Background
My parents have had a bench in the path for over 20 years. It faces west so in the summer gets the sun for much of the day and is a very pleasant place to sit to read or relax. Over the years it had been maintained, the wood getting a coat of varnish when needed but that was about it. In the summer of 2012 the varnish was flaking quite badly. On closer more detailed examination i found the screws securing the back slats were rusty, the nuts and bolts securing the seat slats were rusty and the paint on the frame was very dull and flaking in places. I decided to completely refurbish the bench and replace all necessary parts so that the bench would be good for at least another 20 years.
The bench was completely stripped down to its individual parts.
As the screws holding the back slats in place were rusted and would not come out with a screwdriver a pair of mole wrenches were used to grip the screw head and turn out the screw.
The bolts holding the seat slats in place were countersunk into the wood and as water would gather there they were badly rusted as were the washer and nut on the underside. Rather than risk damaging the wood getting the bolts out, they were carefully cut off on the underside using a hack saw.
The metal frame was rubbed down, cleaned and painted using Hammerite metal paint.
The seat and back slats were stripped back to the bare wood and then treated to 3 coats of quick drying stain/varnish.
All the parts were left so that the paint and varnish could dry and fully harden before reassembling the bench.
When the back slats were re-installed the old rusted zinc plated wood screws were replaced by stainless steel ones.
The seat slats were re-installed differently to the original set up. Rather than reuse the countersunk holes for the bolts, the holes were covered with a stainless steel washer, a stainless steel bolt, washer and nut were used to fix the slat in place. Smooth head coach bolts were used so that there were no sharp edges to catch on skin or clothing.
As of November 2014 the bench is still in excellent condition with no signs of flaking of the paint or varnish. The seat remains outdoors all year so it experiences all weathers, rain, sleet, snow, freezing frost, wind and sunshine.......and being in Scotland that can all be in one day!
As of November 2014 the bench is still in excellent condition with no signs of flaking of the paint or varnish. The seat remains outdoors all year so it experiences all weathers, rain, sleet, snow, freezing frost, wind and sunshine.......and being in Scotland that can all be in one day!