indoor furniture to outdoor furniture

Hello, I am very interested in taking an old wooden dining table and chairs painting them and then doing some distressing as well. What steps and techniques would I do in order to also protect the wood from the outdoor elements? I have read that it is best to just stain and waterproof wood, but I have also heard that it can be done the way that I have in mind. Any suggestions would be helpful. Thank you!!

 

Welcome to the forums! Painting furniture can help maintain it for outdoor use. I would never paint anything that was made for interior use and put it outside. One reason is the glue used to put it together with is probably interior glue and will give way if it should become wet. Paint, in some instances will not prevent penetration of water. If the furniture is OAK, then it will turn black if you put it outside. What type wood is it? Distressing it and applying a good stain may help keep it at bay from the weather, but you still have the glue thingy. Marksr, our paint guy will be here in a minute. He is chasing me around the forums. He will have much better information on the paint versus stain.

 

If you want to keep the stain, coat it with a spar urethane like Minwax's Helmsman. Paint would require a solvent primer followed by 1-2 coats of most any quality exterior paint [latex or oil] It's also important to prime/paint or poly the undersides of the furniture. It's very important that you seal all points so no moisture can be absorbed. Sand lightly and recoat as needed.