I ALMOST THREW IT AWAY! Park Bench Restoration. | How to restore a bench.

Had this old bench laying around, decided to give it some new life! Hope you guys enjoy!
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[@WalkersWoodworks]

Be sure to check out my website for other Projects, Blog posts, Plans and Tools I use! Walkersww.com

[@russellmarra8520]

I appreciate the running commentary. Too many of these have no voice over and leave the viewer to guess products, materials, number of coats, etc. Nice job.

[@WalkersWoodworks]

Thank you!

[@WirelessPaladin]

Just looked up your video since I have one of these in the backyard. Bought the house a year ago and this bench was in the woods rotten. Definitely looking forward to giving it new life.

[@coreylane23]

I know this video is old but I'm glad I found it. My wife and I are restoring an old bench we found for my mother inlaw and we didn't know where to start. It has a cast iron hummingbird design on the back with cast iron sides like this one so hopefully it'll look as good as this one when it's fully restored.

[@joemata1410]

Love the step by step method used in your project. Looks great!

[@phyllisbrown5402]

That's beautiful! Glad you didn't toss it. I have two to work on this summer.

[@DarylBambic]

What a great video! A neighbour asked me to restore her bench and it's identical to this one. Thanks for sharing.

[@ianneedham7821]

This is the first video I came across with an iron design in the backrest like the one I'm planning to do. I'm really excited to get after it, thanks for the great video!

[@WalkersWoodworks]

Thanks for watching! Good luck!

[@jamesbarlowjr.3762]

Awesome Job Bud! Looks Amazing! 🤝

[@barryroberts6470]

Very nice Restoration of the Bench and very nicely explained as well. Well Done. Barry (ENG)

[@WalkersWoodworks]

Thanks Barry! I appreciate it.

[@poshko41]

Absolutely beautiful. I’m planning to do the same thing to my grandparents’ old cast iron garden bench. It’s been a rotten mess in my parents’ backyard for as long as I can remember. The original wood is probably not salvageable. I’m planning on using cedar planks. I was thinking of staining, but you’ve actually got me leaning toward using a clear coat now. So many good suggestions in this video. I’m gonna go for the stainless steel hardware too.

[@petermcfadden9426]

Good procedure. I'd never heard of a Forstner drill bit before. Greetings from North Wales, UK.

[@tortioustom]

Thanks, looks great and showing what you used is most helpful

[@davidsecor4113]

Thanks for the education. I have one almost exactly like yours that I found in the woods of the house I just bought. Lots of rust, so lots of sanding and I used a pressure washer to help get off junk.

[@fastfreddy164]

Great video. I tried selling my benches for around $80 . Didn't sell a one so i gave them to all my neighbors. LOL But i enjoyed restoring them.

[@WalkersWoodworks]

Haha yea it's hard to sell stuff sometimes for sure.

[@larryc1964]

I watched your video and you suggested one by three Cedar. I kind of always thought Cedar was a little soft but I went ahead and used it and can’t be happier thanks so much for the info

[@WalkersWoodworks]

I'm glad! Cedar is soft but does really well outdoors.

[@fastfreddy164]

I have been restoring these also. I buy them at yard sales for around $20. I also got some for free .People throw them out when the get old and rotted. I use white oak it is a good wood for outside exposure..

[@josephinetorra5253]

Where do you purchase your white oak?

[@Tupacula]

What about red oak?

[@fastfreddy164]

@@Tupacula red oak is not good for outside applications it will rot and split fast

[@Tupacula]

@@fastfreddy164 thank you.

[@kristineconlan6391]

yes I really like the restoration videos!

[@miamited69]

Just picked up a bench that I am going to restore. I started to sand blast but quickly decided that was not the way to go. Thanks.

[@snipe757]

Very cool project, and it turned out so nicely! I would definitely be interested in seeing more restoration videos like this one.

[@WalkersWoodworks]

Thanks! I will look around and see what else I can do!

[@sharonmacdonald4163]

Loved it! I’m working on restoring an old bench right now!

[@carlmarsteller8649]

I did one of those for a friend, came out so well she found a spot in the house for it. Carl M ... Pa

[@WalkersWoodworks]

That's awesome. It was a fun project for sure.

[@thepaintedllama6391]

I really love this. I have a bench that my husband re did and it's in bad shape now. I have been told by several people to use linseed oil only. Your bench is awesome. Keep doing these restorations!

[@WalkersWoodworks]

Thank you!! I think I will do some more in the future.

[@omardiaz3635]

Wow that came out awesome. I want to do something like this for the front of my home to put on my porch. This gave me a good idea what I’ll be doing. Thank you

[@WalkersWoodworks]

Thanks! Good luck!

[@josephgraham1065]

LOL I have the exact same bench was thinking of doing this just yesterday... Guess I know what to expect now.

[@WalkersWoodworks]

Haha there you go!

[@georgiannburdette1256]

Great video, good explanation of steps required..I appreciate these restoration videos and hope to see more...thanks for posting!

[@WalkersWoodworks]

Thanks so much! I appreciate you commenting. This was a little different video for me and I’m glad you enjoyed it!

[@SonOfPatriots]

This was perfect. I have 2 of these I will be restoring this summer. Great work.

[@WalkersWoodworks]

Thanks!!

[@IEnjoyCreatingVideos]

Great job on the bench restore Brandon! Thank you for sharing the video with us.👌👍😎JP

[@WalkersWoodworks]

Thanks!!

[@IEnjoyCreatingVideos]

Your very welcome Brandon! Have a wonderful weekend!😎

[@calvincornick9353]

Great job. This is exactly like my bench. You gave great tips. I am now ready to start today. I was going to refurbish the old slats, but it’s not too big a job to rplace them. I believe the red wood was a good choice. Thanks for the information.

[@WalkersWoodworks]

It's still holding up well! Glad you enjoyed the video!

[@ginnywomack5144]

Thank you for a great video. I have been looking for a tutorial to restore our benches and this was the one I needed. I appreciate the step by step instructions w/out spending too much time on mundane details. You covered everything I need. Can't wait to start.

[@TheSmapperman]

Nice work. I like the calm, clear directions and comments. Great audio. Looking forward to watching other DIY videos on your channel.

[@WalkersWoodworks]

Thanks so much!

[@matthewmulvaney7549]

Nice job , looks great ! Just finished one for my wife , used sepele ,did a patina finish and it turned out beautifully. The only thing I would suggest is to round over the edges of the top and bottom slats , especially the bottom one so it doesn't cut into the back of your legs. Again , great job !

[@pjacks6]

Thinking about doing this. How would you go about rounding those pieces

[@RichRich007]

@@pjacks6 use a router.

[@j.d.1488]

Nice project. Have a Regalia bench. Needs a restore. Cool video.

[@jimstone3951]

That was a great video. Thank you. I have a park just the same size as yours, but mine doesn't have the same backrest as yours. Mine needs what you just did to yours. Restored

[@WalkersWoodworks]

You can do it!

[@spiritsgal]

Literally working on mine this weekend. Was wondering what to do with all that rust. Thanks for the time save on not using the sand blaster.

[@shiftyshamsk]

Nice job. It's helped me bud doing the centre metal section, the one I bought had no wood just the iron parts and it had me scratching my head. I used a wire brush and a hacksaw to remove the bolts. I then used a tin of black hammerite. Two coats of smooth. I used redwood too with boat varnish. Stainless 8mm coach bolt's with washer's.

[@WalkersWoodworks]

Nice!!!

[@bestofluckusa]

Looked like a pretty easy restoration for someone of your obvious capabilities, though personally I can't even change a fuse. The end result was truly beautiful.

[@lucymccormick1947]

Thanks for the great video. I have the same exact bench in the same original condition. I don't do any woodworking so this will be my first project! I will also have to cut the screws, they are stripped and rusted! I know I will need some new tools for this but looking forward to it. Thanks again this video will help me get it done!

[@kerrirandle8780]

Thank you. Not quite the answer i need as mine didn't come with the metal back so i made it the size i wanted. Now im having trouble figuring out how to fast bottom slats on square. Still great information.

[@TheWardagh]

Great work 👍🏼. Got my hands on one of these today and will be restoring

[@freshoffthesaw8090]

Recycle reuse! Very green of you!

[@WalkersWoodworks]

Lol thanks

[@dam7166]

Awesome Job !!! A lot of work…but the finish product looked amazing !!! 👍🏻👍🏻

[@WalkersWoodworks]

Thank you!!

[@sunkat76]

Great garden bench refurb. Thank you from UK. This is a lovely clear video and demonstration. Not too long and thanks for being honest on what worked and what you would prefer next time. I just need to get 47 rusted coach bolts from the bench, chair and matching table and I am good to go! ;-)

[@WalkersWoodworks]

Thanks so much for watching. I'm glad you enjoyed it!

[@PenaltyBoxWoodshop]

Cool looking bench and awesome restoration!

[@WalkersWoodworks]

Thanks man! It’s nice to have it in the backyard finally.

[@890mikes]

I just picked up one of these, sadly in the same shape as yours. Thanks for some great ideas.

[@WalkersWoodworks]

It's a fun restoration project.

[@liveandletsdive]

Fine job!

[@Danh-uk9fl]

Where do youbuy the 1-3 red wood at

[@terristroh3965]

Excellent! Restoration videos are pretty cool, so I guess I vote for more.

[@WalkersWoodworks]

Thanks!!

[@johnhannon]

Nice restoration! My neighbors put out one with a free sign and I grabbed it. Always wanted one for my back yard. I used cedar decking from Lowe's for my bench. It is about 1" thick and it should hold up to weight.

[@WalkersWoodworks]

Awesome!

[@placey2612]

Help. Im wondering how the cedar decking held weight? (My bench is 4’ and does not have a center brace)

[@johnhannon]

@@placey2612 Mine held up very well. I did have the center brace but I think it would be OK without it. It is just a metal strap. I had to thickness plane the boards for the back to 3/4" so they will fit the back properly.

[@ITWorksSoftware]

I used ospho rust converter, then metal primer, then oil based paint.

[@Highdepthfilms]

That’s an excellent project. Good work.

[@WalkersWoodworks]

Thank you

[@lisaalbrecht7900]

Loved this video! Thanks! Gorgeous finished bench.

[@WalkersWoodworks]

Thanks so much!

[@donnymcarter]

The bench turned out awesome! Nice work Brandon!

[@WalkersWoodworks]

Thanks Donny!

[@harm285]

Nice bench!

[@MrLawandorderman]

With minimal upkeep white oak will be stronger and last at least as long, you have a lot of sap wood showing and it is even weaker and less root resistant. The best wood is thermally modified wood, with no finish it would last 20 years. Made a some Adirondack chairs a while back and to test I left them out winter and summer, cleaned them this year, no finish, perfect. It’s the best kept secret.

[@JordanWoodwerx]

Good job man! I have that same bench, it could use a restoration job too, thanks for sharing!!...Bruce

[@WalkersWoodworks]

Thanks! Appreciate you watching. Better get to rebuilding it! Haha

[@lillynnhalliwill8801]

Gorgeous!!!

[@WalkersWoodworks]

Thank you!

[@tinabranstetter9]

please do add more videos! I have so many restoration projects to do

[@karmatingz5797]

Absolutely love it. Thank you.

[@Everythings_Adjustable]

That turned out very nice 👍 👍

[@WalkersWoodworks]

Thank you!

[@johnmellyn2700]

Ton of work but it was worth it in the end,… looks great !

[@BoosReviews4849]

Thank you this helped me I’m fixing to restore a small one. 😎

[@WalkersWoodworks]

Awesome!

[@FredMcIntyre]

Nicely done! 😃👍🏻👊🏻

[@WalkersWoodworks]

Thank you!

[@95SLE]

If you do another bench use White Oak. Stronger than Cedar and does well in the elements.

[@peteypops]

Thin down epoxy or polyurethane and wipe on with cloth pad, gives a great finish. Side braces are a good addition too.

[@WalkersWoodworks]

Good tip!

[@maryjomusovich3596]

Awesome 👏

[@KnottHeadCustomSawingFabWorx]

Nice job on the resto Brandon! You should do another one for here at the sawmill so we can sit and drink beer after milling!

[@WalkersWoodworks]

Haha I'm sure you have enough awesome chairs around there.

[@maryseifert4750]

Good video...and yes more restore videos would be great. 🙂

[@WalkersWoodworks]

Thank you! I will keep that in mind!

[@luzcornier2406]

Good job

[@hardygirlstudio]

Wow awesome job👍🏽

[@WalkersWoodworks]

Thanks!!

[@AereForst]

Good work. What make of ruler is that?

[@michaeld954]

I had to give you a thumbs up to get you off trip 6 aslo great work

[@Dom-pf8wd]

Great job! Any idea where I can find a center brace?I have the bench ends and though I'm not much of a woodworker I think I can get the slats done, but can't fabricate the center brace.

[@neofactor]

Same for me... Where do you all get a center brace? I was going to just try to use a "Simpson Strong-Tie 36-in 18-Gauge Galvanized Steel Foundation Strap Wood To Wood" since my bench needs it all the way up the entire back side... but I do not know if this is thick enough or even how the odd hole patter would work. I guess I will walk the isles at the big box store looking for some metal strapping.

[@mardigrasqueenofthesouth8847]

i just finish putting one of these together but its wobbly.... :( i am not a pro so not sure if i just need to tighten the nuts or if my wood slats are too thin....

[@leey7h]

got to do my seat too. but first I need a workshop and tools

[@irisrivera7667]

Awesome video, now I know how to restore it

[@lesleycarr1]

This really helpful. Thank you

[@WalkersWoodworks]

Thank you!

[@WalkersWoodworks]

Don't Forget to check out the woodworking plans I have available! - gumroad.com/walkerswoodworks

[@TrainingWheelTrucker]

I'm looking to restore a similar bench but the back has a curved shape to it. Any suggestions on how to duplicate the existing curvature? Thanks in advance.

[@lpaltageek]

Where can a purchase for find the brace for back support? Love your tutorial!!!

[@mariobueno1204]

Nice work.

[@WalkersWoodworks]

Thank you!

[@GrGrMa]

Nice work

[@whatscookinglari]

Beautiful job!

[@WalkersWoodworks]

Thank you!

[@deantaylor9311]

I literally did this same project a couple weeks ago. I used redwood as well and it turned out to be too weak. At 3/4 they were cracking and creaking with little weight on the bench. Have you had an issue with the redwood yet? Mine were 2 by 3/4 and 48 inches long. With the same metal brace in the center.

[@WalkersWoodworks]

Same size here. I haven’t had an issue at all. I’ve sat on it several times and it feels strong 🤷🏻‍♂️

[@deantaylor9311]

Awesome thanks for the reply I was just curious. The wood I used is pretty old and very dry maybe it’s the age. It looked nice I just don’t trust it haha.

[@WalkersWoodworks]

Ah that could be. Plus the finish may be part of it as well.

[@kipwilson3771]

I remember back in the 80's people were building redwood decks. I never used redwood on a deck. My one and only experience with redwood was building a table from a how-to book that recommended using redwood for the project. I may as well have made it out of balsa wood. I never touched redwood again after that and couldn't understand how anyone would trust it for something like a deck. Could be why you never see or hear of redwood decks anymore.

[@WalkersWoodworks]

What finish did you use on it?

[@JackieW-w1o]

I’m starting my bench and need to replace all of the wood. What are the dimensions of each piece of wood?

[@tyronemccoy3102]

Great job…

[@WalkersWoodworks]

Thank you!

[@djslimd5710]

Did you use wet-to-wet way to apply Bristol UV coat?

[@flyinlo1474]

Great video. I am about to do the same project

[@WalkersWoodworks]

It was a fun one!

[@kurtsmusicjourney]

Could you tell me what kind of wood I should buy?

[@WalkersWoodworks]

I used Redwood

[@mikeyevens8207]

What type of metal brace is that? And where can I get one?

[@WalkersWoodworks]

What brace?

[@mikeyevens8207]

The center brace that keeps the wood slats on the seat part from sagging in. Where did you buy that or what’s the name of it so that I can buy a new one for my bench?

[@dpodre]

I need to know this too. I want to restore my bench but the underside brace is broken.

[@loriwoodward2890]

@@dpodre mine too! I can't figure out where to buy this brace! :)

[@robertpautsch5093]

@@mikeyevens8207 Go to Home Depot or any lumber yard and look in the Simpson ties section for metal strips

[@michelleahern1772]

The center brace of mine is missing..can I buy it new one or can I use something else to strengthen bench

[@WalkersWoodworks]

Should be able to make your own just from some 10 gauge flat bar.

[@tristanhunt2758]

Brilliant restoration! Have you ever thought about making a cigar humidor?

[@WalkersWoodworks]

Thanks so much! Someone asked me to before but I would need to research it.

[@giovannad.1794]

Can you tell me where I can find the center brace you used underneath the slats?

[@WalkersWoodworks]

It came with the bench. I'm not sure where you could get them. Sorry.

[@robertpautsch5093]

@@WalkersWoodworks see my reply

[@myfairladyj325]

Beautiful!!

[@WalkersWoodworks]

Thank you!

[@ahoudi]

Great job. What's the satin wood finish did you use? Couldn't find it at the MAS. Thank you

[@WalkersWoodworks]

It's an additive to the Bristol.

[@Tupacula]

How thick were the slats?

[@WalkersWoodworks]

3/4"

[@craigs66]

v nice job - more vids would be good. thanks.

[@gailzavian3605]

Curious how long it took you to complete this project. I have a "collection" of Parkland Heritage furniture to restore - one fancy bench, 3 chairs, 4 flat backless benches, and 3 small tables.

[@WalkersWoodworks]

I stretched it out over a couple days.

[@mmitche5-bx9ms]

Nice!

[@sofiaebarr]

Where do you get the wood for restoring the benches?

[@WalkersWoodworks]

Home depot. It's Redwood.

[@robertpautsch5093]

@@WalkersWoodworks Not in Chicago. Do not know if it is a COVID thing or what but none anywhere to be found