This tutorial will show you how to keep your outdoor bench looking old and weathered!
You might remember when I asked you what I should do with this bench.
I LOVED all of the feedback I got, and was completely inspired by your suggestions.
Especially those of you who suggested that I keep it old and weathered looking, rather than completely paint it.
Duh. Why didn’t I think of that?
Here’s how I added some “racing stripes” {as Mr. Hoff calls them} or “French grain-sack stripes” {as I call them} tutorial to this outdoor bench, while retaining an old, weathered look.
1. So, the paint was decent, but chipped when I got this bench. So I set it outside and let it get rained on a couple of times, which made the paint chippier and more “weathered”.
2. To paint the thick strip down the middle of the bench I started with one piece of painters tape on each side of the bench.
3. Then I added another piece of painters tape.
4. Then I added another piece of painters tape.
5. Then I thought about adding another piece of painters tape. But I didn’t. I painted my nice, thick stripe down the middle of the bench with some left over outdoor paint that we used to paint our front door.
6. Okay. Now we see the nice, thick stripe. I’m not going to lie. I got nervous here because I was worried that the striped looked waaaay to solid and fresh next to the chippy, old white paint. Plus I didn’t know if I would be able to sand it down enough to make it look right. All my worrying was unfounded. It was fine after I sanded it down.
7. I apologize right now. In my state of nervousness, I didn’t take a picture of how I painted the little stripes on each side of the thick stripe. So listen, and listen good: Ā I put one piece of painters tape along the sides of the thick stripe. Got it? I eye-balled about how thick I wanted each little stripe to be, and added one more piece of painters tape, leaving a little gap in between the two pieces to paint a little stripe on each stripe.
8. What’s that you say? You didn’t understand what I just said? Then look at #8. It illustrates where I put painter’s tape to get the small stripes on the side. š Ā I sanded and sanded with medium-grit sand paper, until my blue stripes looked old, worn, and weathered.
9. I added a protective water-resistant polyurethane to the top of my bench to prevent any more weathering. Yes, I know it will get more weathered, but at least it will slow it down a little bit.
And now, after that long tutorial, I’ve come to the part of this post where I’m going to shamelessly show off my cute kid. On the weathered bench, of course.
Deep thoughts of a 2-year old. What do you think she’s thinking about?
World peace? Her hopes and dreams?
How many pieces of chocolate she can get out of her Daddy tonight?
Hard to say. š
Here’s a parting shot of my weathered outdoor bench and repurposed summer planters.
Adios, amigos!
š
Cranberry Morning says
Nice touch to the bench!! And that little one is adorable. Makes a great model, whether she likes it or not. š
April Hoff says
Thanks so much! She’s usually NOT into being my model…but I take pictures anyway! š
Jen Migonis says
love how it turned out! i love when lily is your model. š
April Hoff says
Thanks, Jen! š
Danielle says
Love how your bench came out! What a sweet little one too. x
April Hoff says
Thanks so much, Danielle!
Sami says
That really added a lot! Amazing what a little bit of paint can do.
Melanie {Reasons To Skip The Housework} says
What an amazing backyard! That bench was cute before, but it’s just darling now! Iād love to have you stop by and link up at the Skip The Housework party! http://www.reasonstoskipthehousework.com/skip-housework-24/