Timeline

Once we decided to refinish the bench, here was our timeline:

• 3/8 
• Gather Materials
• 3/10 
• Sand bench down
• Spray paint legs
• Add 3 coats of polyurethane
• Brand
• 3/19
• Deliver bench to garden

Final Product

Project Outline

The Bench--Finished Product

OUTLINE

1. Make the final decision: do we refinish bench about the be thrown out or build a new one. Decided to refinish.
2. Identify problems with bench--main issue: mold
3. Make list of materials
4. Gather materials that we need
5. Find protective eye wear
6. Learn how to use power sander
7. Using rotary power sander, sand down the bench to eliminate mold
8. Wash legs to prepare for painting 
9. Remove legs of bench for painting
10. Paint one leg red, other yellow with spray paint 
11. As we let legs dry, add 3 coats of polyurethane, letting it dry 30 minutes after each coat is applied
12. Reassemble bench
13. Brand "Willow Glen High" on the front of the bench
14. Admire our work

2nd coat of polyurethane

Washing the legs before painting

Budget Statement

PROJECT TYPE:   Bench Street Boys	NAMES: Charlie Graff, Royce Hammond
COLUMN A	COLUMN B	COLUMN C
1. PROJECT EXPENSES  ITEMIZE EXPENSES	AMOUNT  (List dollar amount)	TYPE: Cash (c) / In-Kind (i) / Both (b)
Low VOC Polyurethane, 1/8th Gallon	$10	c
Paint Roller	$2	c
Sand Paper	$15	c
Acetone	$1	c
Two Spray Paint Cans	$15	c
TOTAL:	$43	donated by M. Graff

Project Activity Log

Project: Outdoor Slatted Bench Project
Team Name: The Bench Street Boys
Period: 6
Team Members: Charlie Graff and Royce Hammond


March 1:

(Charlie) We first thought we were going to build a bench for the garden. But then my dad told me he was going to throw out a bench in our courtyard that he no longer wanted. Royce came to my house and we looked at the bench and determined the best way to restore it. It was moldy and dirty. We talked to my dad to figure out what we'd need and we finalized the materials list.

(Royce) Charlie and I decided refinishing an old bench was better for the environment since we would not be using new materials.

(Charlie): Found out some trivia regarding our school colors. WGHS was founded in 1950 and we got our colors of Red and Gold from the students of the two schools that came together to form our school: San Jose and Lincoln. Didn't know that! We decided to paint the legs of the bench red and gold.

March 8:

(Charlie) Went with Dad to Home Depot to get the materials. We purchased: Red and yellow spray paint, low VOC polyurethane.  Before shopping, Royce and I researched the benefits of low VOC Polyurethane. Low VOC is better for your health and for the environment  because it emits less fumes. Thought this would be good since our bench will be in our WGHS garden.

March 9:

(Royce) I looked up how to use a power sander because part of the refinishing that we will do is to sand the bench down because it was moldy. I hope Charlie's dad will show us how to use it.

March 10:

Royce Sanding

(Charlie and Royce) This is our big work day. First, we got a lesson from Charlie's dad on how to use power tools. He made us wear eye protection. We took turns and sanded the bench down to get rid of the mold for about 1 hour. After, we added three coats of polyurethane to the bench, letting each coat dry 30 minutes before applying a new coat. It was hot in the sun.

(Royce) I realized too late we forgot to get the "before" picture of the dirty, moldy bench.

3 coats of low VOC to keep our garden safe with low fumes!

Painting the legs red and gold!

 Then, we spray painted the legs our school colors and let them dry. Once they were dry we put them back on the bench.










March 11:

(Charlie and Royce) Our last step to refinish the bench was to brand "Willow Glen High School" on the side of the bench. Charlie's dad helped us with this step. We are pretty happy with the improved bench!