About this restoration

This Jensen outdoor furniture set came through our Fort Collins shop for a complete ipe restoration. The full set included two lounge chairs, a three-seat bench, and a coffee table, all built from dense tropical hardwood designed for long outdoor service. The project required structural repair, deep stain removal, full surface preparation, and a complete refinish across all four pieces.

What was wrong

Years of outdoor exposure had left the set deeply stained, worn, and structurally compromised in places. The finish and surface contamination had to be removed completely, and the damaged frame areas needed repair before any refinishing work could be trusted to hold up outdoors. On dense ipe furniture, surface work only works when the structure and preparation are correct first.

What we did

• Completed a full strip of the existing finish and surface contamination across both lounge chairs, the three-seat bench, and the coffee table.
• Applied a hot oxalic acid wash at approximately 90°C / 190°F to address deep embedded staining in the ipe surfaces.
• Performed structural frame repairs on damaged components before surface preparation and finish work began.
• Prepared all ipe surfaces carefully across slats, armrests, frame rails, legs, and coffee table components.
• Developed a warm reddish-brown finish that brings the natural ipe grain forward without hiding the wood under artificial color.
• Finished and inspected the complete set for consistent color, sheen, adhesion, and quality across all four pieces.

Care tips

• Clean outdoor surfaces with a soft cloth and mild, non-abrasive cleaner when needed.
• Wipe standing water, pollen, and debris from the wood rather than letting buildup sit on the finish.
• Avoid harsh pressure washing, abrasive pads, and strong chemical cleaners on the restored ipe finish.
• Lift rather than drag chairs, bench, or table pieces to protect joints, feet, and frame repairs.
• Use covers or protected storage during severe weather or long periods of non-use.
• If the finish begins to dull, stain, or dry out again, book maintenance early before the surface fails deeply.