Best wood sealer for outdoor furniture & how to use it

Want to protect your patio furniture from the sun and rain? Here are the best wood sealers for outdoor furniture – metal, plastic, wood, and cushions!

Outdoor furniture is super important for defining a space and making it both beautiful and useful.

But, it can be expensive to buy. And the last thing that you want to do is spend a ton of money on something that’s just going to be destroyed by the brutal sun and rain.

That’s why it’s super important to seal your outdoor furniture. Applying a sealant is actually quick and pretty inexpensive, and can save you a ton of money on replacement furniture in the long run!

What is the best sealer for outdoor furniture?

You will want to use an outdoor sealant formulated for the material that you are sealing.

The best sealant for wooden outdoor furniture

For wooden outdoor furniture you have two options: Spar Urethane for the best possible finish, or Tung Oil for a more natural wood finish.

Spar Urethane

Spar Urethane is the ultimate in outdoor wood sealants. There are many different options by different brands, and most perform very similarly.

Pay attention to if you are grabbing water vs oil based spar urethane.

Water based urethane will often take more coats, is more expensive, and has a cooler clear color to it. Waster based products are usually easier to work with and go on very quickly and with less mess.

Oil based urethane is slightly cheaper and tends to warm up the wood tone more. It has a much harder finish, but dries slower and has a lot of odor to it.

Tung Oil

If you want to oil and protect your wooden furniture, but don’t need a completely waterproof finish, I really recommend Tung oil.

It’s super easy to apply and definitely helps with the moisture resistance of the wood.

Tung oil is natural and a lower chemical option, if that matters to you. You will need to re-apply it at least once a year to maintain it.

Stain + Seal in One

There are also many deck products designed as stain and sealant in one. If you want this, it can be a great option. Make sure whatever you buy is outdoor grade!

The best sealant for non-wooden outdoor furniture

While plastic or metal patio furniture is not going to rot and break down like wood will, it can still be great to seal it before placing it outside or at the start of each season.

A good outdoor sealant will protect your furniture from UV rays and moisture damage. It can also keep it from drying out and just bring out the best in it, visually!

We have been using this outdoor furniture protectant and it works great!

The best sealant for outdoor cushions and pillows

The easiest way to seal cushions and pillows is with a spray sealant. We have trusted and used Scotchgard brand for over a decade.

Be sure to select a can designed for outdoor use, and I suggest doing your spraying outdoors or in a well ventilated space because there is an odor when you spray it.

How do you seal outdoor furniture?

Applying a sealant will protect your outdoor furniture from the elements. It’s important to follow the right process depending on the material of the furniture and product you are using to seal it!

How to seal wooden outdoor furniture

You are going to want to apply sealant to wooden furniture to seal it. We suggest Spar Urethane.

Here are the steps to seal wooden furniture for outdoor use:

1. First, you need to prep your wood. Clean it well. We like to use our pressure washer, but you can also scrub it clean with a brush + soap and water.
2. Sand the wood to remove any roughness or peeling or damaged wood.
3. If necessary, apply outdoor wood filler to any large cracks or holes. Let dry and sand smooth.
4. Wipe your project clean with a rag or cloth to remove any dust or debris. This is important – you don’t want to seal dirt in!
5. Apply sealant. I like to use a foam paint brush to apply sealant. Apply in the direction of the grain. Don’t push hard with the brush – this will cause bubbles. Apply light, even pressure. Overlap your strokes to avoid lines in the finish.
6. Follow the instructions on your specific can of finish to sand in between coats. Instructions vary, but usually it calls for a fine grit -220 grit or higher – sand. Wipe clean and apply additional coats as needed.
7. Let dry according to the cure instructions on the can before handling.

How to seal non-wooden outdoor furniture

It’s easy to apply an outdoor furniture sealant to plastic or metal furniture.

1. Spray the sealant onto a soft cloth. I like to do 2-3 sprays.
2. Rub the spray onto the furniture, taking your time to cover every surface.
3. Repeat until finished sealing the whole thing.
4. Let air dry.

That’s it! Super simple to do.

How to seal outdoor furniture cushions and pillows

Is there anything worse than going to sit on an outdoor chair, not realizing that the cushions is as wet as a sponge? Super gross.

The only thing that will keep them dry from major rain is covering or storing them, but you can protect fabric from small spills by treating it with an outdoor fabric protectant spray.

Here’s how to treat outdoor cushions:

1. Clean your cushions thoroughly. Ideally, the covers will step off and can be spot treated and washed in the washing machine. If that’s not an option, you can spot clean them by hand, or with a handheld steam cleaner like for cleaning carpets.
2. Let the fabric dry completely.
3. Set the cushions out in a well ventilated preferably outdoor space.
4. Spray the outdoor fabric protectant spray onto the cushions just like you are spraying spray paint. It’s usually better to do a couple of light coats than one thick coat, but refer to the specific instructions on your can just in case.
5. Let dry completely, then flip over and seal the other side.
6. This should last for about one year. To test if your cushions need to be resealed, sprinkle a little water onto the fabric. It should bead off and wipe away easily. If it starts absorbing, it’s time to apply your sealant again.