Every time you go outside to mow the lawn or play with the dog your tired looking outdoor table and chairs catch your eye and are screaming out for some TLC.
They're grey and weathered and your to scared to sit on them for fear of getting splinters (ouch).
By the time they get to this stage you've probably told yourself a hundred times to get out there and re-finish them.
Stuff You Need To Bring Your Furniture Back From the Brink

• Sand paper of various grades (100 grit - 240 grit)
• Paint scraper
• Paint brush
• Clean rags
• Decking oil, stain or exterior varnish of your choice
• Disposable dust mask

Pull your furniture apart so you can get into all the nooks and cranny's (making sure you know how to put it all back together).
You may need some screw drivers and/or sockets wrench's depending on the type of fixings the manufacturer used.
It is not crucial that the furniture gets dis-assembled but you will get the best finish if you do so.
Wipe over your piece with mineral turpentine to remove the grease and dirt accumulated over the years.
Scrape off any flaky varnish or whatever it was previously finished with.
Glue and clamp any severe splits and allow to dry.
If you have an electric sander, load it up with the 100 grit sand paper and get to work (yeah that's right, I said "work").
If you don't have an electric sander you can just use your sandpaper wrapped around a block and some good old-fashioned elbow grease (harder work).
Sanding your way through the different sand paper grades to the 240 grit.
After a good sand, you will start to see a glimmer of the very piece of furniture you once loved and cherished.
Take a clean rag and wipe all the dust off you can.
There are many different products on the market to choose from which can be a little over whelming if you haven't done much "Furniture Revival" before.
It's up you as an individual to decide what you would like the furniture to look like once your done.
Cost can be quite a contributing factor when choosing a finish also:

• If you want it to have a shiny protective coating, you will want an exterior grade full gloss varnish.
  
• If you like the more natural appearance, maybe an Oil would be more suited to you.
  

Any outdoor furniture is going to need periodic maintenance, whether its 6 months or 12 months really depends on things like the weather, climate you live in, the use it gets whether it's under cover or not, the species of timber used for construction and many other factors.
Once you have chosen an oil or varnish for your finish, it's time to get sticky and test.
It's important to test when you're finishing a previously varnished/oiled piece of furniture to make sure that the new finish is going to apply evenly and look natural.
A table or chair can be easily tested on the underside where no-one will be none the wiser.
Now that you've tested and re-iterated the fact that it's going to look great when it finished, well it's time to FINISH IT.
Grab your paint brush and get to work (oh yes, that word again), applying the product with the grain to the manufacturers instructions (generally 2-3 coats).
Allow to dry, return to the kitchen to fetch some refreshments and the wife.
Sit and Enjoy!