Some people just toss out old patio furniture, but not you. You’re the kind of handyman (or woman) who knows how to get the most mileage out of a piece of furniture. An outdoor rocking chair can be a cherished piece passed down through the generations. Keep yours looking like the day you bought it with some repair tips.
Problem #1: Uneven or discolored finish
To repair the aesthetic portion of your outdoor rocking chair, you will first need to strip away any visible traces of an existing finish. You can use a finish stripper or just sandpaper. You can also use a putty knife to get off any especially thick spots, but be careful not to nick the wood. Once the surface is smooth and free of varnish, clean off all surfaces to ensure that the finish sticks better. Then, you can apply one to two coats of a finish of your choice, an oil-based varnish or paint, for example.
Problem #2: Damaged spindles
One feature found on many a wooden outdoor rocking chair is spindles. These are the rod-shaped pieces of wood that make up the backrest and sometimes hold up the armrests as well. The problem is that these can often be quite thin and delicate and prone to breaking.