Anyone ever messed with refinishing a Jack Daniels barrel? My father-in-law had an old one that he kept in the back of a storage shed for the last 20 years. It looks pretty rough right now with all of the dirt/stains/etc. I'm wanting to clean it up, inset a glass top, and use it as a drink table downstairs next to the pool table.
Will do. I don't want to do too much too it because I want it to keep a lot of its character, but it definitely needs some attention after sitting in a shed for so long.
http://blundonbourbonreview.blogspot.com/2015/09/diy-how-to-refinish-bourbon-barrel.html?m=1 Just found this link, which is pretty much what I'm wanting to do. The barrel I have looks about the same as his 'before' picture, maybe a little worse. I don't think I'll take the rungs off like he did, because that just seems like a problem waiting to happen. I also don't like the dark stain that he used. Definitely want something lighter.
You might try boiled linseed oil or tung oil. They bring out the natural color. But I agree with you that its stained a little dark for my taste.
If you go linseed oil make sure you just don't throw a bunched up rag of it down in your work shop or garage. They can burst in to flames
When we built our house, I had every intention of staining our fence. Fast forward 2 years and I still haven't done it. My question, at this point is there any benefit to staining it? I know its supposed to help protect the wood, but is it too late now, or does it matter? I don't feel like spending the money to do it for purely aesthetic reasons, but will probably do it if it will still prolong the life of my fence.