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Your Adirondack Chair was built to last a long time but without the proper protection it will fail long before it should, so you should protect it with a finish of your choice shortly after you receive it. Even after you've protected to your new chair, it will require occassional maintenance to make it last a lifetime. You can see those maintenance tips here.

Don't worry...there's not much to do.

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*You should know that the ideas presented below are my opinion only and that there are other methods used to beatify and protect outdoor furniture. In this section I willl cover the 2 options I use when protecting my chairs with paints or stains.

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The first step is to decide on the look of your new chair.
You basically have 2 choices :
(1) a solid color stain or paint or
(2) a semi transparent stain.

 

Either finish will add color and provide adequate protection for a number of years.

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Solid Color Paints and Stains

With today's improving technology, paints and stains are applied much the same way, so I will treat them as one in these finishing tips.

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1/ Wipe off your new chair of any remaining sawdust, dirt, etc.
 

2/ Apply a "stain blocker" primer to any knots and sap streaks. This will prevent the knots from showing through the paint or stain. Use a disposable brush or spray can.

       

 

         *I use a shellac based Zinsser B-I-N primer.
                              (dries in 20 minutes!)

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3/ Apply 2 thin coats of your favourite color paint or stain. It is important to apply 2 coats no matter what finish is used to ensure even coverage.
Use a brush or any spray method available to you. When using a brush, ensure you go lengthwise with each piece to avoid developing any streaks.

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* So what's the difference between stains and paints?

Here is a good article that might help explain. 

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Semi Transparent Stains

Note that the purpose of using a semi transparent stain is to allow the knots and variations of the wood colors to show through, so you will not be using a primer prior to staining.

 

1/ Wipe off your new chair of any remaining sawdust, dirt, etc.
 

2/ Apply 2 thin coats of your favourite color stain. It is important to apply 2 coats no matter what finish is used to ensure even coverage. Use a brush or any spray method available to you. When using a brush, ensure you go lengthwise with each piece to avoid developing any streaks.

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* Click here to see Sico's Semi-Transparent Exterior Wood Protector Colours.