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For the best results:

• Sand down any varnishes or stains that were previously on the surface.
• Clean the surface you’re varnishing/staining.
• Thoroughly clean the space where you’re varnishing/staining so that no dust particles get into the finished piece.
• Stir your varnish. Don’t shake it. Shaking causes air bubbles in the varnish which can easily transfer onto your finished piece.

Want to learn more about varnishes and stains?

Check your state and local codes before starting any project. Follow all safety precautions. Every effort has been made to ensure the accuracy and safety of this information. Neither Westlake nor any contributor can be held responsible for damages or injuries resulting from the use of the information in this document.

Not necessarily. Some manufactures make products that can be applied immediately to a new pressure-treated deck to prevent sun and weather damage. In addition pressure-treated lumber is not waterproof so applying a good sealer will slow the rate of water absorption and protect the surface.  Talk to your local Westlake Hardware associate about the product best suited for your specific needs.

Check your state and local codes before starting any project. Follow all safety precautions. Every effort has been made to ensure the accuracy and safety of this information. Neither Westlake nor any contributor can be held responsible for damages or injuries resulting from the use of the information in this document.

No. Just remember that humid weather can make someone's hair turn frizzy. Water-based paints do the same thing to natural-bristle brushes, so you will want to use a synthetic brush with latex paint.

Make sure you are choosing the right brushes for your painting projects.

Check your state and local codes before starting any project. Follow all safety precautions. Information in this document has been furnished by the North American Retail Hardware Association (NRHA) and associated contributors. Every effort has been made to ensure accuracy and safety. Neither NRHA, any contributor nor the retailer can be held responsible for damages or injuries resulting from the use of the information in this document.

If you're hosting upcoming holiday parties, you want your home to look its best. If the wood table has watermarks, the dining room chairs are wobbly, or the couch's upholstery is unsightly, consider doing some furniture "TLC."

Easy, minor touch-ups can make your furniture look like new, and your local Westlake Hardware store has the products you need to give your furniture a fresh look.

Here are several furniture fix-up suggestions to get your home ready for holiday entertaining:

Repair a Wobbly Chair

If a chair is so wobbly that there's an old paperback jammed under the leg for balance, it's time for a repair. Knock the loose joint apart with a hammer. Then, with sandpaper or steel wool, remove any old glue from both parts that need to be reattached. If the glue is difficult to take off, try adding vinegar to it. Spread wood glue on both surfaces and then, using a wood clamp or tourniquet, apply pressure on the chair joint for 24 hours allowing the glue ample time to dry. Adding a small screw to the joint will assure a tight hold.

Fix a Furniture Spindle

If your chair's spindle is separated from its socket because of playful pets or years of use, you can re-secure it with a little elbow grease. Use a high-speed cutter to thoroughly remove old glue from the rung and inside of the socket. Then coat the end of the spindle and the inside of the socket with carpenter's glue, and wrap silk thread around the end of the spindle. Clamp and let settle overnight.

Remove Residue from Wood

Some common residue can be removed without the help of a professional furniture refinisher. Bear in mind, though, that you should always test your remedy in a small, inconspicuous area first just to be sure it doesn't damage the finish. For watermarks and rings caused by cups without coasters, use a wood amalgamator like Howard's Restore-A-Finish or Formby's Conditioning Furniture Refinisher. Use with #0000 steel wool. The more zeros in the code, the finer the weave is. Drench the wool and squeeze out lightly. Apply pressure with the grain, and your woodwork will look like new again. Finish by wiping clean with a tack cloth.

Cloths referred to as white ring removers also work to remove marks caused by heat and water and even minor scratches and will not remove finish from the wood surface.

If candle wax is the culprit, harden the substance by holding an ice cube wrapped in cloth against it. Then, use a plastic credit card or a dull knife to scrape it off. Rub the wax with an extra-fine steel wool dipped in mineral spirits, wipe dry and set with wax or polish.

Upholding Your Upholstery

Many furniture fabrics carry an upholstery code, usually found on a label under the cushions, which gives specific instructions on the proper methods for cleaning that fabric type. Typically, vacuuming and light brushing to remove dirt and grime is recommended as well as spot cleaning with an upholstery shampoo or mild solvent.

Always patch testing the cleaner on the fabric first to ensure it doesn't shrink or discolor. It's a good idea to treat leather every year or so with a leather oil or conditioner. These products will keep the leather from cracking and remain more pliable to avoid rips and tears.

Credit: Lou Manfredini's Tips From the Tool Box, Ace Hardware

• Follow the disposal instructions on the original container.
• For latex paint, expose the paint to air in a place that is out of reach of children. If it doesn’t dry completely, use kitty litter to absorb the rest of the paint. Then dispose of it in the garbage. DO NOT THROW OIL-/ALKAYD-BASED PAINTS IN THE GARBAGE.
• Do not burn paint or chemicals.
• Do not pour paint or chemicals down your sink.
• Do not pour paint or chemicals down sewer or runoff grates along the street.
• Do not bury paint or chemicals in any container.

Check your state and local codes before starting any project. Follow all safety precautions. Every effort has been made to ensure the accuracy and safety of this information. Neither Westlake nor any contributor can be held responsible for damages or injuries resulting from the use of the information in this document.

If your deck was previously coated with a solid stain, use a putty knife or sharp blade to lightly cut a small "X" in several spots on your deck (in high and low-traffic areas), but be careful to not cut into the wood. Then cover those "X" marks with duct tape and rub down firmly. Quickly peel up the tape. If there are flakes of your stain on the tape, then you will need to strip your deck before restraining.

If your deck was previously coated with a semi-transparent stain or sealer, clean it well and let it air dry for at least four hours. Then from a standing position pour a small amount of water on the decking in high traffic areas as well as lesser-used areas. If the water beads up (breaks up into tiny drops) and just sits there, then too much sealer is present and you will need to strip it.  If the water remains in a puddle and begins to absorb into the wood within 10 minutes then the coating has worn off enough that youcan re-stain or re-seal.

Check your railings as well since coatings on vertical surfaces last much longer than those on your horizontal deck boards.

Check your state and local codes before starting any project. Follow all safety precautions. Every effort has been made to ensure the accuracy and safety of this information. Neither Westlake nor any contributor can be held responsible for damages or injuries resulting from the use of the information in this document.

Remove everything from your deck and sweep off all dirt and debris. Check all structural elements for damage. Replace any damaged boards, tighten any lose boards or screws and fix any nail pops.

There are the variety of deck cleaning products available. Some are detergents, others are bleaches, and still others are chemical solutions designed to react with certain woods. Whatever cleaner you choose, read and follow the manufacturer’s directions.

Many cleaners can be easily applied with a pump-style garden sprayer following the manufacturer's instructions. It's advisable to test in a small, less visible spot first before cleaning the entire deck.

Sometimes lightly watering down the deck can assist you in applying and spreading the cleaning solution. Many solutions should not be allowed to dry on the wood so periodic spraying/misting may be required. Depending on how dirty your deck is you may see results immediately. But many cleaning compounds require a few minutes to work before you see results.

Depending on the cleaner you select and the amount of algae on your deck, you can use a stiff brush with a long handle (typically a synthetic bristle brush since many cleaning solutions will deteriorate a natural bristle brush) and a regular garden hose or you can use a pressure washer.

Once you've cleaned your deck well, let it dry for 12 to 24 hours and you're ready to sand. Using a pole sander makes this job much easier and saves your knees. Use 120 to 150 grit sandpaper and sand in the direction of the wood grain. Most likely you won't need to sand your spindles or railings because vertical surfaces don't wear as fast. When the sanding is finished, use a leaf blower, broom or wet/dry vac to thoroughly remove the dust, and your deck is ready for staining. You should stain or seal it as quickly as possible after you have sanded to protect it from the elements.

Check your state and local codes before starting any project. Follow all safety precautions. Every effort has been made to ensure the accuracy and safety of this information. Neither Westlake nor any contributor can be held responsible for damages or injuries resulting from the use of the information in this document.

Oil-based – or alkyd-based paints – have chemicals or resins in them that evaporate once the paint dries. This allows them to go on a little thicker and provide a better coverage on the first coat.

Tips for oil-based paint application.

Check your state and local codes before starting any project. Follow all safety precautions. Every effort has been made to ensure the accuracy and safety of this information. Neither Westlake nor any contributor can be held responsible for damages or injuries resulting from the use of the information in this document.

Good roller frames have a compression-type cage, which is also convenient, because their covers can be removed quickly and easily. Also, look for a handle that has a threaded end so you can use an extension pole for painting floors and ceilings.

Check your state and local codes before starting any project. Follow all safety precautions. Information in this document has been furnished by the North American Retail Hardware Association (NRHA) and associated contributors. Every effort has been made to ensure accuracy and safety. Neither NRHA, any contributor nor the retailer can be held responsible for damages or injuries resulting from the use of the information in this document.

A sanding block helps speed up sanding jobs, relieves strain on your hands and makes your sandpaper last longer.

Check your state and local codes before starting any project. Follow all safety precautions. Information in this document has been furnished by the North American Retail Hardware Association (NRHA) and associated contributors. Every effort has been made to ensure accuracy and safety. Neither NRHA, any contributor nor the retailer can be held responsible for damages or injuries resulting from the use of the information in this document.

Natural bristles are best for most oil-based finishes including varnishes and stains. Their soft tips leave fewer brush marks.

Check your state and local codes before starting any project. Follow all safety precautions. Information in this document has been furnished by the North American Retail Hardware Association (NRHA) and associated contributors. Every effort has been made to ensure accuracy and safety. Neither NRHA, any contributor nor the retailer can be held responsible for damages or injuries resulting from the use of the information in this document.

A synthetic brush is your best choice, because the rough surface can quickly damage the flags on a natural-bristle brush.

Check your state and local codes before starting any project. Follow all safety precautions. Information in this document has been furnished by the North American Retail Hardware Association (NRHA) and associated contributors. Every effort has been made to ensure accuracy and safety. Neither NRHA, any contributor nor the retailer can be held responsible for damages or injuries resulting from the use of the information in this document.