eBay Green Team

Step 1: Remove the Seat

I unscrewed the bottom of the seat and popped it out, setting is aside for later. First, I needed to address the wood.

Step 2: Sand to Prepare the Wood Surface

Using a buffer pad, I lightly sanded all of the wood. Since I'd decided to paint the piece black I didn't need to labor too long, 20 minutes was plenty.

Step 3: Apply the Primer

I chose to rent a power sprayer (about $60 for the day) for this piece because I wanted to get a nice, even coat... and it makes everything go much faster. When you use the sprayer, hold the nozzle about one foot away from the surface and use even, fan-like motions.

Step 4: The First Coat of Paint

After the primer is completely dry, it's time to paint. My paint is virtually free of VOC's. VOC's (volatile organic compounds) are what give paint that toxic smell, so it's best to try to avoid them all together.

Step 5: A Second Coat of Paint

After another 24 hours (or however long it takes for the coat to dry), I applied another coat of paint. You can continue to apply paint until you have the desired depth of color.

Step 6: Reupholster the Seat

First, I removed the staples on the back with a slotted screwdriver and pliers. Next, I laid out the fabric to make sure it was smooth. I placed the fabric on the cushion and pulled taut. Make sure to fold the fabric neatly around the corners and use plenty of staples to fasten the fabric to the back of the seat.

Step 7: The Final Gloss Coat

Using a low-VOC, water-based lacquer I brushed on a final clear glossy coat. Don't worry if it looks milky when you first apply it, it dries clear (think Elmer's glue).

Step 8: Reassemble & Admire the Job!

The final step was to place the seat back on the bench and fasten with the original screws. Ta-da!

For the full step-by-step guide, click here