How To Repair A Bench

Freda Eckel enjoys writing near all types of home and garden related topics, peculiarly DIY projects that save homeowners money.

The "later" photo of the garden bench I restored myself.

Freda Eckel

Make an Old Garden Bench Expect Beautiful Once again

If you have a garden demote or other outdoor furniture that needs a new look, you can make the repairs yourself and save coin. The great thing about outdoor furniture is that we expect it to get a piddling weathered and worn. It does not accept to look perfectly new and pristine. That said, years of exposure and use will take their toll and you also don't want furniture that is splintering, sagging, or gear up to suspension.

Of form, the easiest style to maintain outdoor furniture is to store information technology during the winter months so it won't be exposed to the harsh winter atmospheric condition. If you don't have a place to store information technology, you tin utilize covers made peculiarly for outdoor use.

But what practise you do if you take a garden bench that's too far gone? Below, yous'll observe out how to restore information technology—or a table, or chair—yourself.

About the Demote We Restored

This bench was purchased used, a treasure we found at a local peddlers mall. It was made out of good materials (teak or cedar, with heavy cast iron ends) and was yet strong, although information technology was a bit wobbly and needed new hardware. The cast iron was rusty and the wooden slats needed to be sanded to become years of built-up grime and wear removed. Simply it had potential. It was the end of the season and the cost was correct, so it found a new habitation. We knew it could be beautiful once more.

It took some work, only it was worth information technology. Today, the bench is proudly displayed on our front lawn.

Notice the difference in the colour and expect of the wood earlier and later it was sanded.

Freda Eckel

What You'll Need

• Bones tools to remove the hardware: a screwdriver, wrench, and pliers. Yous may need some WD-40 if there's a lot of rust.
• Something to sand the wood with. An electric belt sander, if you lot take one, sandpaper if you don't. Use 120 or 150 grit at first, then cease with 220.
• Something to remove the dust. Microfiber rags work best.
• Articulate coat. Clear, weatherproof spar urethane (outdoor polyurethane).
• Something to remove paint and rust. A wire bristle brush or an electric 4 1/2 inch angle grinder both work.
• Center protection. (Especially if you lot use the grinder.)
• Spray paint that is rust-resistant and made for metal, in the color of your choice.

Here are some details for a restoration like this:

1. Disassemble the entire garden bench earlier yous practise anything else. This will make the project much easier to complete.
2. Remove all the old hardware—screws, washers, nuts, etc. Programme on replacing information technology, since it may be rusty and new hardware is ameliorate here. You may demand a little squirt of WD-forty to go things loose.
3. Subsequently the bench is taken autonomously, sort and place the wooden slats on a table. Next, you lot'll sand them with an electric belt sander, if you lot have i (sandpaper if you lot don't—this is a lot of wood to sand past hand, but information technology could exist done). Sanding with a belt sander takes about 5 minutes per lath.
4. Grit off all loose particles thoroughly.
5. Apply a glaze of clear weatherproof spar urethane (outdoor poly) to all sides and ends of the wooden slats.
6. While the clear glaze is drying, the cast iron pieces volition need to have the rust and whatsoever chopped pigment removed with a wire bristle brush or an electrical 4 1/2 inch bending grinder. Carefully remove all rust and one-time paint from the cast iron ends. (Wear protective safety glasses, sparks will fly).
7. Grit and remove all loose particles from the iron when finished.
8. If the cast iron was painted, choose a color and spray pigment the ends with a rust-resistant pigment.
9. Allow the wooden slats and the cast irons ends to dry out overnight. When all of the parts to the bench are completely dry, put the bench back together and savour information technology in your favorite shady area of your g.

Y'all take just created a family unit heirloom for the next generation. The bench should be stored during winter months to prolong its new look.

How Much Does It Cost to Refurbish a Bench?

If y'all bought it new, a garden bench similar this ane would cost $300–$400. Our total cost was less than $seventy. Plus we at present have a keen story about the demote, so that makes it priceless.

How to Maintain Wooden Garden Furniture

• Keep It Protected: Reapply a new coat of spar urethane every few years to keep the wood protected.
• Prevent Rust: To avoid rust on the anxiety, identify the bench on stepping stones or another solid surface instead of grass.
• Prevent Grime: Preclude grass being thrown on the bench from mowing and leaves falling and accumulating on the slats to aid keep moisture, grime, and buildup from deteriorating the legs and seat.

With proper maintenance, your bench should last for many years.

Gyre to Go on

Read More than From Dengarden

t.pruitt99140@gmail.com on July sixteen, 2022:

my park demote has diverse length slats for the seat practice reassemble shortest in the rear to longest in the front end

mike.dimichele@gmail.com on September 08, 2022:

I have a cast iron bench seat. At that place is a number stamped on the right and left leg. What is this number?

Art on July 09, 2022:

But finishing the exact same demote. Consult with your local lumber grand as to the proper wood and what they take available. Teak, mahogany, redwood, and ipe are ideal due to their weather resistance and working qualities, but tin can be very expensive. White oak, cedar, cypress, and others are fine only will not last as long.

Slat dimensions I used where:

9 pieces at vii/8" ten 2" x 48"

3 pieces at seven/8" x one one/four" x 48"

note: original boards where iii/four" thick, but the slats where being cut from ane" stock so I opted for thicker slats.

Replaced all screws with stainless steel domed and had the lumber thou chamfer the holes they drilled and routered the peak face of the boards.

Used Watco teak oil for the finish.

gerald beckman on Apr 06, 2022:

where can I find the proper wood for this bench? Is it 1x3? That appears to be the width allow in the cast iron and how thick should information technology be?

Cheves on February 23, 2022:

I have the same bench, I'm doing well-nigh the same but I'm sandblasting the sides, powder coating them and replacing and staining the wood.

As far equally I been reading the bench is french and from the belatedly 1800 early 1900.

Carly on June 23, 2022:

I have this exact demote. I did an antique blueish powder coat on it merely accept to replace all the wood and hardware. Curious if yous know details on the manufacturer/date.

Sharron on May 23, 2022:

Where can I get new slats.? The wood is beyond repair.

Nancy on April 29, 2022:

We're looking to restore a demote identical to this one in the moving-picture show this summer but currently looking for "boots" for the feet in the hateful time as it has rusted our patio. Any suggestions equally to where to find them or do they make them?

We welcome whatever advice as it was passed downward from the parents

R W Merritt on February 25, 2022:

Are these demote ends still bachelor for purchase?

Don on January 26, 2022:

I am in the procedure of restoring a demote similar to the ane you bear witness. The wood was very worn so I purchased 4'-3"x1" quality oak boards from Menard's (our local lumberyard - like to Home Depot or Lowe's.) The project is coming along great! I will besides be cleaning the cast atomic number 26 ends and repainting them. FUN!!!

Lisa Davies on January 05, 2022:

I wonder if wooden bed slats would work as replacements, my daughter's just got new beds for her kids. She gave 1 of the beds away, the other wasn't in such good condition, And so it'due south going, inc. slats. They're from a single bed, but Id similar a shorter bench, maybe accept it indoors. I dont take the metal ends of the demote even so!, the people up the road have a pair in their garden,( lol, Im nosey ) the ends only, no bench, just discarded Im gonna offer them something, If you dont inquire...!

Daryl W. on July 04, 2022:

What kind of wood is preferred - oak, cedar, etc.

Todd on July 03, 2022:

When using an angle grinder to remove rust from cast iron what blazon of disc should I use? I've got two different mode wire brush heads standard and a cone.

Steve on July 01, 2022:

Hi, I'm in the process of restoring my neighbors cast iron/wooden slat bench. This is my 3rd restoration. Most bench slats are 48"10 two i/ii"x 3/4". I cut my ain using various woods, and replacing the bolts, nuts & washers. I've used a reciprocating saw to cut hard rusted bolts. Used different stains for looks and protected with varathanes.

Some cast irons were sandblasted and repainted, this particular set up, the owners wished to keep the original end, but needed to rid some of the rust. Long story-short, I used a greenish scouring pad, and used a medium gloss cleaner & beautifier, brought the luster dorsum. and protect with a articulate spay.

Amy on June 27, 2022:

Smashing job! I have a similar bench and accept to restore it every few years because it sits in total sun. Has anyone seen slats made from the new engineered forest they use to make decks and fences? It'due south supposed to last forever. The broad pieces are kind of expensive, but you lot wouldn't demand much.

TJ on June 23, 2022:

Does anyone know where to get the niggling support braces? I take two benches and a table, but one bench and the table are missing their supports, making them very shaky.

Major N Crispin on June 07, 2022:

I have the exact same metallic stop pieces that you lot show. How wide are the ii summit of the bench wood slats? They await like they are narrower than the other slats considering the holes in the metal ends are closer together at the superlative of the bench than in the rest of the bench. Delight email me your reply. Thank you in advance for your help. Major Northward Crispin

Libby on May 24, 2022:

I too had rusted bolts. I tried some of that nasty spray that loosens them, and a few came off. The top slats I could use a hack saw to saw a notch in the middle and then a hammer to break them and remove the halves out the ends. The bottom slats were bolted onto the frame, and then if the spray rust remover didn't work, a commodities cutter did the fox. More often than not information technology was brute force that took out all my erstwhile rotten wood and rusty bolts.

syd on May 24, 2022:

Hi Tim,

I find a hack saw if really bad will practice the job. Or simply take your time with spanners!

Tim Graham on May 02, 2022:

Hello,

My slats are really rusted on with the bolts. Practice you lot have a play a trick on for removing the rusted bolts?

thanks.

Carol on Apr 05, 2022:

Hi Carol

I have a bench fabricated of cast atomic number 26 and oak by Parkland Heritage - different the photo mine has cast iron pieces in the back. But I'll give y'all the dimensions of mine in example it'south shut to yours.

The wood slats for the seat are 48" (4 anxiety) long ten 2½" wide ten ¾" thick, with a support strap measuring 13/16 wide x 1/16 thick running under the seat. I take had this bench apart several times to refinish and it needs that strap for back up.

I also was on hither looking for a source to buy new wood replacement slats. I did find a website that comes up in my search for the Parkland heritage benches and they had this info:

http://www.dcamerica.cyberspace/faq.htm

Q:How to order replacement parts for my bench?

Telephone call Client Service at ane-800-238-5296. Indicate to the representative you would like an order form for replacement part (s) for your demote. At your request, it will either be mailed or faxed to y'all.

I haven't tried to call them yet and then I don't know if they sell the wood pieces.

Carol on March 24, 2022:

I also but have the cease pieces, I would Dear to re~do this bench but I demand to observe the original dimensions of the forest. If anyone knows where to purchase the replacement wood PLEASE post some info. Thanks In Accelerate!!

Lauren on September 26, 2022:

Hello there. Was in that location an answer on replacement slats?? Thank you so much!

Lisa pirtz on Baronial 08, 2022:

I merely came beyond the aforementioned exact garden bench and wanted some history on it. I would dearest any details you could share like age and its original colour. Mine was painted white and wood is now dominicus bleached. I cannot believe I came across this !!! Thanks lisa

Kelly on October 14, 2022:

Tin can y'all ship me your dimensions besides? I have the ends but not wooden slats. Cheers,

Charles on May 26, 2022:

Kathy,

Give thanks you lot! I too need to purchase slats.

I've looked at lumber stores and home depot etc and they accept wood that tin can be used but it is not beveled and shine...(which makes the sitting experience a wee fleck more enjoyable I think)

Kathy on March 25, 2022:

Is at that place a identify that i can buy the replacement slats? I have an quondam bench with two broken slats, the two in the front. I'g not handy with saws and such so making the slats is not an pick. I merely need to replace the two slats to take a swell garden bench.

Freda Eckel on Baronial 04, 2022:

Hi Henry,

Send me your email address and I tin accept a pic and ship information technology to y'all. I will mensurate the wooden slats for you likewise.

I can be contacted at my profile page, or firstimpressionsdecor@live.com - put garden bench hubpages in the subject line.

Thanks Freda

Henry on August 04, 2022:

I take the side pieces of a bench exactly similar the i yous restored simply none of the original wood. Can you lot give me the dimensions of the wood on yours? I am too unsure of how the two brackets are attached. Do the bolts go through one of the middle slats or are they just screwed in from underneath ? A photograph of the bottom would be helpful.

RTalloni on May 07, 2022:

Cheers so much! I have 3 benches that I want to restore earlier the heat of summer sets in! I'll probably but get to 1 by then but that 1 is almost an exact copy of your instance here. Yous accept encouraged me to go forward with the project and given me some skillful tips. :)

Source: https://dengarden.com/interior-design/DIY-Restore-a-Garden-Bench

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