HOW TO REVAMP GARDEN CHAIRS

Take DIY action and bring your retro seats back to life. Get to it!

Gather your supplies

• Metal-framed garden chairs with timber slats

• Dremel rotary tool with metal grinding bit, flap wheel bit and drill bit, to suit

• Bondall Ranex Rustbuster

• Hardwood timber slats, to suit

You’ll also need

Drop sheet; gloves; goggles; face mask; hammer; metal punch; medium- and fine-grit sandpaper; soft cloth; small paintbrushes

(2); medium paintbrush; Dulux Weathershield in Matt White; Dulux Metalshield gloss in Oolong; bolts with nuts, to suit; adjustable wrench

Here’s how

STEP 1 Put on gloves, goggles and face mask. Spread out drop sheet. Flip chair upside down and place on drop sheet.

STEP 2 Fit Dremel with grinding bit. Cut bolts securing rotten or broken slats.

STEP 3 Tap slats with hammer to dislodge them from metal frame, if necessary. Slats in good condition can remain on frame.

STEP 4 Cut and remove bolts where slats may have already fallen away.

STEP 5 Use hammer and punch to gently tap bolt out of hole, if required. Discard old slats, nuts and bolts.

STEP 6 Remove flaky paint and debris on metal frame using Dremel fitted with flap wheel bit.

STEP 7 Sand remaining timber slats with mediumthen fine-grit sandpaper.

STEP 8 Wipe slats and frame with cloth. Using small brush, coat metal frame with Rustbuster. Let dry for 24 hours.

STEP 9 Using medium brush, paint remaining slats with exterior paint. Let dry.

STEP 10 Using medium brush, paint the replacement slats with exterior paint. Let dry.

STEP 11 Using small brush, paint frame with metal paint. Let dry.

STEP 12 Drill holes in replacement slats, to suit. Attach slats to frame using nuts and bolts. Tighten with wrench. Touch up paint.