Care & Maintenance

Every Auscraft table is built from quality Australian timbers, including Spotted Gum, Merbau, Ironbark and Treated or Natural(Untreated) Pine, selected for their strength and outdoor performance.
Each piece is made to last, but like all natural wood, outdoor timber needs care to stay at its best.

Wood reacts to weather. Heat, rain, and sunlight can cause changes in colour, grain, and texture, that’s part of what makes timber real and beautiful. With basic maintenance, your furniture will stay strong and age gracefully for many years.

Do’s
1. Clean Regularly: Wipe down with a soft cloth and mild soapy water to remove dirt, dust, and spills.
2. Apply Protective Coatings: Use suitable finishes such as paint, stain, or varnish to shield the timber from sun and moisture.
3. Inspect Frequently: Look for early signs of wear like small cracks or splits and address them promptly.
4. Use Covers: When not in use, protect your furniture with a breathable cover, especially in strong sunlight or harsh weather.
5. Recoat When Needed: Reapply protective finishes every 6–12 months to maintain both the appearance and weather resistance of your table. The exact timing depends on sun exposure and local climate.
Don’ts
1. Don’t Leave Timber Raw: Exposed wood outdoors deteriorates quickly without protection.
2. Don’t Use Harsh Chemicals: Avoid abrasive cleaners or strong solutions that can strip finishes or damage the wood.
3. Don’t Block Drainage: Do not place furniture on wet or uneven ground, as pooling water can cause warping.
4. Don’t Skip Maintenance: Neglecting upkeep can result in severe damage such as deep cracks or rot.
5. Don’t Overlook the Climate: Extreme dryness or high humidity can cause expansion or shrinkage, monitor your environment.

General Care Tips for All Tables

Wipe your table regularly with a damp cloth, avoid abrasive sponges or chemical cleaners.
Always use placemats and coasters to prevent scratches, stains, and water marks.
Place your furniture on a flat, level surface to prevent uneven wear and stress.

Varnished Picnic Table

Varnished picnic table have a smooth, sealed finish, either glossy or semi-gloss, that highlights the natural timber grain and makes cleaning easy. The varnish creates a strong surface barrier against moisture and stains, making it ideal for undercover or semi-protected outdoor areas.

Please note:
Varnish is not recommended for fully exposed outdoor settings.
Being a clear coating, it provides little UV resistance and may crack or peel over time under direct sunlight and harsh weather. In undercover spaces, however, varnished finishes perform extremely well and require the least maintenance of all options.

Maintenance Tips:

Regular Cleaning: Wipe spills promptly with mild soapy water and a soft cloth. Avoid abrasive cleaners or scrubbing pads.
Avoid Direct Sun & Moisture: Place varnished picnic table in shaded or covered areas to prevent cracking, peeling, or lifting of the finish.
Surface Preparation: Before re-varnishing, ensure the surface is evenly sanded and completely clean. Uneven sanding or residual dust can affect the smoothness and appearance of the final coat.
Application: Apply varnish evenly across all surfaces, including edges and undersides, using a quality brush or applicator. Work in a dust-free environment for a clean, smooth finish. Apply in thin, even layers and allow proper drying between coats.
Re-varnishing: Reapply every 1–2 years, or when the surface begins to dull. Light sanding between coats ensures better adhesion and a more durable result.

Stained Picnic Table

Stained Picnic Tables

Stained picnic table enhance the natural beauty of the timber by adding depth and colour while allowing the wood grain to remain visible. When maintained correctly, stained finishes provide excellent protection and a classic look suited for most outdoor settings.

Maintenance & Application Tips:

Cleaning: Wipe surfaces with a damp cloth, avoid excessive water.
Re-coating: Apply a matching outdoor stain or clear topcoat every 9-12 months, or when the colour begins to fade.
Surface Preparation: Always sand lightly before re-staining to remove dirt and help the new coat bond evenly.
Application Method: Apply stain along the grain of the timber in smooth, straight strokes, not circular motions. Avoid direct sunlight during application, as heat can cause uneven drying or blotching.
Tools: Use a lint-free cloth, sheepskin applicator, or high-quality brush for best results.
Drips & Runs: Wipe off any drips immediately before they dry.
Protect Surroundings: Place a drop sheet or cardboard underneath while staining to prevent floor or ground marks.
Colour Matching: Always use the same tone or product used originally to maintain colour consistency.

Important: Stain coatings protect timber by absorbing into the surface, not by forming a thick film. Regular reapplication is necessary to maintain both colour and protection.

Painted Picnic Table

Painted picnic table provide a strong, colourful barrier that seals the timber completely, making them the easiest to maintain and most weather-resistant of all finish options.
While painting is more forgiving to apply, it also requires more frequent upkeep to keep colours fresh, especially with light tones that show dirt more easily than darker shades.

Maintenance & Application Tips:

Cleaning: Wash gently with mild soapy water and a soft sponge. Avoid abrasive scrubbing that can dull or chip the surface.
Repainting: Repaint every 1-3 years, or sooner if you notice fading, cracking, or peeling. Always sand the surface lightly before applying a new full coat to help adhesion.
Touch-ups: For small scratches or chips, light touch-ups can be done without sanding, using a small brush and the same paint colour.
Application: Paint can be applied with a brush or roller. Always apply in thin, even layers, following the grain direction.
Coats Required: On raw timber, apply at least two to three coats to fully seal the surface. Unpainted or missed areas may allow moisture in and lead to timber rot.
Colour Care: Light-coloured paints may need more frequent cleaning and re-coating, while darker tones generally last longer before showing wear.
Extra Protection: For picnic table in fully exposed outdoor settings, a clear, UV- and weather-resistant topcoat is recommended for longer durability.

Oiled Picnic Table

Oil finishes are one of the most natural and effective ways to protect outdoor timber. Unlike surface coatings, oil penetrates deep into the wood fibres, nourishing the timber from within and providing long-term moisture resistance. It’s simple to apply and easy to maintain, though it does require more frequent upkeep than other finishes.

Why We Recommend Oil:
Oiled finishes are ideal for hardwood picnic table. They preserve the natural look and feel of the wood while offering continuous protection against moisture and UV exposure. With tinted oils, you can also achieve a range of subtle natural tones without hiding the grain.

Maintenance & Application Tips:

Frequency: Re-oil every 6 months, or more often for fully exposed picnic table.
Preparation: Light sanding is optional but recommended, it helps remove surface dirt and allows better oil absorption.
Cleaning: Ensure the surface is clean and dry before applying.
Application: Use a clean brush or lint-free cloth, applying along the grain of the timber.
Coats: One or two coats may be used depending on the timber’s dryness and exposure level. If applying a second coat, wait 24–48 hours for full absorption before reapplying.
Penetration: The oil should soak into the timber, avoid leaving excess oil sitting on the surface. Wipe off any residue after 20–30 minutes to prevent stickiness.
Colour Options: Oils can be clear or tinted, giving your picnic table a custom natural tone while maintaining the raw wood texture.

Note: Regular oiling not only protects but also revives the colour and grain of the timber, helping your picnic table age gracefully and maintain its natural character for years.

Seasonal Care for Outdoor Picnic Table

Winter: Store indoors or cover securely to protect against rain and cold.

Summer: Use shading such as umbrellas to minimize UV damage, especially for varnished, oiled and stained surfaces.

Our Warranty

All Auscraft picnic table include a 12-month structural warranty, covering any defect in workmanship or joinery that affects the stability or strength of the product.

This warranty does not cover:

Natural timber behaviour such as movement, cracks, bowing, or colour variation
Damage resulting from neglect, lack of maintenance, or incorrect installation
Surface wear, peeling, or fading of coatings due to weather exposure
Water or moisture damage caused by unsealed or improperly finished timber

Outdoor timber furniture must be maintained regularly and in accordance with our care recommendations.
Failure to maintain the product may void the warranty.

Before carrying out any maintenance or refinishing, please ensure that the products and finishes used are suitable for outdoor timber and compatible with the materials used by Auscraft.
Incorrect application or use of unsuitable products can cause surface damage or premature failure of the finish.

If you are unsure which product to use, we strongly recommend consulting an expert or contacting our support team.
You can reach us at info@auscraftfurniture.com.au for detailed guidance on suitable maintenance products and methods.

Auscraft also offers a professional maintenance kit specifically designed for our picnic tables, as well as on-site servicing by our expert team.
To request a quote for professional maintenance, please contact us directly. https://auscraftfurniture.com.au/pages/contact

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Care & Maintenance