Looking for ideas/ assistance on how to refinish an old wine barrel, both wood and metal bands.
The wife had her sister pick one up and now it is sitting in my garage waiting to be refinished and made into a table for the deck. Should look nice when done but I have never attempted anything like this.
Looking to keep the rustic look.

Thanks in advance!
barrel 1 by Jorge Jimenez, on Flickr

barrel 2 by Jorge Jimenez, on Flickr

With all that mold, it would be better way out of your garage for storage and working on.

Shouldn't have to do much, just clean it up and throw a top on it.
I would go crazy on refinishing it but maybe a power wash or something.
Saw that Lowes is selling them in various conditions for planters ~ a full barrel was about $150 and less for cut up versions as I recall.

If you wanted to put some effort into the project, you could:

1] wire brush with the grain all of the wood; stiff hand brush and even a disc on a drill

2] clean with mineral spirits; liberally apply boiled linseed oil to the wood

3] wait a week; then tape off the wood and horizontally wire brush the steel; clean with mineral spirits; paint with black Rust-Oleum

I kinda like it as is, but I’m old school in that you don’t want to damage anything original and thereby decrease its value.
Maybe just a light pressure wash, and a light coat of sikkens if it’s for outdoor use. **not a woodworker or refinisher** just have done a few minor projects and have a boat with a little brightwork.