Whats the best way to finish an oak garden bench?
I’ve sanded it down to bare wood and plan to park it in a full sun location. A: It’s a good thing you asked because there are dozens of ways to go wrong finishing outdoor furniture, and just a few ways to succeed. The problem is the widespread use of film-forming varnishes and paints. Most look great when new, but inevitably start peeling. Removing this mess is troublesome on outdoor furniture because of the slats and corners and inaccessible areas. This is why an oil finish makes sense. Daub it onto the wood with a rag or brush, let it soak in, then wipe off any excess. Let the oil dry for several days, then repeat. I know from experience Circa 1850 Tung ‘N Teak oil works well in this application. You need to reapply the oil every year, but the job is quick and easy because it never involves scraping or removal of flakes. Protect your garden bench from the weather in the off-season, and consider placing it in the shade when possible to extend finish life. If you want to take things re
