Weather and the elements can damage your fine, handmade wooden crafts. Here are a few tips and suggestions on how to maintain and protect your furniture.
For all the hardware on your wooden ornaments, rub them with a good coat of vegetable oil. This helps them to resist moisture damage. It can be applied to hinges, wire hangers or metal stakes using an old rag. And don't forget to apply it to all visible screws, nuts and bolts. Even if the wooden craft piece remains on a porch with a roof over it, the moisture can still damage the hardware, so oil the hardware on these pieces as well. In nice weather, hose off the craft item every so often, especially after heavy rains or winds. Keeping dirt and mud off of the piece will improve its chances of making it through yet another season. Often after dirt has been left on a painted wooden object for a period of time, the paint will come off with the dirt upon washing it.
If you have a large wooden piece, like a bench, it might be a wise idea to cover it, or even store it, in the winter. Large amounts of snow or ice directly on the bench can do irreversible damage to it. Also, keep the piece away from trees in icy weather. Many trees lose their branches due to ice accumulation, and one falling branch could destroy the entire bench. Other delicate items which could easily be damaged in heavy winds, such as wind chimes, should also be stored during certain seasons.
For gigantic pieces, like a handmade wooden swing set, treat the lumber every couple of years, in the spring. Wood preserving treatments are sold by the gallon at most home improvement stores and you can take an afternoon to paint it on to the swing set. Prevention is the largest part of keeping your wooden creations looking good.
For painted wooden crafts, repaint every couple of years, then seal again with the wood sealant. Don't forget to re-apply the oil to any hardware. If you notice a crack in the wood, immediately apply wood putty to prevent the crack from turning in to a major break in the wood. Apply the putty, allow to dry, then repair and seal. If the piece has been left out in the weather for far too long, it may be necessary to give it a good sanding before applying putty, painting or sealing. You can use an electric sander on a large piece, or regular sandpaper on a small piece, but make sure you don't get carried away and damage the piece. Taking care of outdoor wooden crafts just takes a little time and a little maintenance, and for your own handmade crafts, it's well worth it.
