Thread: Garden Bench Restore

Can’t see why not but I’d be tempted to use a primer before my top coat for extra durability and I’d be tempted to use a hardwood slat rather than treated pine if you can access it.

I agree with Potts on both using primer and hardwood. Treated pine will not look great with varnish or oil. Hard wood decking would be a good cost effective way to get the slats.
Regards
John

Thanks.

Looks like hardwood decking the way to go. Available in the right dimensions so will save cutting.

Is there a cost effective option for primer & paint? The cast iron ends are relatively small surface area.

Would primer spray and paint spray work? Usually use brush paint but spray seems quicker and decent finish.

I did a similar one a about 10 years ago. Killrust black on the ironwork, merbau wood and decking oil. It's been in the weather ever since and is still in good nick.

i think i would use automotive primer/paint/clear for the metal parts, repco and autobarn seem to have a good selection of rattle cans. supercheap auto not so much, not sure why

I did this one a while ago, using Karri decking boards from the big green shed, finished with Organoil outdoor furniture oil. I bought 130mm wide boards, then ripped them in half for the wide slats & to around 30mm for the narrow ones at the top & front. The cast iron sides were sprayed with etch primer then epoxy enamel with spray cans.
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I need to find another pair of sides, as I had a brain f@rt & bought twice as much timber as I needed.

Thanks. Great tips. That's the same finish I'm looking for.

One last question.

The previous slats were 1000mm. Can I safely get away with going longer?

The metal braces don't seem significantly structural.

Originally Posted by dmuk

Thanks. Great tips. That's the same finish I'm looking for.

One last question.

The previous slats were 1000mm. Can I safely get away with going longer?

The metal braces don't seem significantly structural.

If you're using hardwood longer shouldn't be a problem. I think mine are 1800 minus a bit for trimming. What I did do was run an aluminium strap from behind the top slat, down the back and under the seat, with a screwinto each slat just to give a bit of extra support. Probably not necessary, but hey.

Mine's 1500mm long & is fine with two 90kg people on it and only slight flex if I sit in the middle. Forgot to mention in my previous post that after ripping the wider boards, I went over the edges with a 4mm round over bit in the router, to match the existing edges.

I restored a bench 2 years ago. I just used a wire wheel on the drill and cleaned up the metal. This made a nice shinny gun metal finish which I liked so I just coated it with clear metal lacquer. I used some red oak for the slats and painted the wood with vinegar/steel mix to make it gray. I made the slats thicker than the original, hoping they will last longer and not flex as much. Turned out pretty nice.
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