Once the wood is chopped down, it must be protected. After all, rot, water, sunlight, temper, pests etc. affect wood. To protect it from these elements we utilize wood protectors. Below are our options for the best wood protector for your outdoor patio furniture.
What Is Wood Protector?
Wood sealers or protectors are substances applied to the surface of the wood for purposes of protection. Wood sealant gets into the pores on the wood surface so that water molecules cannot permeate inside to cause rotting. Still, wooden nuances differ from others in that they have ridden with pores which are useful to the tree if the latter is alive.
Image Source: pnas.com
There are two major types of wood sealers:
1) Oil-Based Wood Sealer
Oiled-based sealers work the same way water-based sealers do, with the difference being the oil base found in oil sealers. If your furniture sits outdoors, it might be better to use an oil-based wood sealer because it has better UV resistance than water-based sealers.
2) Water-Based Wood Sealer
A water-based wood sealer penetrates the wood pores to seal it and prevent moisture from accessing the inner parts of the wood. Additionally, they are a fast-drying alternative. These outdoor wood furniture sealers are great for wooden materials with low absorption rates and are more environmentally friendly.
Best Outdoor Wood Sealers
1. Minwax Polycrylic Protective Wood Finish
- PROTECT WOOD SURFACES – Minwax Polycrylic Protective Finish...
- CRYSTAL CLEAR FINISH THAT LASTS – The crystal clear finished...
- SATIN SHEEN – Give your wood projects a sleek finish with this...
- ULTRA FAST DRYING – Get more done with this protective poly...
- EASY CLEAN UP – This water-based wood finish allows for easy...
Image Source: Lowes.com
This is the finish I used outdoors on my furniture because of its beautiful results, and it repeatedly proves itself. In addition, I noticed the finish does not yellow over time, ensuring cleaning the surfaces afterward is easy.
Minwax sealant has no pungent fumes, and I was safe when applying it. The low odor sealant gives a clear finish, ensuring the results did not conflict with my decor. This is the best wood sealer to use as it is fast drying and durable.
Pros:
Cons:
2. Shabby Chic Sealant
- Shabby Chic Multi Surface Sealant is a water-based low sheen...
- Protect interior and exterior painted surfaces. Protects against...
- Uses including wooden furniture, window frames, doors,...
- The multi surface sealant has the ability to expand and contract...
- ADVANCED FORMULA: Non-toxic, Water-Based, Low Odor, ultra low...
Shabby Chic is a multi-surface sealant that works well for different materials, including wood. For example, with stunning results, we used the sealant on a chalk paint surface and as an exterior penetrating wood stain.
Image Source: ubuy.ke
The multi-varied feature on the paint makes it a great buy. More often than not, we have leftover sealants that we cannot use on other surfaces. However, when it comes to Shabby Chic, we could use the leftover sealant on other surfaces.
Pros:
Cons:
3. Rust-Oleum Water-Based Sealant
- Protects indoor wood surfaces such as furniture, windows,...
- Water based formula dries fast and cleans up with soap and water
- Dries to the touch in 30 minutes with coverage up to 31.25 sq....
- Durable formula provides outstanding stain and scratch resistance...
- Gloss finish creates a polished and clean look
We used the Rust-Oleum waterproofing wood sealer when we wanted to seal wood fast, and amazingly, we gained a glossy surface in return. Rust-Oleum will seal exterior wood and interior furniture, maintaining the wood's natural color for long periods.
Image Source: Lowes.com
Whenever I work on a rushed project, I use Rust-Oleum because it becomes dry to the touch in about 30 minutes. Additionally, I can use the sealant indoors with the windows open because it does not have a bad odor.
Pros:
Cons:
4. Ready Seal Wood Sealer
- Requires no primer. Ready Seal is darkest when first applied. It...
- May be applied using sprayer, roller or brush onto the woods...
- Requires no back brushing and will nerver leave runs, laps, or...
- Requires no wet-line application, the product will blend itself...
- Requires no diluting or thinning prior to spray applications.
Image Source: HomeDepot.com
With Ready Seal, we got a neat surface without streaks or runs on the wood because it forms a consistent surface after application. When applying the sealant, I do not need to strip, sand, or prepare the surface. This makes it a suitable sealant if I have no sanding paper.
Pros:
Cons:
5. Seal-Once Marine Premium Wood Sealant
- MARINE SEALANT: Our liquid formula creates a UV-stable coating...
- DECK STAIN: It's water-based, ultra-low VOC, great for enhancing...
- WATERPROOF WOOD SEALER: The wood used on boat docks, decks, and...
- WOOD SEALANT: Our fast-drying protector penetrates wood below the...
- SEAL-ONCE: Our user-friendly wood sealers and stains are an...
As the name suggests, this sealant serves all the needs other sealants don’t since you seal once. The name pretty much says it all but with much longer life – very good for areas with wooden floors and front decks.
Image Source: BobVila.com
The Seal-Once sealer penetrates into the cellular wood level thus forms a breathing barrier. It enabled it to provide the assurance for the seal and we believe that it has improved the lifespan of our wooden floors further. Also, it is rather non-porous, so we could wash it with soapy water once it evaporates and disappear.
Pros:
Cons:
How to Apply Sealant on Wood Surfaces
Image Source: homedepot.com
Here is how to correctly apply outdoor wood furniture sealer.
Things you will need.
- Sander or sandpaper
- Synthetic nylon or bristle brush
- Sealant
- Tack cloth
- A rag
- Bucket
Important Disclaimer: ensure you are doing these activities outdoors to protect yourself from inhaling fumes you are not supposed to inhale.
Step 1
Sand the surface of the wood so that you get to see the grain of the wood. Thus, the protective coating may not adhere well to the surface leaving a smooth wooden surface after sometime. For this reason sanding has to be carried out on the surface.
Step 2
The wood sealer will also not soak into the surface you are sealing if the surface is not clean sufficiently. Wood stains or sealers act in a way that allows them to penetrate the pores of the wood, and when that surface is covered with dirt or dust that will not let the liquid penetrate the surface of the wood. As a result, it is always important to wash the target surface prior working on it. Therefore, use a wet rug to wipe over the surface, then leave to dry.
Step 3
Follow the instructions on the sealer and mix appropriate parts in the bucket.
Step 4
Be generous with the wood sealers ensuring the brush is soaked in it and no surface is left properly unattended once you are done.
Step 5
Pay attention to the end grain because this is where water seeps in and cracks the whole wood. The parts at the corners of the wood are where you need to focus as they go unattended most of the time, compromising the wood in the long run.
Step 6
Allow the sealant to set in properly by letting it dry for 24 hours before taking it outdoors. Wood sealants do not take very long. However, do not keep the sealed wood inside the space you will stay in because turpentine or mineral spirits may cause inflammation when inhaled.
Step 7
Once the sealant is dry, you are good to take the wooden furniture outside to face whatever the outdoors has in store.
Tips to Follow When Using a Wood Sealant
Image Source: resin-expert.com
Other Ways of Protecting Wood Outdoors
Apart from applying wood stains, there are other ways in which you can protect your outdoor furniture from damage. Some of these methods may come in handy even after applying the sealant.
1) Painting Wood
Image Source: tonycarrdesigns.com
Paint sealed wooden panels are more durable outdoors than wooden panels that had not been painted at all. The benefits of painting wood are, for instance, protection from UV light, while many of the wood sealers on the market have this feature. Besides, painting gives the wood a nice appearance making it more presentable. This is especially the case depending on the type of fence in question.
Other benefits of painting wood with oil paint include; protection against moisture. This is was because the oil does not allow the water to stick so as to protect the wood from rotting. It is only when moisture is prevented from penetrating the wood, that, when the paint is removed, the wood does not turn that shade of colour naturally. Thirdly, it will not need much painting and repainting once it has been done in the first instance.
The disadvantage with painting is the creation of pockets below the layers of pain especially when exposed to direct sunlight way before they are supposed to. Furthermore, scratch on the painted surface puts the wood in contact with other unfavorable by products that may cause damage.
There are many painting ideas to help you achieve the best results.
2) Varnishing
Varnishing is one of the most popular ways of protecting wood outdoors and indoors. In addition, there are a lot of advantages of varnish, including protecting the wood from direct UV rays by absorbing the sunlight.
Image Source: homedepot.com
Varnishing allows the wood to keep its natural wood grain color, which most sealers do not achieve. The best part is that the brush strokes will not be visible on the surface of the wood.
The downside with varnish is how slowly it dries up after application. Also, when applying, bubbles can form on the wood surface. This makes painting the surface a bit more tedious. Once varnished, the wood will need to be redone sooner than if you used a sealer.
3) Keeping Furniture Indoors
It is wise to keep the furniture indoors when not in use to avoid damage from environmental elements prevailing outdoors.
4) Cover the Furniture Outdoors
Image Source: homesandgardens.com
If you have furniture outdoors, get a covering like a gazebo to keep the sun and the rain away. The covering might only protect the wood from direct sunlight but not moisture which tends to seep in.
5) Cleanliness
Cleaning the wood frequently will prevent the build-up of any form of dirt that may lead to the deterioration of the wood. In addition, cleaning the surface helps reveal the parts that require attention.
Things That Damage Wood Outdoors
a) UV Rays
Image Source: westelm.com
UV rays can cause discoloration of the wood surface which is not a good look, especially if you have invested in landscaping your backyard.
b) Heat
With time, I realized that small chips were forming on the surface of my furniture after a while. This was because the heat from the sun was causing the wood to crack due to the constant contraction and expansion. This can lead to eventual damage.
Image Source: thespruce.com
Covering the surface and applying bright paint is the best way to protect outdoor wood furniture from heat.
c) Moisture and Rain
Moisture does not only come from rain. When dew forms on the wood, the effects are similar to those from the wood getting rained on. Luckily, a rain guard will protect the wood from water damage.
The situation worsens when the rain is preceded by heat from the sun, which causes a lot of strain on the wood.
Image Source: enclosureguy.com
Waterproofing wood is one way you can go about the situation. For example, you can use advanced tung oil polymers if your furniture is made of untreated wood.
e) Mold and Mildew
Mold and mildew can form on the wood if it sits on a damp surface. When wood fibers soak in water, you get damp wood which is a breeding environment for mold.
Even the best outdoor wood sealers will not protect your wood from mildew if exposed carelessly. Luckily, there are ways of removing mold from the wood once it forms.
f) Beetles
Image Source: nytimes.com
Are you familiar with wood beetles? These can be a nightmare.
Final Take
Wood is a great material for floors, patios, verandahs, and indoor and outdoor furniture, and getting the right sealer gives the furniture a lifeline to hold on to for years to come.
