How to Reuse Cedar Fence Planks to Build Adirondack Chairs
- 1). Remove nails, screws, staples and other metal fasteners from each board. Use a metal detector, if you have access to one, to make sure you don't miss anything. If it isn't possible to use a metal detector, examine the wood carefully, perhaps with a magnifying glass, in case there are sawed-off nails that might be difficult to see with the unaided eye.
- 2). Clean the wood. If you plan to sand the boards, use a power washer or scrub the boards using a brush and soapy water. The water might raise the grain and create a rough surface that will require more sanding than you'd have done had the wood not been wet. If you hope to avoid sanding, use a stiff wire brush. Scrub with the grain, taking care to get the bristles into all the grooves.
- 3). Dry the wood if you cleaned it with water, or if it was stored outside, by laying the boards flat in a dry, warm place for several days. Moisture in the wood causes it to swell from exposure to humidity and heat. Drying minimizes this effect.
- 4). Plane the wood if edges are uneven. Boards with straight sides are much easier to measure and match, although arm rests can be left in a more rustic state.
- 5). Sand the wood, if desired, by hand or with a power sander. To keep a rustic look, use a finer-grain paper and sand only enough to smooth the raised parts of the boards to prevent splinters. If a smoother finish is desired, begin with a large-grain paper for the first sanding. Switch to finer-grain sandpaper for subsequent sandings, until the desired finished has been achieved.
- 6). Paint or stain the wood, if desired, although cedar does not require protection from the elements. Use clear wood sealer if you want a natural look but want to keep the wood from weathering to a gray color.
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