Alternatively, you could hand sand the sharp edges while sitting, which admittedly, can be a great time to rest your knees(!) Treating Your Iron and Wood Garden Bench

I always favour Ronseal's Total Wood Preserver in clear as it's good quality and if I splash some on the cast iron's paintwork, it won't stain. Pro Carpenter's Tip I know angle grinders can be quite intimidating to remove the bolts. Especially the sparks, so it's vital you wear PPE. However, you could: See note 2 above in bold regarding substitutes for a table saw. Adding a Profile Edge to Your Bench Slats Or, you might love the Worx MakerX mini angle grinder with sanding disks which I used in the same metal gate restoration on intricate detail. BUT, how much rust you need to remove depending on note 5: Note 5 - Other Paints Avoid products that simply don't say preservative or preserver on the label. My Dad informs while staining my fence panels it's just coloured water. Also, once stained, you'll need to keep it up when it fades. Painting Cast Iron Bench Ends

The type of wood you choose will make a huge difference in how long it lasts. You could opt for softwoods and even pallet wood, but it won't be as strong and will require regular treating while out in the elements. First and foremost, you'll need to remove the hardware. This may sound easy, but if your cast iron wood bench restoration starts with it being in poor condition, the screws and bolts may be rusty and seized up. Let me talk you through how I did it and what tools you can use and how long it should expect to take. Tools I Used (+ Suggested Alternatives)

While you have easy access to the end grains (the thirsty bit of wood), I highly recommend to take the time now, to treat your bench slats. Now, remember when I said keep hold of the old wood? Well, now you need to line them up with your newly cut ones and mark where the bolt holes are. When restoring a bench with rusty cast iron, my tip is to think first regarding the type of metal paint you're planning on using. However, I think regular cans of paint are cheaper to use, reduces waste and are less harmful on your lungs and environment. Drilling Holes for Wrought Iron Bench Wood SlatsBUT, if yours is ALL wooden bench slats, then slot them all in first after the initial one and THEN bolt it all up. If not, you'll struggle to get the last few in on an angle and will need to unbolt some. Making Your Park Bench More Stable To give your cast iron bench with wood slats a more professional look, I recommend using a palm router (or router table) to take the boxy edge off using a curved bit. Something my Dad keeps telling me is to look for a rusty old cast iron garden bench with wooden slats around car boots. Apparently, many won't or don't know how to restore cast iron garden furniture. Alternatively, you could try a softwood, like pallet wood if you can source them long enough. BUT, it'll require lots of treating and won't be as strong as a hardwood. Note 2 - Table Saw Substitute Here's my latest cast iron bench restoration project where I prep and repaint the rusty iron framework and replace the wooden slats on two garden benches. You can also follow my how to restore cast iron garden furniture video for a helping hand.