Porch Bench Makeover

I have always wanted an outdoor bench for my porch. I've been looking for awhile and new benches are expensive and not what I want. I wanted mine to be unique.

Then it happened, the antique mall was having a HUGE sale. 90% of the vendors were on site to wheel and deal. I had my sights set on a bench and I wasn't leaving without it. It was old but not antique and it needed to be refinished. After some back and forth with the friendliest vendor I've met, she was mine.

Most of her finish was worn off, the iron was dirty but thankfully not rusty. She was a good 5 years past due for a refinish.

I carefully disassembled her piece by piece, numbering the slats as they came off. I washed the iron with mild soap and a wire brush. I sanded the wood in my usual way, 80, 120, 220.

The wood was painted with Valspar spray paint in Nautical. I did a light coat, enough to give color but not too much from blocking the next step. Stain over paint. I love this technique. I simply used an ebony stain, wiped it on then wiped it off. It gives the wood an aged look.

For the iron I used Krylon Industrial Tough Coat in Osha White. I had to buy this at the auto paint store. I recommend a strong paint for metals for longer lasting finish. Especially since this is outdoors.

Once the paint was completely dry I used an industrial clear coat on the iron and a weather proofing clear coat on the wood.

Finally with help from my husband she was reassembled.

She turned out beautiful. What a transformation!