Outdoor Picnic Table

Finishing An Outdoor Picnic Table

If you and your family are looking for a fun way to enjoy your backyard together, an outdoor picnic table is one of the best purchases you can make. However, if you do not properly treat and finish your wooden picnic table, the fun will not last for long. It is essential that you finish your wooden outdoor furniture to protect it from everyday wear and tear, the weather, and the other various elements it will face.

Before you begin finishing your picnic table, it is generally a good idea to sand the surface of your wood. Use a fine sandpaper to create a smooth surface before applying your final finish. Once you have sanded your table, you have to decide what kind of finish you want you use on the picnic table.

There is a plethora of outdoor wood finishing options. Your choices include wood stain, polyurethane, lacquers, shellacs, oils, and paints. All of these options will protect your outdoor picnic table and keep it attractive and functional for your family’s enjoyment.

Wood stains are an important treatment for your wooden furniture. Especially after you trip the picnic table and prepare it for its finish, the color of the wood is often blotchy and uneven. A tinted wood stain is a great way of enhancing the natural wooden look of your picnic table while making it more aesthetically pleasing at the same time.

If you decide to apply a wood stain to your outdoor picnic table, you can still apply another more protective finish over the stain if you would like. Polyurethane is one of these finishes. It creates a hard plastic coating on top of your wooden furniture, keeping it same from spills and storms alike.

However, polyurethane is not very flexible. Changes of weather and humidity can cause your wood to shrink and expand, causing the inflexible polyurethane to crack easily, especially along joint lines.

Another finishing option for your outdoor picnic table is a lacquer. Lacquers are both durable and flexible. They also require very little maintenance and do not demand that you devote much time to upkeep.

Usually, lacquer is applied with spray equipment, which allows the lacquer to go on smoothly and evenly. Some companies even sell a brushing lacquer, which takes more time to dry, allowing you to brush it on your table.

Some people choose to apply shellac to their wooden furniture to protect it. Shellacs are durable finishes, except that they are quite susceptible to both water and alcohol, which actually dissolves shellac. So if you live in a rainy area or drink a lot of beer, a shellac is probably the best finishing choice for your picnic table.

There is a wide variety of oil finishes, some of which are quite simple to use, while others take a long time and a lot of effort. For example, linseed oil takes over a year from the time you begin finishing it to reach its final look. You need to apply it once an hour for a day, once a day for a week, once a week for a month, and once a month for a year.

Finally, there is the classic option to paint your outdoor picnic table. This finish comes in a rainbow of colors, and is very durable and protective. However, it opaque, so if you are looking for a more natural look, paint is definitely not the way to go.

When it comes to finishing an outdoor picnic table, there are many options from which you can choose. Consider how you want your table to look, how much time you are willing to spend on your finish, and what protection you need before choosing a finish. There are so many choices that you are sure to find exactly what you want and need.

About the Author:
Todd Arend is a freelance writing professional whose expertise covers a variety of areas, including patio and backyard furniture, landscaping and design. He regularly writes about outdoor picnic tables and round gable vents.

Article Originally Published On: http://www.articlesnatch.com
http://www.articlesnatch.com/Article/Finishing-An-Outdoor-Picnic-Table/715648

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