Got my hands on a used bourbon barrel, if I wanted to use it as a table on my porch do I need to do anything to weatherproof it? Thanks and cheers!
That would depend on how much it will get wet from rain. If it's going to get wet frequently and no direct sun or wind to dry it quickly then a good coat of polyurethane or spar varnish will help protect it from developing mold or mildew from the moisture.
You're probably better off giving it a couple coats of poly or varnish and covering it in the winter or moving it out of the elements if you can. Letting moisture sit too long in the rough dry areas of the wood's grain will produce mold or mildew.
I usually go with boiled linseed oil + turpentine for such projects. Of course, I don't mind the look when wood ages. Check the 'net for the ratio - I got with 1:1 - that sounds best for your application (and the safety precautions). Unlike other coatings which flake and might need sanding after a few years and/or create dark/light spots, you just recoat as needed. It dries quick and is an easy early spring project or anytime it's needed. Pretty sure I read that brewers used pure "raw" linseed oil* to coat the exterior of their wooden vessels, applied with handfuls of straw (!). *Since you're not worried about contact with beer (boiled = harmful chemicals), boiled works quicker and is easier to find.
I'm now thinking I like the greyed wood look that will happen naturally. Thinking of getting a tarp for storage
Keep rotating the table sides toward the sun and you'll get the grey eventually, as well as the best chance to keep it dry when uncovered.
Rolling out the barrel for a new season on the porch. Thanks to everyone on this thread for helping make this possible! Cheers!
