secondly, it's breathable, which is better for the wood. It's also easer in the future to change the color or refresh the color if it isn't sealed with the polyurethane.
You will need to know what product you used last time and use a compatible product. (Oil based vs. water based.)
As for them getting dirty... I would just use the deck and outdoor furniture wash once per season or as needed to clean them up. It's really unavoidable with outdoor furniture that isn't protected under a roof.
I would use tung oil and fine steel wool. Just wet the wool with tung oil and rub it down.The spots will dissapear.
Tung oil is tough stuff, it protected gun stocks from the elements for years! I would just wash the chairs with hot soapy water and a sponge/cloth and rinse with the hose.
I wouldn't put poly on them. Just another coat or two of tung oil which is VERY easy to apply and is wonderful for wood. My husband and I refinish furniture and that's all we use. Poly is a bugger if you get a mark or a ding in it, you have to sand the whole area and do it all over. Tung oil allows you to just stand the problem area a bit and will level right in with the existing tung oil finish. No brush marks or bubbles either. Just apply it with a soft, lint free cloth in light even coats. Don't be surprised if the first couple of coats soak in if the wood is a bit weathered. Keep adding coats of the oil and you will eventually get a nice smooth finish. Tung oil is one of those finishes that the wood dictates how many coats not you. The way we tell if a piece is "done" is to look across it and if you see a smooth surface without breaks in the finish, it's done. Might take numerous coats but it's one of the toughest finishes around for wood!
I wouldn't put poly on them. Just another coat or two of tung oil which is VERY easy to apply and is wonderful for wood. My husband and I refinish furniture and that's all we use. Poly is a bugger if you get a mark or a ding in it, you have to sand the whole area and do it all over. Tung oil allows you to just stand the problem area a bit and will level right in with the existing tung oil finish. No brush marks or bubbles either. Just apply it with a soft, lint free cloth in light even coats. Don't be surprised if the first couple of coats soak in if the wood is a bit weathered. Keep adding coats of the oil and you will eventually get a nice smooth finish. Tung oil is one of those finishes that the wood dictates how many coats not you. The way we tell if a piece is "done" is to look across it and if you see a smooth surface without breaks in the finish, it's done. Might take numerous coats but it's one of the toughest finishes around for wood!
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