Clean the chairs. I used a leaf blower and broom to clear off any debris. This is an important step so that you aren’t sanding over dirt and debris.

Sand the chairs. Using an orbital sander rather than sanding by hand makes this process much easier & faster. I started with 60 grit sandpaper since the wood was in rough condition. The grit you use will be determined by how bad of shape the wood is in. After I smoothed down the rough wood, I then used 220 grit sandpaper to create a smooth finish.

Wash the chairs. Don’t worry- if you don’t own a power washer like me, you can use a car wash! I took my curbside chairs to the carwash to get the scum and mold off the wood. This is one of the most important steps so that the stain will adhere to the wood. Let wood fully dry (at least 24 hours) before proceeding to the next step.

Pick the right stain. This is the fun part because you can pick your own preference. I couldn’t find a stain I loved, so I experimented by mixing stains which turned out great.

Important tip: test the stain in a small, inconspicuous spot first to see if you like how it looks.

Use the Flexio 3000 to spray the entire chairs. This is a huge time-saving step rather than staining by hand. It will most likely take more than coat; however, use your discretion to pick a finish you like!

To read more about this project, including tips for mixing stains, visit Jenn’s blog, Bachelorette Pad Flip.