Sure, it's been nice, sunny and dry here in LA all summer. But any day now that pesky thing called "weather" will return and start dropping those near mythological raindrops onto your outdoor wood furniture. Now is the time to take the time to coat your patio furniture and other outdoor wooden accessories...
How To: Make DIY Outdoor Furniture Water Sealant
Kelly Smith of DIY Life listed this batch of ingredients to mix at home (and importantly, outdoors, the fumes can be dangerous!) to protect your furniture and save a few dollars while at it. Of course, the majority of people would rather purchase a pre-mixed solution, but we could see this being a viable solution for larger projects like wood decking where the sheer amount of solution needed requires a bit of investment upfront. Up for the DIY task? Here's Kelly's directions:
Mix together:
- 2 gal. Mineral spirits, Turpentine, or #1 or #2 fuel oil
- 5/8 qts. Boiled Linseed Oil
- 3/16 lb. Paraffin Wax
- 1 qt. Penta concentrate 10:1
- 1 to 3 fluid oz Color Pigment / gallon of the above mix
The paraffin must be melted in a double boiler; if you try to use a regular pan, fire is a very real possibility (keep an extinguisher close.) Let your concoction age overnight before applying it and stir it well; the pigments will settle.
So what does each of the ingredients in this mixture do exactly? The mineral spirits or turpentine works as a cleaning solvent. Linseed Oil creates a shine and grain enhancer with minor protectant qualities. The paraffin wax is the main barrier between your wood and damaging moisture. Penta concentrate is pentachlorophenol, a preservative that prevents graying by inhibiting mildew (this stuff is a bit nasty from the health warnings, so take precaution). And finally the color pigment is a colour-enhancing additive that is optional, depending on your furniture's finish.
Comments (4)
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...mix at home (and importantly, outdoors, the fumes can be dangerous!)
Whoa! What happened to thinking green? Dumping dangerous fumes into the air is just as bad as dumping dangerous chemicals into the water. We make factories in this country install extensive pollution control devices that minimize the amount of those "dangerous fumes" that are released into the air. and ata personal level, we must be mindful of planet. Especially while we're trying to save the planet. There's no reason to believe that our personal pollution does not matter.
view quiltmaster's profile
Does anyone have suggestions for a non toxic way to protect outdoor furniture?
I'm thinking of something like wax?
view Slim's profile
Wax isn't a good way to protect wood. Wax creates a soft film and doesn't harden. Dirt sticks to the wax and then the dirt works its way into the wood.
In order to protect wood from water and dirt you should use a penetrating and hardening oil such as Tung Oil or Linseed. Tung oil is better than Linseed as it doesn't change color over time. In order for the Tung oil to penetrate the wood, you must thin the oil using mineral spirits. Mineral spirits are toxic.
To answer your question, no there is not a way to protect outdoor furniture properly without using toxic substances. (Though you could cover your furniture with a tarp).
For outdoor furniture/decking you also need UV protection and fungal protection.
You should use a product designed for the outdoors. Australian Timber Oil is a good product and so is Penofin and Cabots. Waterlox makes a good marine finish (consisting of tung oil, mineral spirits, resin) though it leaves a very glossy finish).
view Vanessa in New York's profile
Purchase outdoor furniture covers. Smith and Hawkins has good ones and you can find them at big box stores as well.
view Seaside's profile