DIY Construction Advice Thread

2 parts warm water to 1 part white vinegar, should scrub out nice.

 

Just spray bleach water on it and let it sit.

 

I would spray pool shock on it and let it sit.

 

I'd say it's a trap for Buddhists.

 

I had thought of that.

 

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.

 

Post pictures of it when you finish it.

 

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.

 

I like it already, only thing that would make it better is if it was a Jim Beam barrel.

 

That would be tough. As dried out as those barrels are, you definitely don't want to get it too wet.

 

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.

 

I like the way the linseed looks. I may go that route.

 

I look forward to seeing it.

 

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

 

That would be pretty cool.

 

So throw the bunched up rag in the middle of the driveway, grab a drink, and wait for the fun.

 

Till it burns the house down

 

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.

 

It will still help it last longer