Post #798368 by HopeChest on Wed, Oct 30, 2019 1:04 PM

Main cleanup is done! The missus did the bar top slats with a toothbrush while I did the main pieces, which I finished night before last. Gave it a good 24 hours to ensure it had dried out nicely. Lightly sanded the canopy piece last night with fine 220 grit sandpaper to take care of the runners and splinters and it's silky smooth. I am just amazed at the overall difference now:

Tonight I will Dremel out the post holes in the canopy frame slightly so the posts can slide all the way in to their proper pegging position (you can see in the first pic that they're just a couple of inches off due to weathering). Then it's time to stain and seal! I'm thinking of staining the thin slats a darker colour than the main bamboo pieces that compose the frame - I think the two-tone appearance would give it a nice bit of depth. Either way, it's gotta happen ASAP as I've been ridiculously lucky with the weather and time is of the essence, hence my working in the dark by porch light after work every night (much to the amusement of my neighbours...).