With any exterior project, it is important to check the weather forecast before starting the job. The temperature cannot be lower than 5 degrees Celsius, otherwise the paint will not dry completely. It is also essential that you don’t carry out the painting when it’s showering or raining. Wood fibres can absorb the moisture from the rain which will eventually cause the wood to rot inside out, so it is important to keep the wood as dry as possible.
You will only need a few products to give your garden table a new lease of life. First, you will ensure that the surface is clean and smooth. If you paint over dirt and old chipping paint, the surface of the table will be uneven and discoloured. Be sure to remove as much of the old paint layer as possible. After you’ve done all the dusting and scraping, we recommend that you use our cleaning agent Homeenpoisto – a water-based solution that deep-cleans timber surfaces. It will also kill all spores and prevent mould from formation. This is especially important if you don’t have a roof over your garden furniture.
Now onto priming! This step should not be skipped as it’s essential if you want to achieve a smooth finish. It will also help your paint to absorb into the wood and provide waterproof protection. Top tip! If you have chosen a bright-coloured paint for your garden table, we recommended tinting your primer to the same shade for the highest depth of colour. For exterior wooden furniture, we recommend our Ultra Primer which is available in thousands of colour choices. Simply visit our Colour Directory to select your shade.
Finally, it’s time to paint your wooden garden table! Make sure you use paint that is suitable for outdoor wooden furniture. Our Unica Akva is perfect for restoring exterior furniture in need of some TLC. Unica Akva is a semi-gloss water-based acrylic paint for wood and metal. Once you are finished applying your coat, please handle your finished table with care for 4 weeks. That is when the paint achieves its final hardness and durability.
Prevention is always better than cure, so if you have an indoor space where your table can be stored over the colder months, we advise to keep it there until spring. You can also protect your table with a garden furniture cover if space is an issue. That way you will be able to enjoy your table for many warm seasons to come.
Putting the idea into practice...
How to restore your garden table