Revitalize Your Outdoor Wood Furniture with AURA® Exterior Paint

AURA® Exterior by Benjamin Moore, equipped with its exclusive Color Lock® technology, offers unmatched performance in rich, vibrant colors and unparalleled durability for outdoor painting projects. And with the Benjamin Moore color matching technology, match a fabric or unique item to your color selection and let your creativity shine! Pick a bold floral fabric for a bench cover, or maybe a bold geometric fabric for outdoor curtains, and our paint experts at Cardinal Home Center can match colors in the fabric to create a custom and upscale appearance. The durability of AURA® Exterior is unsurpassed.

Have an outdoor piece that is ready for your personal touch? Follow these steps to transform and rejuvenate your outdoor furniture:

Step 1: Surface Preparation

Ensure the wood surface is completely dry and free from mold and mildew, including the undersides. If there are stains caused by mold or mildew, use a premium cleaner like Benjamin Moore® Clean (318) to prepare the surface properly. Benjamin Moore’s Restore can remove dead wood fibers if the furniture has been exposed to the sun without any coating, providing a fresh starting point. In colder weather, move the furniture indoors to dry, while in milder conditions, a garage, carport, or other covered area will suffice. Avoid covering the furniture with plastic or a tarp, as it hinders adequate air circulation for thorough drying.

Step 2: Sanding

Proceed to sand the surfaces to be stained. If the old finish is in good condition, roughening the surface will suffice. Start with coarse-grade sandpaper, working along the wood grain, and gradually progress to finer-grade sandpaper until achieving a smooth finish. An orbital hand sander is ideal for this task, if available. However, if the old finish is in poor condition, it may be necessary to remove it entirely down to the bare wood. Benjamin Moore® REMOVE (315) is a reliable wood stain remover for this purpose.

Step 3: Primer Considerations

If you intend to apply a lighter color over a dark one, if there are knotty sections, or if any stains remain after sanding, using a high-quality primer designed for outdoor use is recommended. Benjamin Moore’s Fresh Start All-Purpose Acrylic Primer is a suitable choice. Apply the primer with a premium poly/nylon brush, following the wood grain. However, if the old painted or stained surface remains intact after sanding, you can skip the priming step, as your first coat of paint will serve as the primer.

Step 4: Painting

For a solid, painted finish, we recommend using Aura paint. Its proprietary ColorLock™ technology guarantees a long-lasting, vibrant finish, and it can be tinted to any Benjamin Moore color of your choice. Apply two coats of Aura paint, ensuring each coat is dry before applying the next. No additional sealing is necessary.

Step 5: Drying and Maintenance

Allow the furniture to dry in a clean, dust-free, and well-ventilated area. Avoid leaving it outside to dry, as wind and air may deposit dust and particles onto the wet surface. Once the furniture is dry, you can place it in an area where it won’t be directly exposed to dripping water from roofs or tree limbs. To maintain the newly stained or painted outdoor wood furniture, occasionally wash it with warm water and dish detergent. This simple cleaning routine will help preserve its beauty for years to come.

If you have any questions regarding the painting process for outdoor furniture, we encourage you to visit your local Cardinal Home Center. Their experts can provide precise preparation instructions and recommend the appropriate products for your specific needs.