Caring for Your Stained Adirondack Furniture

Many customers chose to include staining of their furniture as part of our handcrafting process. This allows for their furniture to arrive perfectly finished and ready to enjoy!

Our Process

Our industry-leading four-step staining process begins with a full immersion technique where each piece of wood is dipped in an 80-gallon vat of SICO ProLuxe, the best outdoor stain on the market, which is equivalent to three coats of stain. Once dry, we hand -spray three additional coats of stain with fine hand sanding between each coat - achieving a beautiful long-lasting finish.

However, like with all things the furniture will eventually need a little attention to maintain their look and longevity.

There are two options for keeping your products looking great:

1. You can either apply an easy fresh coat each spring to keep it looking new year-round, or
2. You can wait until your finish begins to fade and refinish it completely (a longer process). 

Pro Tip: For touch-ups or re-staining, we recommend SICO ProLuxe (either 078 for light/golden stained products or 045 for the dark/mahogany stained products). Alternatively, you can use a similar oil-based stain (be sure to compare UV ratings as not all stains provide that protection).

Important: Before touching up or refinishing your wood Adirondack furniture be sure to read the product labels to familiarize yourself with safety protocols. For example, never stain products indoors, only in well-ventilated areas; and never store stain-soiled fabric in a pile as this can potentially become a fire hazard.

OPTION 1 - ANNUAL MAINTENANCE

Keeping your Adirondack furniture looking brand new is easy - it just requires a simple annual touch-up. Each spring, take a few moments to look over your Adirondack furniture for scratches, dents or naturally occurring blemishes. Leave as-is if you prefer an antiqued distressed wood look.

Here are the recommended steps to take for annual maintenance:

PREPARE

1. Lightly sand using 120 grit sandpaper.
2. Wipe to remove dust and dirt and let dry completely before applying the stain.

RE-STAIN

1. Lightly dip a cloth into the stain and wipe down your furnishing. You don't have to worry about getting it absolutely perfect because you are not actually staining the products, you are only refreshing the finish to keep it looking new.
2. If there are areas that appear lighter simply wipe them down again after that first coat has dried. It only takes a few minutes to touch up our treated products each spring and it ensures you a longer-lasting finish that stays looking new.

OPTION 2 - DEFERRED MAINTENANCE

If you choose to wait a few years to completely refinish your treated Adirondack furniture you will have a bit more work to do to get that beautiful original finish back.

Here are the recommended steps to take in refinishing:

PREPARE

1. Using 120 grit sandpaper, sand away any scratches, flaws or dents, and smooth over any rough spots.
2. Vacuum away any dust or dirt, then wipe with a damp cloth or a tack cloth (available at paint supply stores) to ensure no dust reside remains.

RE-STAIN

First Coat

1. Using SICO ProLuxe (or a comparable outdoor oil-based stain) use a brush or sponge applicator go over each piece lightly.
2. Check for drips and smooth them over before the stain dries.
3. Let your Adirondack chairs dry completely (usually 24 hours) in a dry well-ventilated place outside of your home as breathing fumes can be dangerous.

Second Coat

1. Once completely dry, lightly sand with a 220 grit sandpaper. Once again, be sure to clean off all dust by vacuuming then wiping with a damp cloth or tack cloth.
2. Apply the second coat similar to the first coat. Note, this second coat is lighter. Be sure to check for drips and wipe them off, if necessary.
3. Let your Adirondack furniture dry completely (usually 24-48 hours) in a dry well-ventilated outdoor place.

Third Coat

1. Lightly sand with a 320 grit sandpaper and be sure to clean off all dust by vacuuming and wiping.
2. Apply the third coat the same way as the first two, keeping this coat light. Again, be sure to wipe off all drips and check shortly thereafter for more drips.
3. Let your Adirondack furniture dry completely (usually 24-48 hours) in a dry well-ventilated place outdoor place.

If the Adirondack furniture does not have a heavy enough finish for your liking you can repeat the last step for an additional 1 or 2 coats, as necessary. 

Three coats of SICO ProLuxe usually last about 2-5 years in direct sunlight, the 4th coat can last 3-8 years. 

Pro tip: Don’t go too heavy on the coats or the stain will pool on the surface and act like a film instead of a stain. The wood needs to be able to breathe if the finish is going to last.

If you need any assistance or have questions please feel free to contact us or call our toll free number at 1-800-418-1433.