Background
My parents have had a couple of 'barrel' type plant tubs for a number of years. They have been stored without being used for much of that time and as a result were looking somewhat scruffy. Although they look like the more tradittional barrel cut in hald they are in fact quite well made custom tubs with specially shaped and cut pieces made to resemble a barrel.
As the wood was still in good condition i decided to repair and refurbish them ready for net years season(2019).
As the wood was still in good condition i decided to repair and refurbish them ready for net years season(2019).
Rather than doing a 'quick and dirty' job of simply rubbing down and varnishing the wood around the metal rings i removed each ring one at a time and sanded and cleaned the wood.
It was best not to remove all the rings at once as there was a strong possibility i would be left with a pile of srap wood.
With the top two rings removed the wooden pieces loosened up and it was possible to get all the dirt and dust out of the joints.
The internal wood was also sanded and cleaned in preparation for varnishing.
The joints were mostly in good condition with only minor damage due to weathering and aging given that they are over 20 years old.
After sanding and cleaning the wood was washed down and left to dry for 24 hours.
The first coat of varnish soaked into the wood as it was very dry leaving a very dull finish.
The second and third coats of varnish brought a much better surface finish which should also be water repellant.
After the top part of the barrels were varnished, the top two metal rings were reinstalled and the bottom one removed. The wood was prepared and varnished before the ring was reinstalled.
After just a few hours of work the barrels are varnished inside and out and ready for next year. Now i just need to think what i am going to put in them, but then i have all winter to think about it!