How To Restore A Wooden Garden Bench

With a little elbow grease and patience, most of your grotty garden furniture can be given a new lease of life. This picnic bench only cost us £50 from B&Q but it’s lasted us 5 years so far and if treated each year will last many more.

This year I decided to try something a little different and applied this light oak oil finish from Cuprinol. It cost about £15 for 1l and should protect the wood for at least another couple of years. Bear in mind this bench sits out in the rain all year round, it’s money well spent.

Table of Contents

How to restore a wooden garden bench – step-by-step guide
What finishing options are suitable for this type of wooden bench?
Building a garden sofa from Iroko wood
- Related

How to restore a wooden garden bench – step-by-step guide

Step 1. Clean the bench

I’d recommend cleaning the bench with a pressure washer before you get started. This should remove any dirt, grim and cobwebs to make the next step a little easier.

You can also use a damp cloth, broom and hard bristle brush to wipe down the bench.

Allow the bench to fully dry before any further work.

Step 2. Sanding the wood

To start things off I sanded the entire bench with an orbital sander. If you don’t already own an orbital sander you can buy one for about £45. B&Q or Wickes tend to have a reasonable selection on offer, especially on their websites.

I don’t normally buy JCB products but I was on a budget and this was one of the cheapest at the time. It’s a tool I use very often now and has lasted me very well so I’d be happy to recommend this to anyone looking.

It makes the majority of sanding jobs much easier, just make sure you have plenty of spare pads. I purchased a multi pack from eBay which saved a fair bit compared to buying in a store.

To sand the whole bench took just over an hour and I used 2 x 80 grit and 2 x 120 grit sand pads. Remember to always sand in the direction of the wood grain.

To finish off I lightly sanded with a mouse sander with a 240 grit pad. This left a nice smooth surface to apply the oil.

Step 3. Wipe with a damp cloth

With all the sanding completed it’s important to wipe down the whole bench with a damp cloth to remove all the sand dust. A nice clean surface will allow for easy application of the oil and leave a much neater finish.

Now you’re halfway to restoring your wooden garden bench!

Step 4 – Protecting and colouring your wood

Wood preservatives can easily be applied with a medium size brush or a lint-free cloth. For a job like this, I tend to use a brush and apply a reasonably thick layer. This allows the oil to soak right into the wood grains for deep protection. Using a lint-free cloth is handy for a cleaner, smoother finish if that’s what you are going for.

What finishing options are suitable for this type of wooden bench?

Here’s a quick look at some of the most popular options when it comes to protecting your outdoor furniture. There are five types of finish suitable for this type of wooden bench, each with their own unique benefits. Have a think about where your furniture will be kept and select one of the following finish es.

Varnish or Polyurethane

Applying a varnish or polyurethane coating creates a protective layer on the wood surface. These finishes can help prevent moisture damage, UV fading, and general wear and tear. Choose a product specifically designed for exterior use and follow the manufacturer’s instructions for application and reapplication.

Recommendation:

Ronseal Exterior Yacht Varnish Satin – £12

Exterior Wood Paint

Painting your wooden furniture with exterior-grade paint provides a durable and protective barrier against the elements. You can transform the look and feel of your garden bench whilst also protecting it from the elements. Look for paints labelled for outdoor use and suitable for wood. Even decking paint can be great for this type of project.

Recommendation:

Ronseal Matt Decking Paint – £33

Wood Stain

If you prefer to retain the natural look of the wood while still offering protection, consider using a wood stain. Stains can enhance the color and grain of the wood while providing some resistance to moisture and UV rays. Choose an exterior-grade stain and follow the recommended application process.

Recommendation:

Cuprinol Softwood & Hardwood Oak Wood Stain – £17

Waterproofing Sealant

Applying a waterproofing sealant or wood preservative can help protect the wood from moisture, rot, and insects. These products penetrate the wood fibers and provide long-lasting protection. Make sure to clean and dry the furniture thoroughly before applying the sealant, and follow the instructions on the product.

Recommendation:

Cuprinol Complete Clear Treatment – £21

Teak Oil or Linseed Oil

If your outdoor furniture is made of teak or another hardwood, using teak oil or linseed oil can be a good option. These oils penetrate the wood and provide moisture resistance. Regular applications are required to maintain the protective effect.

Recommendation:

Cuprinol Clear Teak Wood Oil – £22

As you know, I decided to use a type of oil produced by Cuprinol. This product has been specifically designed for use on hardwoods but it seems to be perfectly suitable for this spruce bench also. Which is a softwood.

Again make sure you apply any type of finish along the grain and pay extra attention to the end grains and around the feet. One coat can be sufficient, but I would recommend applying two coats for added protection.

Step 4. Allow to dry and apply another layer of oil or stain

Leave to dry for 3-6 hours before applying another layer of your preferred finish.

Finally

Sit back and enjoy your new-looking furniture. Don’t try to take on this project in the rain, it’s not going to work.

And here is the before and after:

I’ve restored many pieces of garden furniture now with great results. I’ve tried a number of methods, all with different results. To get the best out of your specific piece of furniture try and research what type of wood it is and how to get the best according to the type of wood and where it will be located and stored.

Building a garden sofa from Iroko wood

I recently built my own garden sofa using a type of wood called Iroko. I’ve not used this type of wood before but it’s known for its oily texture which is a great natural water repellant. Woodshop Direct recommended using Exterior Osmo UV 420 to protect this type of wood.