Hardwood garden furniture - cleaning

[usenet]

... but bad 'preservative' is worse than none at all in my experience. E.g. wood that is simply painted doesn't last as long as bare wood.

[Christian McArdle]

A decent acrylic, microporous or solvent based gloss paint should last 5 years.

Christian.

[John Edgar]

All of my garden furniture is at least 60 years old - teak - and was covered with 60 years-worth of whatever gets onto teak garden furniture. My high-pressure blaster hose disposed of everything very quickly and efficiently. I suppose they must look almost new now, but not yet being 60, I will never know. John In limine sapientiae

[Simon Gardner]

Thanks. That sounds the just the ticket. I'll see if I can rent one since I don't want to own one.

[Christian McArdle]

They are definitely worth owning if you can spare the little shed space they take up. I got one for 30 quid from B&Q (probably as cheap as renting for a day). They are superb for cleaning up patios and concrete, too.

Christian.

[Elessar]

My Karcher 210 came with dire warnings about not letting it freeze, so unless your shed is frost-free it might be safer to bring it indoors over winter.. Maybe newer ones, or different designs, can be fully drained of water.

[Christian McArdle]

So did my B&Q. I left it outside (at times uncovered) all winter come rain, snow and ice. It still works perfectly. Buckets of water also left out there froze solid.

Christian.

[Simon Gardner]

Just a note of thanks for all the advice. I borrowed a pressure washer and then applied oodles of teak oil via a spray.

The transformation of our old garden furniture has been dramatic. Very pleased with the excellent help received here.