Part 3 of 4: Staining & Sealing Your Barrel [DIY Series: Refurbishing Your Whiskey or Wine Barrel]

[@ronaldwoody9440]

Just picked up a Elijah Craig barrel for $30! in great condition, no rust on the hoops! Can't wait to use these instructions to clean it up and protect it!! Thank you!

[@gihonda127]

I have watched this video several times, and every time I notice something that I didn't see before or do before. Thanks for the thorough info.

[@carolineotto7804]

You do a excellent job of explaining a lot of different points and tips, well done, thanks!

[@gavva2010]

These vids are great, & what a bloody nice bloke the presenter is! This is EXACTLY what I've been looking for, nicely done.

[@Feed-your-Fish]

Love that provincial stain. Just followed all these steps for a some good looking barrels

[@user-rc8ll9zb3d]

thanks, that was simple to understand and really helpful. thanks.

[@charlieghague]

Really cool videos and great explanations. Think I actually like the lightly sanded, unstained version better.

[@elizabethmaclean4009]

What do you use to preserve the metal hoops?

[@billfeeser2372]

Would like to know how to rehydrate wood stays that have dried and separated with spaces between stays.

[@keithm163]

Did you do anything to prepare the inside of the barrel

[@krickit024]

I recently purchased a used whisky barrel to use for a project inside my home. I’ve already put 4 coats of clear on the inside and it still smells like whiskey. How would I get rid of that smell?

[@fshbon77]

What was the sealer that you used for the outdoor barrel?

[@JBond-fm1wb]

Can you skip straight to sealing a whiskey barrel if you want to keep it exactly the way it came from the distillery? I want to keep it as close to “as is” as possible. It will be indoors. Also, it appears some mold is growing on the top, any ideas to kill it prior to sealing? Love the videos!

[@paulholmes6882]

Hi I've just brought a half of a barrel and then ordered a plastic liner which is a inch to big. My question is it possible to add another strip of wood to barrel I realize would have to yake off steal bands Kind regards Paul

[@Retrolandmark]

How much stain do I need for 1 barrel that size?

[@mikekidd5397]

When you are using wine barrel staves for other wood projects that have been waxed on the inside, how can you finish the waxed side?

[@debora19681]

Have you ever done a black barrel?

[@MysticBarrels]

Hey Debbie! I have not, but sounds cool!

[@macutox90]

Should I make holes at bottom of barrel for drainage or should ibkeep it seal when refurbishing.

[@jimmydeanh]

I’d like to know this too

[@kevintrojanowski1937]

Do you HAVE to add sealer if you are going to keep the barrel inside? I was thinking of just staining the barrel to change the color. Thanks!

[@alwinthomas4822]

Hi, great video! i am going to use this process to refinish several 1/2 oak whiskey barrels that are going to be used as the footing/planter for a backyard pergola system. I have been looking for some guidance as to whether I should seal the inside of the barrel before fixing the post and pouring concrete. Thoughts?

[@MysticBarrels]

Hey Alwin! Thanks for the comments. Sounds like a fantastic project and idea! No, I wouldn't worry about sealing the inside of the barrel before pouring the concrete. Good luck!

[@iamfcon]

Although MB replied, I should mention I'm doing the same, using a half barrel as a planter. I'm planning on sealing the inside of the barrel just because if there's going to be plants in it, I don't want the wood to rot over time due to contact with the soil and all the moisture retained in it. Just seems common sense if you want to seal it so it doesn't warp or rot, then do the inside if you plan on filling it with flowers.

[@michaelwaters5168]

If you are concerned about rot from damp soil, you can purchase MacCourt polyethylene pond inserts at Lowes. They are available in 9 gallon and 20 gallon sizes, and not too expensive. I just built four 3/4 wine barrel planters to anchor posts for patio lights. I cut a square holes in the 9 gallon pond inserts, slipped them over pressure treated posts and sealed up the gaps where the post and inserts meet with silicone adhesive. My wife has planted a variety of flowers in the inserts and they seem to be doing great although we will have to be careful not to over water since there is no drainage. I'm thinking of either adding gravel to the bottom of the insert or placing a drain tube that would utilize the bung hole.

[@GardengalAAA]

@@michaelwaters5168 don’t add gravel at the bottom. All that does is raise the water table and you risk root rot. Plants do not want different substrates at different levels. Drain holes are the way to go… 100%. To those suggesting sealing the inside, those chemicals will leach into the planting soil, so I would opt against it unless you are going to use a liner. I was reading that unless the wood is kiln dried, it will shrink as it ages and dries and that the moisture (liquid) in the barrels actually hydrates the wood and keeps it plump. once the liquid (wine/whiskey) is removed, and the wood dries, those slats shrink and no longer stay together. So I would opt to plop garden soil on the inside of the barrel and water away but I would keep the exterior sealed and leave the interior raw. But what do I know.

[@michaelwaters5168]

@@GardengalAAA I wound up filling the barrels with concrete up to the bung hole in order to secure the 4x4 posts so I could place string lights across my patio. The pond liners that I cut and slipped over the posts allow drainage into the barrel and out of the side hole which is particularly good when it rains. The barrels weigh a ton but they certainly are not going anywhere!

[@micklimprecht4393]

I have one of the Jack Daniel’s whiskey barrel half’s from HD. Looking as using as a base for a coffee table. Would like to keep some of the rust on the rings. When I seal the barrel with poly will that keep that rust from coming off when touched or staining the carpet?

[@MysticBarrels]

Hello! Yes, polyurethaning over the hoops also has the advantage of sealing in that rust and protecting the carpet!

[@adamwhiteoak]

I’m refurbishing my 1st ever barrel at the minute .. ( as a complete novice ) it’s a new hobby.. I was hoping someone could help me? At which stage of the process should i engrave or have it artistically marked. Idea is to have songs lyrics marked on it Would this be done before the last seal? Thanks ahead

[@MysticBarrels]

Hey Adam! I would clean hoops, and then sand, and then do the engraving. Then stain and seal. You may just want to test to make sure the stain is light enough so that it doesn't hide the engraving. Hope that helps! Good luck.

[@adamwhiteoak]

@@MysticBarrels top man ... reply is much appreciated! Learning as I go but enjoying it and your videos are ace Take it easy fella All the best

[@tde2019]

If Im finishing my barrel from the Buffalo Trace distillery and want to keep all the original writing, do I skip to sealing the barrel? Would even light sanding take off all the barrel markings I’m looking to preserve? Thanks!

[@jonhunt8270]

Is this what you did? Planning on doing this to a Jameson barrel but want to keep that stamp.

[@carlvarner709]

I did one wine barrel and it came out just perfect. However on doing the second barrel after applying spar urethane it seems like some white watermarks are coming through the finish. Almost looks like salt stain. Any idea what might be causing this?

[@christopherwidener5358]

How did you make that barrel cradle?

[@MysticBarrels]

Hey Christopher! Oh, just some trial and error. Its all 2x3's. Started with the pivot joint, and then added the stops, and reinforced it with some cross braces. Nothing too fancy!

[@pokeysdad17]

where do you get the oil based stain? here in ny you can't buy it.

[@MysticBarrels]

Hey Tyler! We have the oil based stains at local hardware stores here in PA. Lowes, Home Depot, Ace. Hope you're able to find them! If not, the water based will work well for you. Thanks for watching! - Mike

[@pokeysdad17]

@@MysticBarrels i'm surprised. i was in home depot in honesdale pa and couldn't find any. they had only 1 can of spar urethane, but it was gloss. the girl told me they haven't been able to get it. i did use water based stain but i prefer oil based like back in the day. back then i was told they couldn't sell it anymore because of enviro. concerns.

[@MysticBarrels]

@@pokeysdad17 Looks like you can order it online. Amazon and some other places have it. Good luck! Thanks.

[@volfire457]

Random question. I painted my metal bands but didn't use a sealer. Can/should I just paint the sealer over the bands? It's for indoor use only.

[@MysticBarrels]

Hey Daniel! That polycrylic sealer can be used over most paints, so yes, we would apply the sealer right over the bands. If you're using a different sealer, I would just make sure it is compatible with paints. Good luck!

[@windmillacres679]

I am interested in using my barrel as a compact sink vanity. Is it possible to coat the outside of the barrel with an epoxy coating?

[@MysticBarrels]

Hey! Yes, I believe you can epoxy coat the outside of the barrels. However, I've never tried it so can't give too much advise or recommendations. Sorry! - Mike