I'm painting two delapitated garden chairs in the same way obelixx, just the front seat and back slats.
I
was daunted by the thought of having to rub them down all over and as they are old anyway. I think it was you Beaus Mum who is giving a light rubbing down before painting to 'distress'. Good idea.
One tip I can give you before starting a project is to clean old wooden furniture witha a mixture of equal parts of boiled linseed oïl, turpentine and white spirit vinegar. If you intend to paint, first remove any knobs, handles etc. Rub the mixture on with a soft cloth to remove all dirt. Keep applying till it comes clean. Use an old toothbrush to get into awkward corners and carvings. If it's really ingrained, use finest mesh wire wool that doesn't scratch. Wipe off excess with another cloth and leave to dry and air for a day before doing any repairs to holes and starting to paint.
This method avoids the need for heavy sanding which can remove any patina you wish to preserve. It's great for bringing new life to something you don't want to paint such as oak or antique pine furniture and feeds the wood of anything you do intend to paint. Bit like moisturising your skin before applying make up.
If you're using water based paints, leave it to dry an extra day before painting and protect the finished effect with a couple of coats of acrylic varnish but not more than 3 as it will go milky.
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)."
You must be physic because it's too wet to work in the garden so the plan is to try and finish the garden chairs.
I can't decide wether to paint them or just remove the dirt and old varnish and re varnish even if old stuff doesn't come off. It's to give them a few more years of use as the wood is in reasonable condition. I'll clean them up using the mixture you recommend and see how they look then?
Good idea. It'll be good for the wood whichever you decide to do in the end. If you don't paint, use yacht varnish as it hardens really well. Wear rubber gloves and make sure you're working in a well ventilated space and protect other surfaces - floor, table etc - while you apply the mixture.
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)."
Good morning Just a quick note to say ill be away for the weekend
Hope you all enjoy your projects and gardening this weekend and look forward to updates and pics when I'm back home tomorrow
Thank you obelixx for your advise above, sounds like you do a real professional job and puts me to shame Hope you have a lovely time at your dance festival
Dont forget me when you pop over to Belgium. Im thinking of painting my dining chairs. They are the same style but have two very different finishes as I got them from two different people on ebay. Ill have to investigate colour though, if I paint them pink I might just get thrown out!!! Annie Sloan paint sounds like it might be just the job. Enjoy your weekend BM see you when you get back. Thanks for the tips Obelixx Ill get the stuff and mix up a solution and try it on the chairs.
Sorry - been out all day at the braderie where the dance club has a stand for publicity for the coming season of classes. The braderie includes a flea market where I found an old grey enamel colander to use for plants and a blue and white china ginger jar which I shall use for mint tea bags.
Just add boiled linseed oïl to the turps and vinegar and shake well. Do not use raw linseed oil - don't know why. My notes just say it must be boiled oil. It's 15 or 16 years since I did the class and the lady who ran it went home to Canada 12 years ago.
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)."
Posts
I'm painting two delapitated garden chairs in the same way obelixx, just the front seat and back slats.
I
was daunted by the thought of having to rub them down all over and as they are old anyway. I think it was you Beaus Mum who is giving a light rubbing down before painting to 'distress'. Good idea.
It's takes time, will post photos
I just cleaned/scrubbed first and that took for ever!
Im going for an authentic peeled aged look 
Ie not rubbing down 
look forward to seeing your pics Bizzie
One tip I can give you before starting a project is to clean old wooden furniture witha a mixture of equal parts of boiled linseed oïl, turpentine and white spirit vinegar. If you intend to paint, first remove any knobs, handles etc. Rub the mixture on with a soft cloth to remove all dirt. Keep applying till it comes clean. Use an old toothbrush to get into awkward corners and carvings. If it's really ingrained, use finest mesh wire wool that doesn't scratch. Wipe off excess with another cloth and leave to dry and air for a day before doing any repairs to holes and starting to paint.
This method avoids the need for heavy sanding which can remove any patina you wish to preserve. It's great for bringing new life to something you don't want to paint such as oak or antique pine furniture and feeds the wood of anything you do intend to paint. Bit like moisturising your skin before applying make up.
If you're using water based paints, leave it to dry an extra day before painting and protect the finished effect with a couple of coats of acrylic varnish but not more than 3 as it will go milky.
You must be physic because it's too wet to work in the garden so the plan is to try and finish the garden chairs.
I can't decide wether to paint them or just remove the dirt and old varnish and re varnish even if old stuff doesn't come off. It's to give them a few more years of use as the wood is in reasonable condition. I'll clean them up using the mixture you recommend and see how they look then?
Good idea. It'll be good for the wood whichever you decide to do in the end. If you don't paint, use yacht varnish as it hardens really well. Wear rubber gloves and make sure you're working in a well ventilated space and protect other surfaces - floor, table etc - while you apply the mixture.
Good morning
Just a quick note to say ill be away for the weekend
Hope you all enjoy your projects and gardening this weekend and look forward to updates and pics when I'm back home tomorrow
Thank you obelixx for your advise above, sounds like you do a real professional job and puts me to shame
Hope you have a lovely time at your dance festival 
Dont forget me when you pop over to Belgium. Im thinking of painting my dining chairs. They are the same style but have two very different finishes as I got them from two different people on ebay. Ill have to investigate colour though, if I paint them pink I might just get thrown out!!! Annie Sloan paint sounds like it might be just the job. Enjoy your weekend BM see you when you get back. Thanks for the tips Obelixx Ill get the stuff and mix up a solution and try it on the chairs.
Obelixx do you boil all three components together or just add boiled linseed oil to the other two?
I was just thinking that Yvie
Great tip obelixx
Sorry - been out all day at the braderie where the dance club has a stand for publicity for the coming season of classes. The braderie includes a flea market where I found an old grey enamel colander to use for plants and a blue and white china ginger jar which I shall use for mint tea bags.
Just add boiled linseed oïl to the turps and vinegar and shake well. Do not use raw linseed oil - don't know why. My notes just say it must be boiled oil. It's 15 or 16 years since I did the class and the lady who ran it went home to Canada 12 years ago.