Questions about Outdoor Rockers

How often should I refinish my outdoor rocking chair?
The answer to this question is not as simple as you may think. Many factors are to be considered when caring for your outdoor rocking chair. Consider the weather where you live. Is it sunny and hot, cool and wet? Do you store the outdoor rocking chair in the winter?

Cover it?
Consider the look you like for your outdoor rocking chair. If you decide not to refinish your outdoor rocking chair, you may let your outdoor rocking chair slowly weather to a silver/gray. Many of our customers love this look while others prefer to keep the 'like-new' look. The sun and exposure to the elements change the surface color of unprotected woods but does not affect the structural integrity of the wood in your outdoor wooden rocking chair. Whether or not you decide to keep the 'like-new' color or let it gray, it is important to clean the outdoor rocking chair at least once a year.

What kind of weather finish should I use on my outdoor rocking chair?

Paint?
You can certainly paint your outdoor rocking chair if you so desire. Be sure to use a good primer on the clean, bare wood before applying the finish coat. Of any exterior finish, paint offers the best form of protection. However, paint will eventually peel from your wood outdoor rocking chair and will be more unsightly over time than a wipe on finish if it's not attended to. In fact, most outdoor finishes will only last 1-3 years before they need to be renewed. That takes a commitment on your part to periodically protect your outdoor rocking chair.

Do you live in a wet climate?
Look for a product with a mold inhibitor for your outdoor rocking chair.

Do you live in a hot climate?
Most good finishes will have UV protection in them and a yearly application to your outdoor rocking chair is recommended. If you don't intend to renew the finish on your outdoor rocking chair, the wood will turn a silvery grey color. It's fine to let the wood's natural properties protect against decay, rot and insect infestation.

How do I clean my outdoor rocking chair?
A pressure washer makes cleaning your outdoor rocking chair super easy. Otherwise you can clean your outdoor rocking chair with a soft brush and a good wood cleaner available at most hardware stores. Be sure to rinse your outdoor rocking chair well and allow to dry thoroughly before applying any finish.

A mild soap and water bath once a week for your outdoor rocking chair is a good inexpensive way to start your outdoor rocking chair care program. Just use a pan of warm sudsy water and a cloth or paper towels. Follow up with a pan of clear water and rinse the soap off your outdoor rocking chair so that you don't end up with a soapy film on your outdoor rocking chair. Be sure that the surface of your outdoor rocking chair is dry after washing.
Spills should be wiped up as soon as they happen on your outdoor rocking chair.