Save Outdoor Furniture from Scratch

By Kathy Moran

Last week’s article contained some practical advice for extending the lives of porch chairs and other wooden patio furniture, by taking steps to keep it looking its best throughout its lifetime. Although we covered a few tricks that will hide some of the nicks and scrapes that come with years of use, we barely scratched the surface (sorry!).Sometimes, one of the best remedies for fine scratches is a mixture of paste wax and elbow grease. Simply apply the wax, and buff vigorously. For deeper scratches, use superfine sandpaper, going with the grain, and baby oil or mineral oil. In most cases, you can use either wet or dry sandpaper; but if it’s an older veneer piece, use only dry, as there may be minuscule high spots where the wet paper can wear off the finish. For lustrous results, rub the spot with superfine steel wool that has been lubricated with oil soap, then wax and buff the entire area.You can also go to a wood-finishing supplier, and get a special touch-up pen that matches the wood, to seal and refinish scratches and worn-out areas. Before you begin, rub the area with mineral spirits and superfine sandpaper. Then, go over it with the pen, and even it out by rubbing it lightly with your finger, repeating the process until the new finish is adequately built up.Another problem that’s common to indoor and outdoor wood furniture is the white ring that can be caused by setting a glass down without using a coaster. Sometimes, the ring will go away on its own, if you wipe up the moisture in time; but if it remains after a few hours, go back and forth over the spot with a hair dryer that’s set on low. Keep the dryer at least six inches away from the wood, letting it get warm, but not hot. If the ring is still visible, diligently rub on some boiled linseed, olive, or vegetable oil, and wipe it clean.If you spill nail polish on wood furniture, do not wipe it up, as its solvents can soften and remove the finish. Wait until it dries, and then use something plastic, such as a credit card or driver’s license, to gently scrape it off. Finish by waxing the area with superfine steel wool.Of course, the best way to ensure that you will always have the most gorgeous outdoor furniture in town, is to go to CedarStore.com. With one of the largest selections available, CedarStore.com offers porch chairs, tables, dining sets, swings, benches, bar and bistro sets, gliders, lounges, rockers, accent tables, ottomans, and more.At CedarStore.com, you’ll find classic, decay-resistant wood furniture, made from cedar, pine, oak, cherry, and teak, as well as aluminum, polywood, and vinyl furniture that’s practically indestructible. Their impressive lineup also includes furniture that’s available in dozens of spectacular colors, to complement the décor of any porch, patio, or gazebo.To see the entire collection, go to cedarstore.com. To contact a design consultant or customer service representative, call 1-888-293-2339, or e-mail contact@cedarstore.com.

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