****** - Verified Buyer
4.5
Material = A, design = A, Assembly = B, Comfort = A, finishing = C-I'm an experienced DIY home owner so I opted for the 'unstained' bench in order to choose my own color. I would not do that again. I like that the bench comes mostly assembled. There are four main pieces: seat, back and two ends. So I was happy that I didn't have to assemble, board by board, the seat and back. [Relatively] easy to assemble if all the pre-drilled holes line up. Mine were just slightly misaligned in a few spots but I managed fine. I could see where there might be worse alignment depending on quality control and that could require re-drilling.So, I opted for the unfinished bench in order to choose my own stain. I used an exterior, brush-on stain. Because the seat and back slats are all in place, with gaps between each, as you brush the stain on, it naturally drips/runs onto the other side of the slats. So, make sure you start on the visible/exposed side of the slats so when it drips/runs onto the back/underside, it won't be visible. That is to say, while you stain the front side, those drips/runs begin to stain the other side, so when you're ready to do that back side, it's possible to have visible drip/run spots/streaks as you finish staining. If you're fast, you can minimize that. I suppose too, if you use a 'spray on' stain, you can avoid that altogether. I had existing stain in a can to match other projects that I'd done. Anyway, it was a little messy. I then spray sealed the bench after drying with spar varnish. Spraying if definitely easier. It looks and feels good.Save the cardboard box it comes in to use if assembling on concrete or other rough/dirty surface, especially if you buy the pre-stained bench. You can also use the cardboard when staining or spray sealing. If you had to remove any screws, they are torx-head screws. Once assembled and finished, the arms flat and wide enough to set a bottle, can or glass on.
