How To Waterproof And Seal An Outdoor Table With MilkOil™-Outdoor
Spring is on the horizon, and I have all things garden on my mind! Anybody else? My first Spring project is all about how to waterproof and seal an outdoor table. Did you know that MMS MilkPaint™ has an incredible outdoor furniture sealing option? They do, and today I will be sharing all about the MilkOil™-Outdoor /Tung Oil Blend.
Kitchen Table To Potting Table
My dream has always been to have a potting table that was pretty, unique, and big enough to work on out in my garden. In our previous yard, I painted a potting bench in my favorite Boxwood green color. It was pretty but not large enough for my gardening needs, and at the time, I made the mistake of not properly sealing it. I plan to not repeat that mistake now that I know better and have options!
Well, we recently moved to a new house, and our previous wood kitchen table no longer has a spot inside. Since I am in love with it, I have decided to move it outside and into our backyard to use as a potting table. It is the perfect size and shape!
But with our crazy Colorado weather, I was worried about it getting ruined. (As you can see in the picture below, I have already left it outside, and some snow has gotten on it!)
Just like any other wood furniture, I knew it would need to be sealed if I wanted to leave it outdoors long term so it would not be ruined. But we all know that beauty can only last so long without proper function, and I want to preserve this beautiful wood for as long as possible. Luckily, I have found the perfect solution, and I am SO EXCITED to share it with you today!
How To Waterproof And Seal An Outdoor Table
I began to do some research on how to waterproof and seal an outdoor wood table or outdoor wooden furniture in general. Through this research and word of mouth, I landed on a new and upcoming product from Miss Mustard Seed's® MilkPaint™ called MilkOil™ - Outdoor/Tung Oil. I reached out to the owner and asked if I could give it a try, and she said yes!
It intrigued me and seemed to be just what I was looking for!
Disclaimer: This amazing product will not be released until this Spring, but I couldn't wait to get my hands on it so I could test it out and share the results with you all.
What Is MilkOil™ Outdoor/ Tung Oil Blend
MilkOil™-Outdoor/ Tung Oil Blend is a naturally blended drying oil that creates a protective and water-resistant surface. It is recommended for use on unfinished wood or your milk-painted surfaces that you would like to have outdoors.
My wood kitchen table was the perfect candidate. This outdoor tung oil blend is perfect for unfinished wood and smells unbelievably good. If I had to describe it, I would say it has a fresh lemon scent.
Easy To Follow Steps Tor Applying MilkOil Outdoor To Waterproof A Wood Table
Here is the easy and simple process you can use to waterproof a wooden piece of outdoor furniture.
Your first step is to make sure your surface is clean and ready.
Next, apply the MilkOil™-Outdoor with a lint-free cloth or brush to your piece of wood furniture. I used a microfiber cloth, and it worked perfectly. I applied the MilkOil™ in the direction of the wood grain. When finished, make sure to let your rags hang to dry and do not pile them up once you have finished. If you use a brush, you can clean it with natural solvent. TIP: It is suggested to apply MilkOil™-Outdoor very generously in order to make sure you have completely sealed your piece of furniture.
You can choose to do this in your garage or outdoors, depending on your weather. I lucked out and was able to seal my table outdoors. Just make sure you are in a well-ventilated area.
Once you have applied the outdoor MilkOil™, make sure to let your piece of furniture stand for 24 hours.
Finally, buff off any excess you may notice the next day. To increase the durability of your wooden furniture, you can repeat the process above and apply 2-6 more coats of MilkOil™. No sanding is necessary. TIP: Decorative pieces will need fewer coats than functional outdoor pieces, which will see more wear and use.
Luckily MilkOil™ dries very fast! It can be dry in 24-48 hours. However, be aware that it does take 30 days for it to completely cure.
And that's it. A very simple process and treatment that will help alleviate any worry you may have about leaving wood furniture outdoors and in the elements.
Will This Work On Painted Pieces Outdoors?
The answer is yes, but you may want to add something to it for even more protection! For outdoor wood pieces that you plan to paint, it is suggested that you mix MilkOil™-Outdoor with MilkGrip™ Outdoor/ Preservation Additive. This is another Miss Mustard Seed's® MilkPaint™ product that is new to the family and will help prevent tannin bleed through and adds UV protection to painted pieces. This is coming in the Spring of 2022 as well.
Will MilkOil™-Outdoor Change The Color of My Wood Like Regular Tung Oil?
Yes, the color will darken slightly once the oil is absorbed into the grain of your wood. But the benefits of having the MilkOil™ blended with tung oil is that this product will not yellow, and your piece will become water-resistant, enabling it to be outdoors!
This is huge since I love the natural look of my wood table and want it to be functional outdoors and in my garden.
Finding An Outdoor Project
I am in love with the beauty and functionality of my former wood kitchen table turned outdoor potting table. Knowing that it is properly sealed with MilkOil™ - Outdoor helps me rest easy and gives me the confidence that it will now survive these crazy Colorado winters and spring storms.
What outdoor project do you have in mind? Make sure to subscribe to the MMS MilkPaint™ newsletter to be one of the first to know when MilkOil™-Outdoor is available for purchase!
Then, stop over and check out my blog, thetatteredpew.com, for more inspiration as well.