A mission glider is like any other piece of patio furniture in that it requires the same amount of yearly upkeep to keep it looking its finest. Different materials call for different procedures, and unlike most patio furniture, a glider has an action suspension track device which must also be cared for so that the glider will continue to function as such.
The metal hinges and hardware in the action part of the chair is sometimes hard to get to, buy they must regularly be oiled to avoid rusting of parts, squeaking and locking up. Something like WD40 will work as a lubricant, though it is lighter than other oils so must be applied more often. Usually the cans come with a thin red detachable tube for spraying in hard to reach spots and concentrating on small areas at a time.
For a stronger lubricant, try a silicone based kind. They do not need to be applied as often and come with the same applicator extension. For a home-based solution, use a spray cooking oil. It will not stain any surrounding materials as easily. It is also cheaper and devoid of noxious fumes. Plus, you can attach a simple straw to the spray nozzle with some tape.
For the rest of the mission glider, care for it as you would any other piece of outdoor furniture. Every material, including cushions, must be waterproof and durable. However, various materials, including wood, metal and resin, involve different cleaning and maintenance needs.
The care of most wood is the same, varying slightly by what type of tree and how exposed your mission glider is to the weather. The best thing to do when you are not using outdoor wood furniture is to cover it up with a waterproof tarp, or better yet, bring everything into storage if you can. During the rest of the time, clean wood furniture about two to three times annually as needed. Dirt and mold can cause wood the decay more quickly.
First, wash off any extra debris and cobwebs using a garden hose. Next, using either a homemade soap and water solution or a mild wood cleaner like Murphys, clean off your mission glider, working in small areas. The key here is to completely rinse off all traces of cleaner after scrubbing, as soapy build-up leaves an unattractive residue. After it is clean, feel free to stain or repaint the wood as you would like, making sure to first smooth the surface down with fine grain sandpaper.
Recoating furniture every so often will also protect the wood from rot, infestation and cracking. At the same time, excessive moisture is bad for wood, so use a dry cloth for starters and then allow the piece to air dry indoors in a sunny room. The last thing to do is to make a hardware check of all the metal pieces every few years. Look for signs of rust and breakage, along with broken slats and replace as needed.
A resin mission glider is inherently easier to care for than wood, but still needs some basic amount of attention to keep looking good. Most spills and stains can be taken care of using just soap and water. For tougher spots you can use automatic dish soap. Rub into the affected areas and allow to set for 15 minutes before rinsing off with a hose. If your furniture starts to look dull you can use car wax to restore its original sheen. Just be sure to thoroughly dry all furniture before using.
todd arend is a freelance writing professional whose expertise covers a variety of areas, including patio and backyard furniture, landscaping and design. he regularly writes about mission glider and mission glider chair.
