Things You Must Do When Refurbishing a Used Wooden Crate
Wooden crates have been around for quite a long time. You can use them for transporting things such as farm produce and stationery. They are also handy in the construction industry for transporting and storing materials. Crates used for these purposes are prone to being banged up, accumulating dust and dirt, staining and splintering. Regular use can thus wear them put and render them useless in a matter of days or months.
When this happens, you can refurbish them for a fresh look so they can keep serving you for longer. Here are four things you must do when refurbishing your wooden crates:
Get the Right Material
Any successful do-it-yourself project begins with getting the rights materials for the job. The essence of refurbishing a wooden crate is to remove dirt, grime and restore the natural look of the wood. You should also do it to assist the wood in standing up to the rigours involved in storage and transport operations in your site. You need a primer, paintbrush, a rag or stiff brush, newspaper, air blower paint and painter's tape. This is everything you need to get your wooden crate back in shape.
Clean the Crate
Begin by cleaning the crate thoroughly to remove any dust, dirt and oils that have accumulated on the surface of the wood over time. Use your clean rag or stiff brush to scrub the surface of the wood and get it sparkling clean. If the bristles cannot get into the crevices on the crate, use the air blower to shove the dust out of the crevices.
Check for Mould and Mildew
Mould and mildew are also notorious for ruining the outlook of a wooden crate. They can make the surface of the crate appear whitish and have a pungent, musty smell. In such a case, you must clean your wooden crate as discussed earlier then spray it with a little solution of vinegar and water to remove the mould and the musty smell.
Apply Primer and Paint
After cleaning your crates, the last step is to coat the crates for optimal protection. Use your paintbrush to apply the primer, which helps the paint to stick firmly onto the surface of the wood. For optimal results, use a white primer if you intend to use a bright colour on the crates. A grey primer does well if you are planning to use a dark colour on the crates.