Soon it will be time to drag the outdoor furniture from hibernation or, if you live in sunnier climes, add it to your spring cleaning list to get ready for dining al fresco. Don’t know where to start?

Q. My outdoor wood furniture has weathered to a mottled gray, and there is mildew covering it. My wife has informed me that I must make it look like new. If I do a good enough job, I've been told I ...