Full Answer
How to stain a picnic table?
Next, you will want to stain the top of the picnic table and apply the stain evenly over the whole surface. Make sure to cover the whole area. This wood was really dry and soaked up nearly a full gallon of stain on its own. When you are buying stain, ask the clerk if you can return any of the unopened ones.
Do you have to sand a table before staining?
There shouldn't be any need to sand your new table. Lay plastic sheeting on the ground and turn the table over -- you'll need help for this. Stain the undersides of the tabletop and benches, as well as the legs and braces, by applying the stain with a paintbrush.
What kind of finish would you put on a picnic table?
What Finish Coating Would You Put on a Picnic Table? 1 Semi-Transparent Stains. Left completely untreated, ultraviolet rays from the sun will cause exposed wood to lose its natural color, turn gray and begin displaying longitudinal cracks. 2 Solid-Color Stains. ... 3 Acrylic Latex Paint. ... 4 Clear Sealants. ...
Do picnic tables need to be coated?
Left to nature, an uncoated wood table would eventually decay from exposure to sunlight, rain and wet, falling leaves. Fortunately, you can choose from an attractive array of stains, clears and paints that will add years to the life of your picnic table.
Why flip a table upside down?
What to use to get in cracks in hardware?
Can you stain a picnic table?
Does staining a picnic table take skill?
How much stain is needed to stain a picnic table?
Wondering how much stain you need for the table? Every table is different, but for an average 6 ft. picnic table, you'll need enough stain to cover 86 square feet of surface area.
How many coats of stain do you need on a picnic table?
three coatsStain Option After you select your stain color and apply it, you are going to want to put at least three coats of the clear finish we discussed earlier over that stain to protect it from the weather.
How much wood stain do I need for a table?
Calculate the total deck area: Total Area = Floor Area + Railing Area + Steps Area . Finally, divide the total area by the factor 175 ft2 per gallon to get the total amount of stain: Amount of stain = Total Area × (1 gal / 175 ft²) .
Should I stain my picnic table?
Staining your picnic table helps it blend with your outdoor decor, but that isn't the primary purpose of stain. Because it's formulated to resist moisture and sunlight, stain helps your table last longer. To get this benefit, however, you have to cover the table thoroughly.
What is the best finish for a picnic table?
Many wood makers view polyurethane as one of the best finishes for any picnic table because it offers greater protection to the wood and does not emit harmful vapors.
How do you weatherproof a wooden picnic table?
There are three surefire ways to waterproof your wood for years to come. Use linseed or Tung oil to create a beautiful and protective hand-rubbed finish. Seal the wood with coating of polyurethane, varnish, or lacquer. Finish and waterproof wood simultaneously with a stain-sealant combo.
How do I calculate how much stain I need?
How Much Stain Do I Need For My Deck? For decks and patios that measure up to 175 square feet, you will only need one gallon of stain, in any transparency. If your deck or patio measures up to 550 square feet, you will need to buy 2 gallons of stain.
How much will a gallon of stain cover?
On average most deck stains cover 150-300 sq. ft. per gallon depending on the age, condition, and porosity of the wood.
How much will 8 oz of stain cover?
70 sq. ft.Easy to use wood finish covers up to 70 sq. ft. per 8 oz.
What should I seal my picnic table with?
Apply an even coat of water-based wood sealant to the entire table with a paintbrush. A water-repellent wood preservative is typically best, as it can protect against sun damage, mildew and termites, depending on the brand you purchase.
What kind of paint do you use on a wooden picnic table?
Acrylic Latex Paint While there are thousands of colors to choose from, most picnic tables are painted a glossy forest green, dark brown or black. Acrylic latex paints resist the chipping, flaking, and chalking that are characteristics of traditional oil paints, and you can expect the coating to last 10 to 15 years.
What wood is best for picnic table?
Softwood species like Cedar, Redwood and Douglas fir are all good options that are both weather-resistant and available at most lumber yards. These are the best woods for picnic tables because they are lightweight and extremely tough.
What kind of paint do you use on a wooden picnic table?
Acrylic Latex Paint While there are thousands of colors to choose from, most picnic tables are painted a glossy forest green, dark brown or black. Acrylic latex paints resist the chipping, flaking, and chalking that are characteristics of traditional oil paints, and you can expect the coating to last 10 to 15 years.
What wood is best for picnic table?
Softwood species like Cedar, Redwood and Douglas fir are all good options that are both weather-resistant and available at most lumber yards. These are the best woods for picnic tables because they are lightweight and extremely tough.
How do you stain a table?
1:345:03How to Finish a Wood Table | Ask This Old House - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipOkay well the most important part of staining is wiping. Off any stain that the wood doesn't absorb.MoreOkay well the most important part of staining is wiping. Off any stain that the wood doesn't absorb. So get rid of all this excess.
Can I paint over a stained picnic table?
1. Begin by cleaning your picnic table with soapy water to remove dirt and grime. Sand the table to make sure the surface is splinter-free and then rinse after sanding. Allow surface to dry before painting.
What to do before staining a picnic table?
Before you stain your picnic table, you will need to inspect it and see if there are any boards that need to be fixed. You’ll also want to take note of any other fixing that needs to take place, like screws sticking out. Loose boards and splinters sticking out are a good sign to remove the board and replace it.
How long does it take for a stain to dry?
Once you are done, you simply need to let the stain dry for a few hours or a day, depending on the instructions you have for your stain. This one said you could reapply in 3-4 hours, but we will leave it for now.
Can you stain a picnic table upside down?
By flipping it upside down, we were able to stain the underside of it way easier than it would have been had we been on our backs on the ground trying to cover everything. When you are doing this, make sure that you are getting all the hard to reach and areas you can’t see. Depending on what kind of picnic table you have, it could have a lot of nooks to stain—so double check before you are done with the underside of the picnic table.
How to check if a table is dry?
Check the table for moisture content by sprinkling a few drops of water on the surface. If the wood absorbs them readily, the table is dry, but if they bead up, wait a few days before sealing the wood with stain. Once you're sure the wood is dry, wipe the table with a damp rag, because new wood tables are often coated with a fine layer of wood dust.
What degree does Chris Deziel have?
Chris Deziel has a bachelor's degree in physics and a master's degree in humanities. Besides having an abiding interest in popular science, Deziel has been active in the building and home design trades since 1975. As a landscape builder, he helped establish two gardening companies. Related Articles.
Why do you stain a picnic table?
Staining your picnic table helps it blend with your outdoor decor, but that isn't the primary purpose of stain. Because it's formulated to resist moisture and sunlight, stain helps your table last longer. To get this benefit, however, you have to cover the table thoroughly.
Do you need to sand a new wood table?
Once you're sure the wood is dry, wipe the table with a damp rag, because new wood tables are often coated with a fine layer of wood dust. There shouldn't be any need to sand your new table.
What type of stain is best for wood?
The type of stain you use will also affect the amount of stain you'll need on your project. Gel stains are thicker in consistency and stay more on the surface of the wood, while oil-based stains sink deep into the pores of the wood and may require more stain.
What is the curveball in staining?
One curveball in wood staining is that different woods have different porosities, meaning that the pores of the wood accept more stains than other woods.
Why are safety glasses recommended?
We always recommend safety glasses because some stain products could be damaging to your eyes.
What rollers do you use to apply stains?
Paint rollers also work great for applying stains.
How to inspect a stain after applying it?
After you've applied the stain, inspect the results by shining a flashlight onto the surface of the job.
How to measure the square footage of a stain?
Use a measuring tape to measure the surface area of your project. You'll notice on the label of most wood finish products that it typically tells you the estimated total square footage that each can of stain will cover.
Is staining easier than painting?
Staining is arguably easier than painting because all you have to do is wipe the stain onto the surface of the wood, but there are some crucial steps you should take to do the job right (like wiping off the excess stain).
What color is a picnic table?
While there are thousands of colors to choose from, most picnic tables are painted a glossy forest green, dark brown or black. Acrylic latex paints resist the chipping, flaking, and chalking that are characteristics of traditional oil paints, and you can expect the coating to last 10 to 15 years.
How long does a semi transparent stain last?
A high-quality stain will last as long as three years before recoating is necessary.
What is the best way to protect a stained table top from rain?
Clear Sealants. A clear sealant such as an exterior polyurethane finish or a spar varnish will protect a stained or painted tabletop from rain and snow -- and just as importantly, the sealant will prevent your wood from being discolored by spilled wine, mustard or barbecue sauce.
What is a solid color stain?
Solid-Color Stains. A solid-color stain will conceal the color variations within a wood tabletop but reveal plenty of the wood's natural texture. While this type of stain can be used on a new table, solid-color stains are more often used on wood that has endured several years of outdoor exposure.
Why do picnic tables decay?
Left to nature, an uncoated wood table would eventually decay from exposure to sunlight, rain and wet, falling leaves.
How long does oil based sealant last on a table?
A good-quality sealant will hold up to the elements for three to five years. Advertisement.
What causes wood to turn gray?
Left completely untreated, ultraviolet rays from the sun will cause exposed wood to lose its natural color, turn gray and begin displaying longitudinal cracks. A lightly pigmented exterior wood stain will enhance a wood table's true color and retard serious UV damage.
Why flip a table upside down?
With the help of a friend (this is a 2-person job), flip the table upside-down for easier access to the legs and bench supports.
What to use to get in cracks in hardware?
Foam brushes. These will come in handy when you are getting in the cracks or around the hardware.
Can you stain a picnic table?
Prior to staining your picnic table, be sure your picnic table is clean and free of any mold, mildew or dirt. ( Find out how to clean a picnic table here.) Give time for your picnic table to dry. Then, sand all surfaces you’ll be staining.
Does staining a picnic table take skill?
Not only does stain update the look of your picnic table, but it extends its life, giving you more years of enjoyment around it. Staining a picnic table doesn't take professional skill or a large budget - it's a simple project you can do yourself.