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Freshening Up wood chairs

Zahid_63cZahid_63c Posts: 121
in Problem solving
I've bought some wooden chairs from Facebook marketplace
Wanted advise as to what steps I need to take to freshen them up and make them look new(ish) again
They are in pretty good condition and got them at a good price 
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Posts

  • WildliferWildlifer Posts: 52
    Hi! 
    What kind of effect did you want to achieve? Natural wood? A specific colour? 
  • Hostafan1Hostafan1 Posts: 34,889
    I think you risk making them look worse if you mess about with them. 
    I'd leave them be.

    Devon.
  • JennyJJennyJ Posts: 10,576
    You could sand down and re-varnish the wood if you wanted to, but I think I'd just give them a wash down and see what they look like after that.
    Doncaster, South Yorkshire. Soil type: sandy, well-drained
  • Zahid_63cZahid_63c Posts: 121
    Natural look
    Don't want to do anything drastic 
    Which varnish should I use?
    Sorry total novice! 
  • B3B3 Posts: 27,505
    I would use a clear matt varnish that is weatherproof.
    In London. Keen but lazy.
  • Nanny BeachNanny Beach Posts: 8,719
    Leave them be
  • K67K67 Posts: 2,506
    Leave them. We sanded down a bench and put on yatch varnish but it didn't last long before it needed redoing,
    Danish oil isn't bad and it's easy to recoat as it doesn't flake off like varnish. 
  • tui34tui34 Posts: 3,493
    Linseed oil or teak oil for outdoor wooden furniture.  If you think it is too thick, you can thin it down.
    A good hoeing is worth two waterings.

  • Lizzie27Lizzie27 Posts: 12,494
    I'd leave them. They look okay to me and whatever you do, after a year or so, you will have to do it again.
    North East Somerset - Clay soil over limestone
  • ObelixxObelixx Posts: 30,090
    I don't like varnish for outdoor wood as I find it weathers badly so I'd give them a good clean to see what you have.  If they're varnished and the surface is damaged or scratched or chipped you'll be needing to sand them down to get an even surface which can then be cleaned with a damp cloth and either oiled or varnished.

    I find linseed oil sticky so use teak oil or else olive oil for cooking (not extra virgin) mixed with the juice of a lemon to a 750cl bottle.

    I'd also try and find some plastic studs to stick under the feet to keep the wood up off the terrace in wet weather - once the chairs have been cleaned and treated.
    Vendée - 20kms from Atlantic coast.
    "The price good men (and women) pay for indifference to public affairs is to be ruled by evil men (and women)."
    Plato
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