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Decoupage An Outdoor Pinic Table

Decoupage Finishes for Outdoor Use

How to Finish a Decoupaged Picnic Table for Heavy Outdoor Use

Hello, I have a big outdoor picnic table that will be decoupaged and finished. It is for a school project.

Since it is an outdoor table, I am thinking the finish should be something like polyurethane...

My question is, "What glue do I use to paste the photos down, Mod Podge? Wouldn't that be water soluble and not work with a polyurethane finish?

Thank you for your help.

Trudy

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The key to using sealers with different bases on a single project is allowing sufficient time for curing,

Curing Mod Podge

Mod Podge is water-based, which means it dries and cures by evaporation.

In a room of 100% humidity, it would never cure because no evaporation could occur. There need to be dry spaces in the air for the moisture to leave the Mod Podge and enter the atmosphere. The drier the air, the more quickly evaporation can occur.

As well, the Mod Podge needs to be exposed to the air so that it can cure. If you put on the finish coat before the Mod Podge is completely cured, it won’t be able to adhere and the Mod Podge will take much longer to cure because the moisture trapped between the layers will have to evaporate through the wood rather than directly into the air.

Allow a week for the Mod Podge to cure; more if the weather is very humid.

I think you’ll find some helpful product suggestions in this article on How to Decoupage Clay Pots for Outdoor Use.

Now I have a question for you. Won’t all the kids fight over who gets to sit at this very special picnic table? ;-)

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Dear Eileen,

Thank you so much for your prompt response.

After I sent you the email, I continued reading the articles on your website, and found a lot of important information. I also ordered the book you recommend.

To hasten curing/drying, I often use a fan or blow dryer ... would you recommend this?

I think that I will be emailing you more questions about this as we go forward.

You mention "HUMIDITY"!! I live in Mobile, AL and it is very humid here.

Another of my hobbies is flower preservation and arranging in shadow box frames. I do this only as presents for friends.

I thought of using it as a business venture, but the high humidity here made me decide against that. I only spray the dried flowers outside on low humidity days ... not many of them in Mobile, and none in the warmer weather (most of the year).

This picnic table is going to be the 8th grade's donation to our annual school fundraiser's silent auction.

The 8th graders made the table along with about 100 others during a week-long class trip last October. The tables were donated to schools and parks throughout Mobile, saving this one for the auction project.

It will be interesting to see how high the bidding goes!

Sincerely,

Trudy

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Yes, using a blow dryer or fan are good ways to speed drying and battle high humidity. Just be careful not to concentrate the blow dryer too long in any one spot. Keep moving it back and forth.

Flower Preservation

I have a couple of reactions to your idea of starting a business using dried flowers artfully arranged or placed in shadowboxes.

First, it’s a great idea! Second, there may not be much competition in your area because of the humidity.

Most importantly, do you know that you can dry flowers in high-humidity climates by using your oven, microwave or a food dehydrator? Food dehydrators are surprisingly affordable and even come with directions for drying flowers. If purchased as a business expense, it would even be tax deductible.

Please write back and let me know how the bidding goes for your one-of-a-kind picnic table. Best of luck!

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