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Let The Doctor Solve Your.
DIY Dilemmas: This Week:A Stitch in time will save you nine |
As springtime is just around the corner the days will start getting warmer and the evenings longer. If like me you love every opportunity to dine al fresco on your patio or decking area. As you know in Ireland our garden barbeque season runs from June to September so let's get ready.
Wise old saying
Do you remember this old but wise saying a stitch in time will save you nine. Very appropriate in this weeks issue we will be looking at your garden furniture. Left outdoors in the elements, both wooden and metal garden furniture can look the worst for wear. You should never neglect outdoor jobs like this being pro-active on small jobs will always save you money in the long run.
Time-Table for Completion
It just takes a little muscle and imaginative, a couple of hours work to complete. This is a DIY project which even the complete novice can master.
New Facelift
Before you start to rush down to your local DIY outlet and purchase a new set of garden furniture. Stop and let's take a look at what is required to restore your old set to its former glory. For a fraction of the cost of replacement, you can tackle this basic DIY job yourself. Why not treat your quality garden furniture to a dashing facelift and a little TLC. Let's firstly take a look at the wooden type garden furniture and then the metal type.
Inspection
The first step is to carefully inspect the complete set of garden furniture for any damage. If you find any damage, depending on the amount will determine the course of action required. This visual inspection will help you now choose from the listed below the correct course of action.
Wooden Furniture
Most wooden garden furniture is made from the hardwood timber family. Usually teak, iroko, mahogany or pine is what your garden furniture is made from. All can be successfully given a new lease of life. To totally transform wooden garden furniture all that may be required is the application of quality paint products.
Surface preparation
Ensure the surface is clean sand down all flaky coatings of grey weathering. Use the likes of a wire brush to remove all heavy debris and dirt. If there is signs of mould growth use a fungicidal wash to remove same. Allow the furniture to dry completely now using methylated spirits on a damp cloth wipe down the furniture. Now you are ready to apply a coat of quality oil using a paint brush start coating in the direction of the grain. Make sure you cover all the furniture with a generous coating ensuring complete saturation of the timber.
Metal Furniture
Metal garden furniture can be successfully transformed back into a stylish center piece with the application of quality paint products. Painted in lovely fresh shades of apple blossom green or maybe a forest green can be applied to your metal garden furniture to create a chic new look.
Surface preparation
Ensure surfaces to be painted are sound remove all loose corrosion from the metal. Remove with a wire brush or sand down all flaking paint, moss and rust. If you discover any rust spots treat the with a specialist primer. If your metal garden furniture only requires a coat of paint why not clean using a power washer allow to dry and the apply the paint.
Staining Wooden Garden Furniture
You may like to re-stain your wooden garden furniture which will transform it completely. All that may be required is that you give it a thorough scrubbing with a soapy water solution again to remove algae and air pollution. If more is required see (surface preparation above)
Stripping Agent
Always use a paintbrush to apply a stripping agent to your garden furniture either wooden or metal. Apply the stripping agent in one direction as thickly as possible. Leave the stripper on the furniture for the recommended time. Now use a paint scraper or similar to remove a test strip from the furniture. If the paint or varnish doesn't come off easily, apply another coat of stripper and leave it on the furniture again for the recommended time. Now remove as much stripper residue as possible with a paint scraper. To remove residue from detailed areas, try using one of your older paintbrush. After you have removed all remaining residue, allow the furniture to dry before you apply the new stain or coat of paint.
Furniture Covers
When buying covers for your garden furniture, make sure that they are made from weather proof fabric. Storing in this type of cover will help protect your furniture all winter long.
Coming Soon
Coming soon, we will be making sure your summer goes with a swing. Some of our next issues will cover a range exciting DIY garden projects. So for all those long weekend on the way why not use this as the perfect opportunity to get back DIY-ing.
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