- In order to protect the look and integrity of your new wood furniture, we strongly recommend that you apply either an oil-based stain or polyurethane product over every surface. So, please, protect your furniture right away! If it will be some time before you can stain your furniture, keep it in a dry place until you can do so.
If you wish to protect your furniture but still want to see the beautiful wood grain and knots, you may select a sheer oil-based stain. Due to its high oil content, a moisturizing oil-based stain applied to pine furniture, helps it outlast furniture made of hardwood. A sheer stain adds a hint of color but still allows the wood grain to show through. Or, if you would like to see the wood grain but do not wish to add color, you may use a polyurethane product especially for outdoors called spar urethane.This will slightly darken the color of the wood but you will still see the textures and details of the wood.
Depending upon which look you are trying to achieve, you can choose between satin, semi-gloss or glossy finishes for spar urethane. If you do not care to see the wood grain texture, you may use a solid stain or a solid exterior oil-based paint. All of these wood preservatives can be found at your local home improvement or hardware store.
