Painting White Outdoor Adirondack Projects

Additional Photos

Outdoor furniture must be protected from the elements, especially if you are using wood that is not suitable for outdoor use. And a painted finish - if kept up - can protect your outdoor Adirondack furniture and keep it looking fresh and new season after season.

But painting outdoor Adirondack furniture can be a challenge. How to do you completely seal all the boards? How do you hide screw holes? What is the right way to bond paint to wood for exterior use? What about the cracks and all those slats Adirondack furniture is known for?

My friend Brook over at Being Brook always paints her outdoor furniture with the most beautiful, professional looking finishes! Never any drips or missed spots between slats.

So I asked Brook if she would share her outdoor painting technique. Here's how Brook paints outdoor Adirondack furniture.

Shopping List

120 grit sandpaper
Foam Rollers
Paint Brush
Zinsser 123 Primer
Ace Hardware Royal Outdoor House and Trim Paint in Satin in Heavenly Sand

Step 1 Diagram

Step 1

You'll need primer, exterior paint, brushes, and rollers.

Step 2 Diagram

Step 2 Instructions

After I cut out all the pieces for the lounge chairs I sanded them all smooth with a belt sander.

Step 3 Diagram

Step 3 Instructions

Once all the woods pieces were sanded I laid them all flat in my garage with scrap wood raising them off the floor. Vacuum and wipe down all the wood pieces to remove any dust.

Step 4 Diagram

Step 4 Instructions

Prime your wood with the Zinsser 123 primer and a 4 inch foam roller. It is easy to paint the slats when they are flat since you don't have any crevices to work with. I allowed my wood to dry overnight and then turned all the pieces over and primed the opposite side. Apply 2 coats of Royal House and Trim paint the same way. Use a brush for the sides or to catch any paint drips. Be sure to allow the paint to dry completely between coats (at least overnight before turning)

Step 5 Diagram